Stubble rosegill or Volvariella hypopithys
How they differ, how to recognize them and which is more dangerous — a mushroom comparison
The short answer
Stubble rosegill and Volvariella hypopithys are similar species: Stubble rosegill is conditionally edible, while Volvariella hypopithys is unknown. The main visible difference: use: Stubble rosegill — cook fresh, Volvariella hypopithys — not eaten. The mushrooms also differ in the following features: size, cap color, taste.

Stubble rosegill
Volvopluteus gloiocephalus

Volvariella hypopithys
Volvariella hypopithys
📊 Comparing characteristics
| Characteristic | Stubble rosegill | Volvariella hypopithys |
|---|---|---|
| Edibility class | Stubble rosegill Conditionally edible | Volvariella hypopithys Unknown |
| Season | Stubble rosegill SummerAutumn | Volvariella hypopithys SummerAutumn |
| Use | Stubble rosegill Cook fresh | Volvariella hypopithys Not eaten |
| Size | Stubble rosegill Medium (5–15 cm) | Volvariella hypopithys Small (up to 5 cm) |
| Cap color | Stubble rosegill WhiteGreyBrown | Volvariella hypopithys White |
| Cap shape | Stubble rosegill Convex | Volvariella hypopithys Convex |
| Cap surface | Stubble rosegill Smooth | Volvariella hypopithys Smooth |
| Taste | Stubble rosegill Mild | Volvariella hypopithys Unknown |
| Smell | Stubble rosegill Odorless | Volvariella hypopithys Odorless |
| Flesh color change | Stubble rosegill No change | Volvariella hypopithys No change |
| Hymenophore | Stubble rosegill Gilled | Volvariella hypopithys Gilled |
| Stem | Stubble rosegill Central | Volvariella hypopithys Central |
| Ring (veil) | Stubble rosegill No ring | Volvariella hypopithys No ring |
| Volva | Stubble rosegill Volva present | Volvariella hypopithys Volva present |
| Substrate | Stubble rosegill Soil | Volvariella hypopithys Forest litterSoil |
| Nutrition type | Stubble rosegill Saprotroph | Volvariella hypopithys Saprotroph |
| Partner trees | Stubble rosegill — | Volvariella hypopithys PineSpruce |
📅 Seasonality
Stubble rosegill
Fruiting season
May – October
Volvariella hypopithys
Fruiting season
June – September
🔬 Morphology
Cap
Stubble rosegill
Cap 5-15 cm, bell-shaped at first, then expanding to conical or flat with a small umbo. Whitish, grayish-brown in the center, with a silky sheen. Surface smooth, slightly slimy in wet weather, dry and silky in dry weather.
Volvariella hypopithys
Cap 2-3.5 cm, bell-shaped at first, then flattened with a small umbo in the center. White, with a matte, silky surface. Sometimes with fine radial fibers. The margin is thin and slightly torn in mature mushrooms.
Hymenophore
Stubble rosegill
Gilled hymenophore. Gills 8-12 mm wide, free (not attached to the stem). White at first, turning pink or pinkish-brown with age from the spores. Spore print pink — a key feature of the genus.
Volvariella hypopithys
Gilled hymenophore. Gills free (not attached to the stem), moderately spaced. White at first, turning brownish-pink with age from the color of the spores. Spore print pink or pinkish-brown — typical of the genus.
Stem
Stubble rosegill
Stem 5-20 cm tall, 1-2.5 cm thick, cylindrical, slightly thickened toward the base. White or grayish-yellow, smooth or with a faint silkiness. No ring. At the base there's a characteristic sac-like volva, white or grayish, surrounding the stem like a cup.
Volvariella hypopithys
Stem 3-5 cm tall, 2-4 mm thick, slender, cylindrical, white, smooth. No ring. At the base there's a dense white volva hugging the stem tightly, like a little sac.
Flesh
Stubble rosegill
The flesh is white, thin and watery, and doesn't change color in the air. The texture is soft, not firm. Not suitable for long storage — it decomposes quickly.
Volvariella hypopithys
The flesh is thin, white and delicate. It doesn't change color when cut. The texture is very fragile — the mushroom breaks at the slightest touch.
Smell
Stubble rosegill
Faint, indistinct mushroomy smell. Some authors describe a slight radish-like hint. Bland taste with no pronounced notes.
Volvariella hypopithys
No distinct smell, faintly mushroomy. Indistinct taste. Don't taste it — its edibility is unknown.
📍 Habitats
Stubble rosegill
Volvariella hypopithys
👀 Similar mushrooms — don't mix them up!
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can Stubble rosegill and Volvariella hypopithys be mixed up?
How to tell Stubble rosegill from Volvariella hypopithys?
Is Volvariella hypopithys edible?
When do Stubble rosegill and Volvariella hypopithys grow?
Sources
- [1]Вікіпедія (українська)
- [2]Атлас грибів України, Зеров Д.К. (1979)
- [3]MycoBank Database
- [4]Index Fungorum
- [5]GBIF
- [6]iNaturalist Ukraine