Velvet Shank - Flammulina Velutipes - A Winter surprise

Velvet shanks or flammulina velutipes

Over the last few days there have been very strong winds, and generally wet and cold conditions. These are the typical characteristics of an Irish Winter, which result in people locking themselves in to get comfortable with a log fire, or retreating to a public house with friends to discuss the latest financial crisis that might be griping the nation. I was in need of a little exercise, fresh air and an escape, and decided to brave the elements and revisit the birch forests to hunt around for signs of new life brought forth from the depths of Winter. Patches of snow and ice were still frozen on the grass and dark clouds laden with heavy showers did not deter me in my quest.

The forest was unusually quiet and patches of thick verdant moss extended along corridors where only the sun could reach. Elsewhere, there was a world of darkness, decay and the remnants of brown leafy matter. In a small opening the sun illuminated an old birch stump and upon it two velvet shank mushrooms, glistening as the precious rays caught their caps.

Not much grows during the Winter months, however the velvet shanks or flammulina velutipes are one of the few varieties of fungi to brave the ice and snow. The examples I found had caps which were approximately three to four centimeters in diameter, and had a dark brown stem which was about five centimeters long. The cap was almost flat and was a deep orange ochre colour fading to a pale yellow along the edges. I have added a picture of a mushroom which I cut and turned over to get a view of the gills, which are arranged in a wonderful complex pattern that only nature could create.

View of gill structure of the velvet shank or flammulina velutipes

My identification is not complete and is somewhat premature as I have not tested them for a spore print in order to obtain a positive identification; to that end the velvet shank or flammulina velutipes should leave a white spore print. Once satisfied with my identification I shall begin to collect and dry them for soups and experiment with them in the old reliable and warming stew.