Species library · Mushrooms

Shaggy Scalycap: poisonous

Pholiota squarrosa

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

Shaggy 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 August to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Shaggy Scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa)

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by steve b · iNaturalist

When Shaggy Scalycap appears

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

Where it grows

Shaggy Scalycap is usually found in Woodland.

Look up Shaggy Scalycap in the app

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

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Shaggy Scalycap: common questions

Is Shaggy Scalycap poisonous?

Yes. Shaggy 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 Shaggy Scalycap appear?

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

Where does Shaggy Scalycap grow?

Shaggy Scalycap is usually found in Woodland.

What can Shaggy Scalycap be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly galerina, Sulphur tuft, Sharp-scaly pholiota. 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