Wild Wednesday - Velvet Shank
Winter's golden mushroom - when the rest of the woodland looks a little bare, one small hero brings a burst of colour to the cold - the velvet shank, scientific name Flammulina velutipes. Bright orange, frostâdefying and wonderfully resilient, this winter mushroom is a welcome sight across the UK - including right here in West Sussex.
The velvet shank's glossy, amber-orange caps stand out vividly against the dark, damp wood they grow on. Caps range from two to ten centimetres and can become slimy in wet weather, drying to a smooth sheen as conditions change. Their stems are tough, fibrous and noticeably velvety at the base, shifting from yellow to deep brown or almost black with maturity.
These mushrooms grow in tiered clusters on rotting broadleaved trees such as elm, ash, beech and oak, often forming dense tufts that brighten up woodland even on the greyest days.
Velvet shank is widespread throughout the UK and thrives in habitats rich in decaying wood, making West Sussex's biodiverse landscapes ideal. Our county's mix of elm and beech woods, and old hedgerows provide excellent conditions for this species.
Local woods, parks, nature reserves, churchyards, and even garden log piles can host the velvet shank, particularly where dead or dying broadleaved trees are left in place. Its presence is a reminder of the importance of retaining deadwood in our landscapes - a key habitat for fungi and the wildlife that depends on them.
If you're walking the South Downs or visiting one of our district's green spaces, keep an eye out for clusters of glowing orange on fallen trunks and stumps.
Unlike many fungi, the velvet shank doesn't mind the cold, in fact it thrives in it. It can fruit from late autumn all the way through early spring, even continuing to grow after being frozen and thawed. This winter-hardiness makes it one of the few edible* mushrooms regularly available in December and January.
In the quiet winter months, food sources for insects are scarce. The velvet shank provides a vital boost, acting as a valuable winter food source for woodland invertebrates. By helping break down dead wood, it also plays an essential role in nutrient recycling and woodland health.
Velvet Shank is edible once cooked and is particularly prized by winter foragers. The caps are the best part, as the stems are tough; it's also recommended to peel the cap skin before cooking.
*However, it has a dangerous lookalike - the Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata), a deadly poisonous species that grows in similar habitats. One distinguishing feature - this fungus has a ring on its stem, whereas the velvet shank does not. As always, if you're ever unsure: don't eat it.
Why we love finding velvet shank in West Sussex
- it adds winter cheer when most fungi have disappeared
- it supports insects and helps sustain woodland ecosystems
- its presence indicates healthy deadwood habitat - great news for biodiversity
- it's a fascinating example of how nature adapts to the cold season
Read more: Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes) - Woodland Trust