Pholiota molesta

Pholiota molesta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Strophariaceae
Genus:	Pholiota
Species:	P. molesta
Binomial name
Pholiota molesta A.H. Sm. & Hesler

Pholiota molesta Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex or flat
	Hymenium is adnate or adnexed
	Stipe has a cortina
	Spore print is brown
	Edibility is unknown

Pholiota molesta is a species of mushroom in the family Strophariaceae. It is a pyrophilous fungus, meaning that it grows in burned areas after fires. ^[1]

Description

The cap of Pholiota molesta is about 1–5 centimeters in diameter, and can be convex or flat. It starts out orangish brown or pinkish tan, and becomes browner as the mushroom gets older. The stipe is about 1.5–7 centimeters long and 0.5–1 centimeter wide, and is light in color, with a cortina. The gills are pale, becoming brown with age. The spore print is brown. ^[2]

Habitat and ecology

Pholiota molesta grows on burnt soil, often in firepits. ^[3] It often fruits in large numbers after forest fires. ^[2] It fruits during spring and fall. Several other species of Pholiota , as well as Crassisporium funariophilum , grow in the same habitat. ^[3]

References

1. Matheny, P. Brandon; Swenie, Rachel A.; Miller, Andrew N.; Petersen, Ronald H.; Hughes, Karen W. (2018-11-02). "Revision of pyrophilous taxa of Pholiota described from North America reveals four species—P. brunnescens, P. castanea, P. highlandensis, andP. molesta". Mycologia. 110 (6): 997–1016. doi:10.1080/00275514.2018.1516960. ISSN   0027-5514.
2. Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 129. ISBN   9781941624197.
3. Stevens, Michael Wood & Fred. "California Fungi: Pholiota molesta". www.mykoweb.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.