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Hypholoma capnoides (Fr.) P.Kumm. · Strophariaceae
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The conifer tuft grows in dense tufts on conifer stumps. Its cap is pale yellow to yellow-brown with a foxy centre, the gills are grey and the fruiting bodies taste mild. It is edible, but easily mistaken for the poisonous sulphur tuft.
It grows in tufts on conifer wood and has grey gills without a green tinge. The sulphur tuft is poisonous and has greenish gills, but tastes bitter. Safe identification is therefore necessary.
Its gills have greenish tones, sterile fruiting bodies bear bright yellow gills, and it tastes bitter. The strongest distinguishing feature is the greenish gills. Poisonous, causes gastrointestinal upset.
View on the mapIt has more intense brick-red cap tones, is sturdier in growth, is also somewhat bitter and mostly colonises deciduous wood. Not recommended.
| Conifer tuft | Sulphur tuft | Brick tuft | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap | pale yellow to yellow-brown, foxy centre, 2 to 8 cm | sulphur yellow, centre often orange to brownish | brick red, sturdy |
| Underside | pale to ash-grey gills, no green tinge | yellowish to greenish, later olive-green gills | pale to grey gills |
| Stem | hollow, in tufts, pale above, rust brown below | yellowish, hollow, in tufts | sturdy, in tufts |
| Flesh | thin-fleshed, soft, mild | thin-fleshed, bitter taste | fleshier, somewhat bitter |
| Edibility | Edible | poisonous | inedible |
On rotten stumps and roots, more rarely on fallen trunks, in dense tufts. No reliable information.
Grows on wood: almost only conifer wood, especially spruce, sometimes pine and silver fir, rarely European beech.
possible good main season
In suitable weather all year round, slightly more often around April too.
There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.
How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112 · 999
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112
Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).
Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.
Poison centre:
Emergency: 112 · 144
Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.
Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.
Not specially protected.
The caps are well suited to drying and as a seasoning; the stems are fibrous. Use only young caps and cook them well. Cook for at least 15 minutes.
The caps dry well and are used as a seasoning. Risk of confusion with the poisonous sulphur tuft.
Yes, it is edible and tastes mild. The caps are well suited to drying and as a seasoning. Take care because of the risk of confusion with the poisonous sulphur tuft.
The conifer tuft has grey gills without green tones and tastes mild; the sulphur tuft has greenish gills and tastes bitter.
In dense tufts on rotten stumps and roots, almost exclusively of conifer wood, especially spruce.
Mainly from September to November, but all year round in suitable weather.
No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.
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