Pluteaceae

The Pluteaceae are a family of pink spored mushrooms with free gills (gills not attached to stipe) and inverse (=convergent) trama. The spores are rounded to ellipsoid (compare Entolomaceae with roughened and/or angular spores). Pluteus is a monophylletic genus and consists of about 300 species worldwide.

The family consists of three genera, Pluteus which is normally lignicolous (found growing on wood), Volvariella and Chamaeota. Volvariella species can be easily recognised by the presence of a volva at the base of the stipe AND pink coloured gills. There are several small Volvariella species which are difficult to separate. Spore size, cystidial shape and habitat are factors which are used to separate taxa.