Pholiota aurivella

Scientific name:  Pholiota aurivella (Fries) Kummer
Derivation of name:  Aure- means "gold" or "golden" and
vell- means "fleece." Aurivella, then, means "golden fleece."
Synonyms:  P. adiposa; P. squarrosa-adiposa.
Common name(s):  Golden Pholiota.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Agaricales
Family:   Strophariaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic/parasitic;
typically in clusters on dead or living deciduous or conifer
wood; July through November.  
Dimensions:  Caps 4-15 cm wide; stipes 5-7.5 cm long
and 5-15 mm thick.   
Cap:  Sticky to slippery/slimy; yellow to yellowish-orange;
surface covered with large, flattened, wine-red scales.
Gills: Attached; yellowish at first, becoming rusty-brown.
Spore print: Brownish.
Stipe:Dry; colored like the cap or paler; scaly below the
ring, whitish above the ring.
Veil: Fibrous, whitish, partial veil leaving an evanescent ring or
zone of fibers on the upper stalk.
Edibility: Although some people eat it, it is not
recommended as there are reports of gastric upset following
ingestion.
Comments:  Miller indicates this species is similar in every
way to Pholiota limonella except for smaller spores.

More information at RogersMushrooms.com:   


Figure 1. The viscid, slimy cap surface and flattened scales
are quite evident in these specimens. Photo © David Work.

Figure 2. Typical clustered growth habit. Photo © David
Work.

Figure 3. Note that the scales may not be completely
flattened. Also, scales can be washed off in a rain which
can complicate the identification process.
Photo © William Roody.