Armillaria mellea group

Armillaria mellea can be recognized by its white spores, annulus, and most distinctly by its dark, short hairs on the pileal disc. Its stature is Armillarioid. All of its features can be seen in the photograph. As long as one can recognize the black hairs on the pileus, this species can be identified. However, it comes in many different forms and because of molecular systematics, this species-complex has been recognized as having 11 different species.

Black rhizomorphs can often be seen attached to the stipe base. This species is a virulent plant pathogen causing a root rot of hardwoods and conifers. It is very common in the forests of northern California.