MushieSulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)
Poisonous
Sulphur tuft is a bright yellow, bitter-tasting clump on rotting wood, with greenish gills. It is poisonous and sometimes mistaken for honey fungus.
| Scientific name | Hypholoma fasciculare |
|---|---|
| Other names | Grünblättriger Schwefelkopf · Hypholome en touffes · Falso chiodino |
| Family | Strophariaceae |
| Season | Mar – Dec |
| Habitat | Dense clusters on dead broadleaf and conifer stumps and logs |
| Range | Worldwide in temperate regions |
| Spore print | Purple-brown |
| Smell | Unpleasant, bitter |
How to identify Sulphur tuft
| Cap | Sulphur-yellow with an orange-brown centre, 2–7 cm |
|---|---|
| Underside | Yellow, then olive-green and finally purplish-brown gills |
| Stem | Yellow, fibrous, with a fibrous ring zone |
| Smell | Unpleasant, bitter |
| Spore print | Purple-brown |
Is Sulphur tuft edible or poisonous?
Poisonous. Causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Rare cases are severe or fatal.
Sulphur tuft look-alikes
Honey fungus has a white spore print and a proper ring.
When does Sulphur tuft grow?
Sulphur tuft is typically found Mar – Dec in dense clusters on dead broadleaf and conifer stumps and logs. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Sulphur tuft edible?
No. Sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) is poisonous. Causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Rare cases are severe or fatal. Do not eat it.
What does Sulphur tuft look like?
Sulphur-yellow with an orange-brown centre, 2–7 cm. Underside: yellow, then olive-green and finally purplish-brown gills. Stem: yellow, fibrous, with a fibrous ring zone.
What are the look-alikes of Sulphur tuft?
The main look-alike is Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea). Honey fungus has a white spore print and a proper ring.
When and where does Sulphur tuft grow?
Sulphur tuft is usually found from Mar to Dec. Habitat: dense clusters on dead broadleaf and conifer stumps and logs. Range: Worldwide in temperate regions.
Found something like sulphur tuft?
Photograph it with Mushie for possible matches, look-alike warnings and an AI guide for follow-up questions. Results are suggestions, never a safe-to-eat verdict.
Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Hypholoma fasciculare. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.