Pholiota aurivella
Pholiota aurivella, commonly known as the golden pholiota, is a species of fungus in the family Strophariaceae.
Description
The cap is up to wide, bright to golden yellow, viscid when young and with relatively dark scales. The stem is up to 15 cm long, pale and is scaly closer to the bottom. It is sticky or slimy when moist. It reportedly tastes like unsweet marshmallows.
Similar species
Pholiota limonella and its subspecies are very similar, seeming to differ only in the spores.
Habitat and distribution
It grows in clusters on live or dead trees. It is found in native forest of New Zealand, southern Canada, and in the United States. It is frequently found in the American West and Southwest, especially in late summer and fall.
Edibility
Most field guides list it as inedible, and though it has sometimes been consumed, it or similar species contain toxins that cause gastric upset.