Silky Rosegill - Volvariella bombycina

A large toadstool with a fibrous/hairy cap varying from white to pale yellowish. The gills are free and crowded; they are white initially and then turn pink as the spores mature. There is a large, scaly grey-brown volva at the base of the stem.

Good quality photos required showing distinguishing features. Please state what it was growing on.

On standing dead wood, often emerging from knot holes or wounds.

June to October.

A decomposer growing on dead wood.

Widespread across southern and central England, occasional in Wales and northern England, little recorded in Scotland.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.