Common in a crowd – The Sulphur Tuft toadstool
There’s a extremely good chance of you finding a large group of Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasiculare) at just about anytime of the year (especially from April to December). These beauties are extremely common in the UK and populate all types of woods and forests.
They are Saprotrophs (feeding off decaying matter) and appear in small tufts or large groups on dead/rotting wood (deciduous or coniferous), tree stumps or underground buried decaying wood or roots. The Hypholoma group of fungi like these are commonly known as ‘Brownie’.
When found in great numbers they are indeed a great sight to behold. When in their prime, the convex cap has an amazing bright sulphur-yellow colour with darker orange tones towards the centre. Remnants of the pale yellow veil (initially covering the gills) can be found at the edge (margin). The stem, which is often curved, share a similar yellow-brown colour (sometimes greenish) though dirty brown towards the base with a fibrous appearance. The gills , when younger, appear green-yellow which act as a good indicator in identification.
They almost look good enough to eat (and do have that ‘mushroomy’ smell), but unfortunately are not edible and will most likely give you stomach ache, vomiting and similar gastrointestinal symptoms. But the almost identical Conifer Tuft (Hypholoma capnodes) on the other hand – is edible – but less common throughout the year. As the name suggests, this species only grows in coniferous woods, in fact only always found on rotting tree stumps.
There is a ‘taste test’ you can make to identify between the two. Simply taste a small sample from the cap, making sure you don’t swallow! If it is bitter in taste, it is a Sulphur Tuft but if it is mild, then it is a Conifer Tuft.
Please note that you shouldn’t try this taste test with other mushrooms or toadstools you find (unless you know exactly what you’re dealing with. ie. Russula or Lactarius) as nasty results can come from tasting unknown species!
And if you do find some Conifer Tuft, I’ve heard they’re best steamed or used in a soup. I have no idea what they taste like!
The Genus HYPHOLOMA (Brownies): Characteristics to look out for: • Often yellow/orangy brown caps. |
They are not very good when steamed or in a soup. But they are nice pickled.
Thanks for the tip Sergy. I’ll remember that for the future. (Note to readers: This foodie tip is for the ‘Conifer Tuft’ and NOT the ‘Sulphur Tuft’).
Thanks again.
The Conifer Tuft is very common where I live in Finland, appearing very late in the season and I like it in soups, but it is indeed very mild. I believe the recommendation comes from the fact that the caps stay nice and firm when cooked, they don’t go soggy or soft at all.
Thanks for the feedback Sylvi. I don’t find many Conifer Tuft at all so your experience with them is invaluable and very welcome. Thanks again.
John