Definition

Noun * An edible mushroom species (Flammulina velutipes) characterized by its seasonal availability in early spring or late fall when few other fungi are found. It has a viscid (sticky), smooth cap ranging from orange to brown in color, a velvety stalk that darkens to black as it matures, and pale gills. This mushroom frequently grows in clusters.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Foragers were delighted to find a large patch of Flammulina velutipes on the old stump.
  • Flammulina velutipes is prized for its mild, pleasant flavor in culinary dishes.
  • The key identifying feature of Flammulina velutipes is its velvety, darkening stem.

Advanced Usage

• "Cultivated Flammulina velutipes": Refers to the commercially grown version of this mushroom, which is widely available in grocery stores, often sold under the name enoki or enokitake. The cultivated form looks different, with long, thin stems and small, white caps due to being grown in low-light, high-carbon dioxide conditions.
  • The soup recipe calls for fresh enoki mushrooms, which are the cultivated form of Flammulina velutipes.

Variants and Related Words

• Enoki (n): The common name for the cultivated, cluster-forming variety of , featuring long, slender white stems and tiny caps.
• Enokitake (n): The Japanese name for the same cultivated mushroom.
• Winter mushroom (n): A common name for , referring to its ability to grow in cold weather.
• Velvet foot (n): A descriptive common name directly referencing the mushroom's velvety stalk ( means "velvet foot").

Synonyms

• Enoki mushroom
• Winter mushroom
• Velvet foot

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Agaric (n): A type of mushroom having gills on the underside of the cap. is a type of agaric.
• Saprotrophic (adj): Obtaining nutrients from decaying organic matter. is a saprotrophic fungus, often found on dead or dying wood.
• Cluster (n/v): A group of similar things growing or located closely together. This mushroom's habit of growing in clusters is a key identifying characteristic.

Noun

1. an edible agaric that is available in early spring or late fall when few other mushrooms are; has a viscid smooth orange to brown cap and a velvety stalk that turns black in maturity and pallid gills; often occur in clusters