Flammulina velutipes
The velvet shank is an orange-capped gilled mushroom that grows in clusters on dead wood in winter. Its stem is velvety and darkens towards the base. Its spore print is white; it can be confused with the deadly funeral bell growing in similar places.
A wood-decomposer on dead or dying wood, especially elm, as well as ash, beech and oak.
Found throughout Europe (October to February) and in North America.
Identification suggestions (from the community or from AI) and the information here may be wrong; this app never confirms that anything is safe to eat. Do not consume wild plants, mushrooms or seafood without expert confirmation. Nothing here is medical advice.
It was long thought to be the same species as Asian cultivated enoki, but DNA shows they are distinct.
Never eat a wild mushroom without showing it to an expert
No mushroom should be picked for eating based on this app or a photo. Deadly species look very like the ones foragers look for, and symptoms start hours later. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison centre or emergency number right away (in Türkiye: 114).
Velvety stem darkening to brown-black towards the base; no ring
White spore print; the deadly funeral bell, clustering in the same places, has a rusty brown print and a ring
Light orange cap, darker towards the centre
Clusters on dead or dying elm, ash, beech and oak wood in winter
Not known to be poisonous — still never eat it
The rungs scientists use to place living things by how closely related they are — from broad to narrow.