(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
Loading...
Spotted Toughshank
Inedible 
Autumn 
Summer 
A late Summer to late Autumn mushroom that lives by decomposing and feeding on leaf litter and other organic matter. Although not poisonous, the Spotted Toughshank is very bitter.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Spotted Toughshank (EN), Coeswydn Fannog (CY), Monetnica Plamista (PL), Foltos Fülőke (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Rhodocollybia maculata |
| Synonyms | Collybia maculata |
| Season Start | Aug |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 10 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 7 |
Cap
White. Starting convex but eventually opening out to flat with the edges upturning. Orange/red/brown spots and patches appear as the mushroom ages.
Gills
White to very pale pink, very crowded and free from the stem with brown spots appearing as it ages.
Stem
A plain white stem which can be ‘rooting’ and can develop brown spots.
Flesh
White and firm.
Habitat
Mainly found with Pine and coniferous trees but can grow with deciduous trees or on heaths.
Possible Confusion
There are several white mushrooms that could be confused with the Spotted Toughshank, the most dangerous of which are the Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa), pictured, or the white variety of the Deathcap (Amanita phalloides var. alba). Although the two mushrooms have skirts, these could be eaten by slugs or damaged by the weather. Be very cautious when identifying mushrooms with white caps, gills and stem.
Spore Print
Off white to pale cream. Ellipsoid.
Taste / Smell
Bitter.
Frequency
Common
2 comments for Spotted Toughshank
Hi, if asked in interview, about differentiation between poisonous and edible mushroom, what appropriate answer can we give?
Education is the only answer. There are no rules or folklore that will keep you from finding and possibly consuming poisonous mushrooms. Learning about the character of families of mushrooms is a great help in identifying mushrooms, helping you stay away from poisonous varieties. Unless you are 100% sure of your identification, do not consume any mushroom.