Moss Bell

Description

Galerina hypnorum, commonly known as the Moss Bell, is a small, delicate mushroom belonging to the family Hymenogastraceae. It is characterized by its hygrophanous, bell-shaped to convex cap, yellowish-brown to ochraceous coloration, and its preference for growing among mosses, particularly Sphagnum, in damp, boggy, or woodland environments. This species is saprobic, playing a role in the decomposition of organic matter.

How to Identify

Cap

Typically 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter, initially conical or bell-shaped, expanding to convex or plano-convex with age, often retaining a small umbo. The margin is striate when moist and often translucent. Color is hygrophanous, varying from yellowish-brown, ochraceous, or tawny when moist, fading to pale buff or yellowish-tan when dry. The surface is smooth and somewhat greasy when wet.

Gills

Adnate to adnexed, sometimes with a slight decurrent tooth, moderately crowded. Color is initially pale yellowish, becoming rusty brown or cinnamon-brown with age due to spore maturation. Lamellulae are present.

Stem

Slender, 2-6 cm long and 1-3 mm thick, cylindrical, often slightly enlarged at the base. Color is typically concolorous with the cap or slightly paler, often darker towards the base. The surface is pruinose (finely powdered) at the apex, becoming smooth or finely fibrillose below. A faint, ephemeral ring or ring zone may be present in very young specimens, but it is usually absent or quickly disappears. The stem is hollow and fragile.

Flesh

Thin, fragile, and concolorous with the cap surface, or slightly paler.

Fruiting body

Small, delicate, and often gregarious, appearing in clusters or scattered among mosses.

Habitat

Saprobic, growing among mosses (especially Sphagnum, but also other moss species) in damp, boggy areas, swamps, fens, and moist woodlands. It can also be found on decaying wood or plant debris embedded within moss mats.

Key Facts

• Cap surfaces: Smooth, hygrophanous, striate when moist.
• Growth Form: Gregarious or scattered.
• Spore Print: Rusty brown to cinnamon-brown.
• Body color: Yellowish-brown, ochraceous, tawny (moist); pale buff, yellowish-tan (dry).
• Odor: Mild, sometimes slightly farinaceous.
• Flesh bruises: Does not bruise significantly.
• Height: 2-6 cm
• Cap Diameter: 0.5-2.5 cm
• Nutrient gathering: Saprobic

Quick Check

• Odor: Mild, not distinctive, sometimes slightly farinaceous (mealy).
• Fruiting: Gregarious to scattered among mosses.
• Substrate: Mosses, decaying wood or plant debris within moss mats.

Where to Find

Finding Tips

Similar Species

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Agaricales

Family

Hymenogastraceae

Genus

Galerina

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