Honey Mushroom lookalike? Help please

[orlov556]

So I am in northeast PA and me and the wife went foraging yesterday.

We went to our usual spot in the state gamelands where we had some luck last

year. I know it is a little early but i thought with the cool air and

rain we might get lucky. Low and behold, we found a treasure trove

of mushrooms, all the same type, in various stages of development. I dont

think that these are honeys, but they do have some of the classic

features. They were growing from the base of a dead oak tree, in a straight

line out into the woods. There were dozens and dozens of them. Does

anyone have any idea what they might be?

There was a ring around them, but it appeared to be a shade of orange.

The inside was brownish, not sure if it was because they were old or

what. Any help is appreciated!

[Dave W]

These are a species of Cortinarius, probably C. armillatus. The rings on the ones seen here are not membraneous, but rather just bands of slightly raised reddish color around the stalks.

"Corts" have rusty brown to rusty reddish spore prints. Honey Mushrooms --species of Armillaria-- have white spore prints.

[orlov556]

These are a species of Cortinarius, probably C. armillatus. The rings on the ones seen here are not membraneous, but rather just bands of slightly raised reddish color around the stalks.

"Corts" have rusty brown to rusty reddish spore prints. Honey Mushrooms --species of Armillaria-- have white spore prints.

Thanks for the reply! I did a little reading on them and they are a late summer mushroom. Does the fact that these are out now help to pinpoint when other mushrooms might start coming? Also, if you can suggest a book or other reference on the types of mushrooms we have up here, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Dave W]

Here in Northeast PA there are two mushroom clubs. In Luzerne County we have The Wyoming Valley Mushroom Club. Further north and east there is the Delaware Highlands Mushroom Club. Joining a club provides an excellent resource for learning the local mushrooms.

Books: Mushrooms of Northeastern North America by Bessette. Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachian Region by Roody. Audubon field guide by Gary Lincoff. For a beginner, Mushrooms of Pennsylvania by Bill Russell provides an introduction to some of the more common species.