Fauna
Fungus

Golden Pholiota

Pholiota aurivella

Also known as Golden Scalycap, Golden Scaly Pholiota

Golden pholiotas emerge in vibrant, glistening clusters high on living hardwoods or decaying logs during late summer and autumn. Their bright yellow to rust-orange caps are cloaked in a thick, gelatinous slime and dotted with prominent reddish-brown scales. As saprotrophs and weak wound parasites, they play a vital role in decomposing deadwood and returning essential nutrients to forest soil.

Wood-decayingForest DwellerSpore-bearing
Golden Pholiota reference1 / 7
(c) Fluff Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fluff Berger · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecaying Hardwood, Cellulose, Lignin
Predators
  • Fungus Gnat Larvae
  • Slugs
  • Mycophagous Beetles
ThreatsRemoval of mature deadwood and intensive forestry
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests on trunks and logs
Life spanFruiting body 1–2 weeks; mycelium persists for years
Classification
  1. FamilyStrophariaceae
  2. SpeciesPholiota aurivella
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Photography: Use natural diffused lighting to capture the glossy, sticky texture of the cap.
  • Habitat Inspection: Check branch scars and trunk cavities high on mature broadleaf trees.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…