Chroogomphus rutilus    (Schaeff.:Fr.) O.K. Mill. 

common name(s) : Copper Spike, Slimy Gomphidius 

New classification: Basidiomycota/Agaricomycotina/Agaricomycetes/Agaricomycetidae/Boletales/Gomphidiaceae  
Former classification: Basidiomycota/Homobasidiomycetes/Agaricomycetideae/Boletales/Gomphidiaceae  

synonyms: Gomphidius rutilus, Gomphidius viscidus 

edibility : discard

photo gallery of  Chroogomphus rutilus
photo gallery of  Chroogomphus rutilus potential confusions with  Chroogomphus rutilus toxicity of Chroogomphus rutilus genus Chroogomphus  

The cap is reddish brown, coppery brown, with a central umbo. The cap surface is smooth, viscid or sticky.

The stem is white or orange towards top, brown-grey towards base, with a short-lived ring zone.

The flesh is yellow to red-orange, turning pink when exposed to air; its taste is mild, nutty or slightly astringent; the odour is not distinctive; its texture is fibrous.

The gills are white then grey brown then sepia or blackish, decurrent, distant . The spore print is olive brown. This species is mycorrhizal. It grows on the ground, on a rather calcareous soil, with pine.

The fruiting period takes place from June to December.
Dimensions: width of cap approximately 7 cm (between 2.5 and 15 cm)
  height of stem approximately 9 cm (between 4 and 15 cm)
  thickness of stem (at largest section) approximately 9 mm (between 2 and 20 mm)

Chemical tests : none.

Distinctive features : Red-brown to vinaceous-brown cap, umbonate, viscous when damp then shiny when drying; concolorous stem with ring zone, noticeable thanks to spore deposits; very decurrent gills, thick and distant, easily removed from cap; under pine trees

Chroogomphus rutilus is quite rare and localised in the forest of Rambouillet, and is frequent, more generally speaking .
here should be the distribution map of Chroogomphus rutilus in the forest of Rambouillet
Above : distribution map of Chroogomphus rutilus in the forest of Rambouillet



page updated on 14/01/18