Synonyms: Agaricus polychrous, Flammula polychroa.
Common name: Variable Pholiota.
Pholiota polychroa is a species of fungus that grows on decaying wood, typically coniferous logs. In East and Central Texas, it fruits from summer to fall, producing caps that range from 2-6 cm in diameter, with colors varying from yellow-brown to reddish-brown, often with a metallic sheen. The gills are crowded, adnate to slightly decurrent, and pale yellow to golden brown. The stem is typically 3-7 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm thick, with a ring or annulus that may be faint or absent. This fungus can be found in wooded areas, including pine and hardwood forests, where it grows solitary or in small groups on stumps, logs, and other decaying wood.
Mushroom Pholiota polychroa growing from a side of a pine log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, July 15, 2018
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of a mushroom Pholiota polychroa on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, July 15, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Scalycap mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 15, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close up of scalycap mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 15, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of a scalycap mushroom Pholiota polychroa on Lone Star Hiking Trail south from Stubblefield Campground in Sam Houston National Forest. Huntsville, Texas, October 13, 2018Walk In Camp Sites, Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cap of a scalycap mushroom Pholiota polychroa on Lone Star Hiking Trail south from Stubblefield Campground in Sam Houston National Forest. Huntsville, Texas, October 13, 2018Walk In Camp Sites, Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of a mature Pholiota polychroa mushroom or may be wood oysterling Deconica horizontalis(?) on a small fallen rotten mossy tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 28, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Cap of a mature Pholiota polychroa mushroom or may be Deconica horizontalis(?) on a small fallen rotten mossy tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 28, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Scalycap mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 11, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Scalycap mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen oak(?) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 11, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen twig on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 6, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Caps of mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen twig on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 6, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Gills of a mushroom Pholiota polychroa on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 6, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Underside of variable Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota polychroa) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 21, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Gills of variable Pholiota mushroom (Pholiota polychroa) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 21, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Variable Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota polychroa) on an oak log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 21, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Pholiota polychroa under a microscope at low magnification collected near Caney Creek in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 21, 2022
Spores of mushrooms Pholiota polychroa under a microscope at low magnification collected near Caney Creek in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 21, 2022
Side view of mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen oak(?) branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 4, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Mushrooms Pholiota polychroa on a fallen oak(?) branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 4, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United StatesPholiota polychroa mushrooms were observed growing on various substrates, including pine logs, fallen branches, and rotten trees, in East and Central Texas. The mushrooms were found in the Sam Houston National Forest, specifically on the Caney Creek section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, near Huntsville and Montgomery. Observations were made over several years, from 2018 to 2022, with multiple sightings in different seasons. The mushrooms exhibited characteristic scalycap features, with gills that were observed and photographed. Some observations noted uncertainty in identification, with possible confusion with Deconica horizontalis. Microscopic examination of spores was also conducted, providing further confirmation of the species. The mushrooms were found to grow in clusters on fallen wood, with caps and gills visible in various stages of development.
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