The Velvet Rollrim (Tapinella atrotomentosa) is a big, heavy fungus of pine stumps, and its stem is unlike any other: short, thick, usually off-centre and covered in dense, dark brown velvet. The large cap, up to 25 cm across, is reddish-brown to dark brown and finely velvety, with a strongly inrolled margin that gives the rollrims their name. Underneath, the yellowish-brown gills run down the stem, forking and rejoining near it.
It grows on stumps and around the bases of conifers, especially Scots Pine, from July into November. Although it has gills, it is related to the boletes, and it rots dead wood rather than partnering living trees.
The Brown Rollrim (Paxillus involutus) is smaller, grows on the ground, has no velvet on its stem and is seriously poisonous. The Velvet Rollrim itself is bitter and has caused stomach upsets, so it should not be eaten either.
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Distribution
Widespread and frequent
Habitat
On stumps or at the base of conifers, in particular Pinus sylvestris
Etymology
Tapinella is of uncertain origin: it is usually linked to the Greek tapeinos, 'low', though it may instead mean 'carpet'. atrotomentosa is from the Latin ater, 'black', and tomentosus, 'felted', after the dark velvet on the stem.
Associates
Pinus
Cap
A large cap, 10-25 cm across, convex at first and rounded, then expanding to funnel-shaped. The surface is velvety, reddish-brown to dark brown and darkening in patches, with an inrolled margin when young.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Convex, Expanded, Infundibuliform |
| Surface | Tomentose |
| Width | 10 - 25 cm |
| Margin | Inrolled |
Gills
The gills are decurrent and crowded, yellowish-brown to orange-brown, and darken with age. They branch and rejoin near the stem, forming a network-like pattern where they run down it.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Decurrent |
Flesh
The flesh is buff, tough and paler in the cap, and sometimes turns lavender when cut. It has a mild smell and a bitter taste.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Odour | Mild |
| Taste | Bitter |
Stem
Squat and robust, usually offset to one side of the cap
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 - 10 cm |
| Width | 40 - 50 mm |
| Texture | Tomentose |
Spores
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Type | dextinoid |
| Shape | Ellipsoid |
| Ornamentation | Smooth |
| Size | 5-6 x 3-4.5 μm |
Classification
- ↳ Phylum: Basidiomycota
- ↳ Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
- ↳ Class: Agaricomycetes
- ↳ Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- ↳ Order: Boletales
- ↳ Family: Tapinellaceae
- ↳ Genus: Tapinella
Synonyms
- Agaricus atrotomentosus Batsch
- Paxillus atrotomentosus (Batsch) Fr.
- Paxillus atrotomentosus (Fr.) Fr.
Reference Sources
T. Læssøe, J. H. Peterson (2019) Fungi of Temperate Europe Vol. 1. Princeton University Press.
G. Kibby (2020) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe Vol. 1. Geoffrey Kibby.
Genus Tapinella
No other species found in this genus.
