This mushroom is easily identified by its slender structure, greasy looking and frequently somewhat wrinkled cap (Photo A) very distinctive slender tap roots that extend into the ground (B). The cap is about 1 – 6 inches wide. It is convex to bell shaped when young but becomes broadly convex to flat as it ages but does keep a blunt point. The gills are attached to the stem (B,C). The flesh is white and thin. The stem is 2-10 inches long.
It is common in the uplands of Fontenelle Forest. It is found mainly on decaying debris of hardwoods but not often found on logs or stumps unless they are well decomposed. It is usually found in the spring through fall.
Although this is a relatively easy to identify mushroom, it is a taxonomic mess. It has been split, lumped and reclassified into several groups.It has a blood pressure lowering effect in animals. Also some studies have shown it to have anticancer and anti-fungal activity. Also known as Oudemansiella radicata and as the rooting collybia.
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