Gateshead Birders

Photo © George Simpson
January 2009 Shibdon Pond

Occuring in deciduous woodland - especially on dead elm trees, the Velvet Shank is one of the few fungi which grows in winter. In America its called by mushroom-pickers the 'At-least-something-is-out-in-January Mushroom'. he stem is dark brown to black, and distinctly velvety to the touch (hence the name). There is no ring on the stem.
This fungi is edible, although it could be easily confused with similar looking species species. It is popular in the east and in Japan they are cultivated commercially and are known as 'Enoko-take'.

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