elastica

Willow Velvet Shank

Flammulina elastica is a wood-rotting basidiomycete closely related to the common Enoki but genetically distinct. It typically produces clustered fruit bodies with caps ranging from 2 to 10 cm in diameter. The caps are initially convex, flattening with age, and are characterized by a yellowish to orange-brown coloration that is slimy or sticky when moist. The stem is tough, velvety (especially towards the base), and often curved, adapting to its growth on vertical wood surfaces. Microscopically, F. elastica is distinguished by its spores, which are longer and narrower (8–12 x 3–4 µm) compared to F. velutipes. It is a cold-tolerant species, fruiting in late autumn and winter. Recent studies have successfully standardized its cultivation, noting its potential for commercial production due to unique textural qualities and bioactive compounds.