''Hymenopellis radicata'', commonly known as the deep root mushroom or the rooting shank, is a widespread

agaric An agaric () is a type of fungus fruiting body characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus. In the UK, agarics are called "mushrooms ...

readily identified by its deeply rooted stalk ( stipe).

Description

The

cap A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. Caps typically have a visor, or no brim at all. They are popular in casual and informal se ...

is medium to large, flat, grayish or yellowish brown and streaked, with a central hump and has a size of between 5 and 12.5 cm. The surface of the cap is sticky or slimy when moist, with the underside displaying wide white gills, or

lamellae Lamella (plural lamellae) means a small plate or flake in Latin, and in English may refer to: Biology * Lamella (mycology), a papery rib beneath a mushroom cap * Lamella (botany) * Lamella (surface anatomy), a plate-like structure in an animal * ...

. The brittle stalk tapers at both ends and is nearly white above to brown below the soil. The stem grows into a long deeply rooting tap root until it touches a piece of wood. This may grow up to 20 cm in length in some specimens.

Similar species

Similar to ''Oudemansiella longipes''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q54371194, from2=Q1550286 Physalacriaceae Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America