Gymnopilus dilepis
Magenta Rustgill
Status:
Rare, but probably increasing.
From 'gymn' meaning naked and 'pilus' means cap.
Cap:
3-9 cm
Stem:
3-9 cm
'with scales (in two)'
Description
A distinctive species and a rare species that is probably increasing in the UK. It was accidentally introduced from SE Asia and it maybe part of a complex of species so there maybe some variation within specimens found.
Mainly occuring on 'warm' woodchip, it is a species that may occur in greenhouses or hot houses through the winter, otherwise outdoors it is an autumnal species.
Smell
Not distinctive.
Season
Mainly Autumn but because it is found on 'warm' woodchip it can be found through Winter too.
Habitat & Distribution
On woodchip, a rare species but probably becoming commoner. Most records are from the South and East, these specimens were from Cheshire.
Edibility
Unknown.
Confusion Species
Spores
6-8 x 4-5µm, ellipsoidal.
Spore Print Colour
Orange-brown.
Plums and Custard (Tricholomopsis rutilans) is a similar species and can sometimes be found on coniferous woodchip. The two species are easily told apart from the lack of ring on Plums and Custard whose spore colour is also white, not orange-brown like the Magenta Rustgill.