Spectacular Rustgill

Gymnopilus junonius

Spectacular Rustgill, often referred to as 'Big Jim', is a common tree-rotting fungus typically found in autumn forming dense clusters at the base of living trees and on stumps and logs. The caps are golden yellow to tawny brown, measuring 5-15 cm across, and are initially convex before flattening. The yellow gills, which are slightly decurrent, darken with age, becoming dull orange-brown. The stems are paler above the ring, range from 6-12 cm in length and can be up to 4 cm in diameter, exhibiting a fibrous texture below the ring. There is usually a bulge near the base which narrows at the bottom. The spores are rusty brown.