Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 2534267

Pholiota limonella

Pholiota limonella

Also known as Lemon Pholiota, Lemon Yellow Pholiota, Sticky Scalycap

Bright lemon-yellow caps covered in sticky, brownish scales make Pholiota limonella a striking sight on decaying hardwood logs. Growing in dense, cascading clusters on beech, maple, and birch trees, this wood decaying fungus plays an important role in forest nutrient cycling. Because it appears visually identical to several close relatives, microscopic spore measurement is required for definitive species identification.

Wood-decayingYellowCluster-forming
Pholiota limonella reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Dead Wood
  • Lignin
  • Cellulose
Predators
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Slugs
  • Beetles
ThreatsHabitat loss and clear-cutting of hardwood forests
HabitatsHardwood forests, decaying logs, stumps, and living tree trunks
Life spanFruiting bodies last 1–2 weeks; mycelium lives for years
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyStrophariaceae
  3. GenusPholiota
  4. SpeciesPholiota limonella
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Many wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Examine Cap Texture: Look for a slimy gelatinous coating over reddish-brown cap scales on fresh specimens.
  • Check Spores Microscopically: Measure spore dimensions under a microscope to distinguish from near-identical relatives.
  • Observe Growth Habitat: Search for dense clusters emerging from wounded trunks or decaying hardwood logs.
Related species
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