Pholiota lenta, also known as Sticky Scalycap, is a small agaric mushroom characterized by its slimy, gelatinous cap that can range in colour from whitish to yellowish-brown. This mushroom is often found growing on decaying wood in damp, shaded forests, particularly in the cooler months. Its sticky texture and appearance make it easy to recognize among other woodland fungi.

Cap convex-hemispheric to convex, eventually expanding; colour ranges from whitish to pale, occasionally displaying a pinkish-buff or smoky grey tone, with the centre slightly darkening to avellaneous or even yellowish. The surface is quite slimy in wet weather, with scattered, white fibrillose-squamulose scales from the broken veil, and often retains hanging veil remnants for an extended period before becoming smooth. Gills adnate, sometimes with a decurrent tooth; initially white, turning to grey-tawny or greyish-brown, occasionally clay-coloured; close, moderately narrow to medium in width, abruptly tapering toward the front, with edges that are smooth to fringed. Stem typically cylindrical, often curved at the base and sometimes slightly thickened, solid; whitish in colour, with a brownish base. Below the ring zone, it is covered with dense, fibrous, and protruding white scales, which are not particularly noticeable in wet weather. Spore print ochre.

Microscopic Features: Spores elliptical, smooth, pointed, slightly amyloid, 6-7 x 3-4 µm.

Pholiota lenta on the www.mykoweb.com Web site.