MushieVelvet shank (Flammulina velutipes)
Edible with caution
Velvet shank is a winter mushroom with a sticky orange-brown cap and a velvety, dark brown stem. Wild-grown velvet shanks have a deadly lookalike.
| Scientific name | Flammulina velutipes |
|---|---|
| Other names | Samtfußrübling · Collybie à pied velouté · Enokitake (wild form) |
| Family | Physalacriaceae |
| Season | Nov – Mar |
| Habitat | Clusters on dead broadleaf wood, especially in cold weather |
| Range | Northern Hemisphere |
| Spore print | White |
| Smell | Mild |
How to identify Velvet shank
| Cap | Orange-brown, 2–6 cm, shiny and slimy when wet |
|---|---|
| Underside | Cream to pale yellow gills |
| Stem | Dark brown and velvety near the base, lighter at the top; no ring |
| Smell | Mild |
| Spore print | White |
Is Velvet shank edible or poisonous?
Edible with caution. Edible in the opinion of field guides, but easily confused with the deadly funeral bell on wood. The pale, long-stemmed supermarket "enoki" is a cultivated form.
Velvet shank look-alikes
Funeral bell has a ring and a rusty-brown spore print.
When does Velvet shank grow?
Velvet shank is typically found Nov – Mar in clusters on dead broadleaf wood, especially in cold weather. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Velvet shank edible?
Velvet shank (Flammulina velutipes) is regarded as edible only with caution. Edible in the opinion of field guides, but easily confused with the deadly funeral bell on wood. The pale, long-stemmed supermarket "enoki" is a cultivated form. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert.
What does Velvet shank look like?
Orange-brown, 2–6 cm, shiny and slimy when wet. Underside: cream to pale yellow gills. Stem: dark brown and velvety near the base, lighter at the top; no ring.
What are the look-alikes of Velvet shank?
The main look-alike is Funeral bell (Galerina marginata). Funeral bell has a ring and a rusty-brown spore print.
When and where does Velvet shank grow?
Velvet shank is usually found from Nov to Mar. Habitat: clusters on dead broadleaf wood, especially in cold weather. Range: Northern Hemisphere.
Found something like velvet shank?
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Flammulina velutipes. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.