Redleg Toughshank

Collybia erythropus

banner
Appears in
Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

  • About

Redleg Toughshank Collybia erythropus (Pers.) P. Kumm. (illustrated 55% life size) Cap 1–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened and often wavy at margin, centre sometimes depressed; pale tan when moist, drying to pale buff or cream, but remaining tan at the centre, drying wrinkled. Stem 40–70×2–4mm, often compressed; dark red, becoming paler towards the apex, the base covered in dark pink, woolly hairs. Flesh white in the cap, reddish-brown in the stem; smell mushroomy or slightly rancid. Gills free; white to pale buff. Spores 6–8×3.5–4¼, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Cap cuticle of repent, coralloid hyphae. Habitat in leaf litter of deciduous woods, often in tufts; autumn. Frequent. Edible but not worthwhile. Note this may move to a new genus Gymnopus.