Species library · Mushrooms

Golden Scalycap: poisonous

Pholiota aurivella

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Golden Scalycap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Golden Scalycap (Pholiota aurivella)

Photo: (c) Fluff Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fluff Berger · iNaturalist

When Golden Scalycap appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up Golden Scalycap in the app

In the Forage app, Golden Scalycap has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Golden Scalycap: common questions

Is Golden Scalycap poisonous?

Yes. Golden Scalycap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Golden Scalycap appear?

Golden Scalycap usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

What can Golden Scalycap be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly galerina, Shaggy scalycap, Sulphur tuft. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits