Mushroom Type Edible  
    
Latin Name Flammulina velutipes 
        
Maximum height (CM) 3 
Maximum width (CM) 10 
    
Smell Faint. 
Gills White becoming pale yellow. Joined to the stem. Not crowded. 
Spore Print White. Elliptical. 
Stem Yellow at the top becoming dark brown. Velvety to the touch. 
Cap Widely convex but due to the proximity of neighbouring caps the shape is usually distorted. Orange yellow/brown, darker in the middle. Smooth and slimy. 
Flesh Orange brown. 
Habitat Growing on dead stumps and trunks of deciduous trees, particularly elm. Sometimes found on diseased living trees. Can grow in huge tiers and groups. 
Taste Good but the skin on the cap should be removed before cooking. 
Possible Confusion The Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma fasciculare is slighty similar but unlikely to be confused with the Velvet Shank as the sulphur tuft is sulphur yellow throughout. 
Description Common. Capable of surviving being frozen solid this f