scadwell's Favorites

Thought the hairs on the stem would sting, so didn't touch. However, Urtica doesn't seem a match, and Laportea has alternate leaf arrangement. Noticed similar hairs on young V. alternifolia on section of stem that hadn't yet developed wings. V. occidentalis (with wings) found nearby.

Cap 10 cm, dry white, only faintly zonate, if at all, deeply depressed with inrolled margin. Stipe short, stocky. 3 cm long, 2 cm wide, white. Gills yellow-orange, dichotomously forking, close, adnate to subdecurrent. No latex though quite fresh. Odor fruity, becoming stronger like lemon. In mixed woods, predominantly pine and oak in Raleigh, NC. Spores short in height, ellipsoid or subglobose 4.0x 5.0, 6.0 x 5.0, 4.5x 5.0, 4.5x5.5. Ornamentation amyloid with short interconnected ridges, Spore prints are more orange, not as dark as they appear in photos & unfortunately wrinkled paper casts shadows.
Thank you to Henry Van T. Cotter for microscopy! ID confirmed by DNA ITS. Collection deposited in Duke University Herbarium.