Identification
Clusters of yellowish caps densely covered with upturned dark scales; gills yellowish → rusty. Flesh smells radishy and tastes bitter. Grows in large tufts on stumps and roots.
Why it is dangerous
Gastrointestinal poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps. Beyond that, the flesh is bitter and woody — it spoils food even in small doses.
How not to confuse it
| Feature | Golden scalycap | Common scalycap |
|---|---|---|
| Cap color | golden-rusty, dry | yellowish, sticky |
| Scales | recurved, sparser | dense, shaggy, upturned |
| Taste | mild | bitter |
| Spore print | rusty | rusty — useless for separating |