Velvet Shank - Flammulina velutipes

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Alternative names
Winter Fungus
Description

Cap convex, then flattened, smooth, often slimy, orange yellow to orange brown, and can be up to 10 cm across though often less. Stem yellow orange above, dark brown and velvety below.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In clusters on decaying wood of deciduous trees.

When to see it

Found from autumn until winter and unlike most other toadstools it can withstand hard frosts. 

UK Status

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    13 January 2006
  • Peter Smith
    Leicester, Cardinal's Meadow
    04 January 2024
  • Alan Semper
    Stathern wood
    27 February 2015
  • David Nicholls
    Altar Stones
    28 November 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    03 January 2012
    stem is diagnostic
  • Peter Smith
    Thurcaston Mill
    14 January 2012
    white spores visible
  • David Nicholls
    Altar Stones
    28 November 2013

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Physalacriaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
145
First record:
13/11/2004 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
05/01/2025 (Markham, Marian)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    All Saints Chuch, Sapcote
    23 November 2006
  • David Nicholls
    Western Park
    12 January 2006
  • Graham Calow
    All Saints Chuch, Sapcote
    23 November 2006
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    19 January 2008
    On dead wych elm
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    13 January 2006
  • David Nicholls
    Sheet Hedges Wood
    02 January 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Groby Pool
    03 February 2005
  • David Nicholls
    Altar Stones
    28 November 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Groby Pool
    03 February 2005
  • David Nicholls
    Thornton Reservoir
    13 November 2004
  • David Nicholls
    Rutland Water
    31 December 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Rutland Water
    31 December 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Church Walk, Sapcote
    03 January 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Jubilee Walk, Leire
    11 January 2012
  • Peter Smith
    Thurcaston Mill
    14 January 2012
    Growing on horse chestnut
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    19 January 2008
    On dead wych elm
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    19 January 2008
  • Lostash
    Swithland Woods
    18 October 2012
  • Alan Semper
    Stathern wood
    27 February 2015
  • Alan Semper
    Stathern Wood
    27 February 2015
  • Alan Semper
    Stathern Wood
    27 February 2015