''Chroogomphus rutilus'', commonly known as the brown slimecap or the copper spike, is a species of

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from t ...

in the

Gomphidiaceae The Gomphidiaceae are a family of mushroom-forming fungi in the order Boletales. Unlike other boletes, all members of Gomphidiaceae (except for ''Gomphogaster'') are agarics, having gills instead of pores. Member genera include ''Chroogomphus'', ...

family. First described scientifically as ''Agaricus rutilus'' by

Jacob Christian Schäffer Jacob Christian Schäffer, alternatively Jakob, (31 May 1718 – 5 January 1790) was a German dean, professor, botanist, mycologist, entomologist, ornithologist and inventor. Biography From 1736 to 1738 he studied Theology at the Universit ...

in 1774, it was transferred to the genus ''Chroogomphus'' in 1964 by Orson K. Miller, Jr. The fungus lives mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhizally with ''Pinus'' species, and is found in Europe and North America. The basidiocarp, fruit bodies are edible mushroom, edible but not highly regarded. ''Gomphidius viscidus'' is an old synonym of this mushroom.

References

Edible fungi Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Fungi described in 1774 {{Boletales-stub