Extract from Wikipedia article: Pholiota velaglutinosa is a species of agaric fungus in the family Strophariaceae. Found in the western United States, it was described as new to science in 1968 by American mycologists Alexander H. Smith and Lexemuel Ray Hesler. Fruit bodies have sticky reddish caps measuring 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) in diameter. The stipe bears a gelatinous ring.
AI-generated description
Pholiota velaglutinosa is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Strophariaceae. It is characterized by its medium-sized cap, typically 3-6 cm in diameter, which is initially convex and later becomes flat, with a sticky to glutinous surface that is often wrinkled or veined. The cap color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. The gills are crowded, narrow, and pale yellow to golden brown. The stem is slender, typically 4-7 cm long and 0.5-1 cm thick, with a ring or annulus that is often faint or absent. In East and Central Texas, Pholiota velaglutinosa has been found growing in clusters on deciduous logs, stumps, and tree roots, particularly those of oak and elm, from late summer to early winter. The fungus is widely distributed in the region, with reports from numerous counties, including Travis, Bastrop, and Houston.
Slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) around a pine tree near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Viscous caps of slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) near a pine tree near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Side view of slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Underside of slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Cross section of slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of slimy-veiled Pholiota mushrooms (Pholiota velaglutinosa) collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 12, 2023
Mature mushrooms Pholiota velaglutinosa near a pine near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 3, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of Pholiota velaglutinosa in East and Central Texas reveal the fungus grows near pine trees, specifically around Pole Creek on the North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest. The mushrooms have viscous caps and a slimy veil, with a distinctive underside and cross-section. Spores collected from the site provide further insight into the species' characteristics. Mature mushrooms were observed in November and December 2023, suggesting a possible seasonal growth pattern. The fungus appears to thrive in this specific environment, with multiple sightings near pine trees in the same area. Detailed observations of the mushrooms' morphology, including side views and cross-sections, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Pholiota velaglutinosa in this region.