# Slippery Jacks (*suillus*)

Slippery Jacks are fun and colorful mushrooms that can be found in forests! They have a slimy cap that makes them look super cool and slippery!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Slippery Jacks live in moist, shady areas of forests, usually near pine trees.
- **Also known as:** Luteus, Slippery Jack, Slippery Jack Mushroom, Sticky Cap, Suillus, Suillus luteus, Yellow Slippery Jack

![Slippery Jacks](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424837/objects/7920.jpg)

## Appearance

The Slippery Jacks has a cap that is typically yellowish-brown to dark brown, often very sticky and slimy, especially when wet. Underneath, it has bright yellow pores instead of gills, and a distinct ring on its stalk that can be purplish-brown.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes

## Interesting facts

- Its super-sticky cap can feel like sticky tape after a rain shower!
- Slippery Jacks can quickly appear in large groups after warm, rainy weather!
- Some people peel off its slippery cap skin before cooking and eating it.
- This mushroom only grows near certain pine trees, helping them share food.

## Special abilities

- **Slime Shield:** Slippery Jacks can produce a super-slippery slime because it helps protect their caps from drying out and hungry insects.
- **Forest Friendship:** Slippery Jacks has a special connection with pine trees that helps them share nutrients underground, helping both grow strong.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 4-12 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 5-15 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Fall
- **Spore Color:** Olive-brown

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Shares nutrients in a special underground partnership.
- **Eaten by:** Eurasian Red Squirrel (*Sciurus vulgaris*) — A tasty snack for squirrels foraging in the forest.
- **Eaten by:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs sometimes munch on the caps and stalks.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or eating mushrooms.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Slippery Jacks?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Slippery Jacks?

4-12 cm

### Is Slippery Jacks edible?

edible

### How big is Slippery Jacks?

5-15 cm

### Where is Slippery Jacks usually found?

Slippery Jacks live in moist, shady areas of forests, usually near pine trees.

### What does Slippery Jacks grow on?

soil

### When is Slippery Jacks in season?

Fall

### What color are Slippery Jacks spores?

Olive-brown

## Where to spot

- [Browne Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/browne-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Slippery Jacks: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/slippery-jacks)