Golden Pholiata mushrooms, (Pholiota aurea) of an immense size... easily 12" to 18" (30-45cm) across the caps in specimens that were fully opened. I was astonished to see these fairly rare gargantuans of what felt like a prehistoric age growing alongside a steep mountain logging road in the rainforest of Haines, Alaska.

Caps were soft and textured like suede glove leather, stems were as big around as my forearm (which I will show in a later photograph). Notice the ring of connective veil around the thick stem, remnant of this giant's 'button' stage.

These two not-yet-mature specimens were perhaps 11-12" (30cm) across, and perfectly pristine, growing among thick nettles.... (ouch!)

Tags:   giant golden pholiota Pholiata aurea mushrooms

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Not the greatest picture, but it does show the monstrous size of the gigantic golden pholiota (Pholiota aurea), guessing this mature speciman to be 15-17" (38-43cm) across. Never seen anything like it before. 'Normal' golden pholiota are generally 3-4" (7-10cm) across. The stalk was as big as my forearm.

Tags:   giant golden pholiota golden pholiota mushroom Haines Alaska

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