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Galerina marginata, commonly known as the Funeral Bell or Poison Pie, is a deadly poisonous mushroom found in temperate regions across the world. It contains amatoxins, the same toxins found in the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides).
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap is typically 2–5 cm in diameter, convex to flattened, smooth, and hygrophanous (changes color depending on moisture content). When moist, it is a cinnamon-brown color, fading to a paler ochraceous color as it dries. The margin is often striate (lined).
- Gills
- The gills are adnate to slightly decurrent, close, and initially pale brown, becoming rusty brown as the spores mature.
- Stem
- The stem is 3–8 cm long and 0.4–1 cm thick, cylindrical, and brownish. It has a fragile, membranous ring that often disappears with age. The stem is smooth above the ring and slightly scaly below.
- Flesh
- Thin and brownish.
- Fruiting body
- Small to medium-sized mushroom with a brownish cap and stem.
- Habitat
- Grows on decaying wood, both coniferous and deciduous, in forests and wooded areas. It can be found on logs, stumps, and wood debris.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, hygrophanous.
- Growth Form: Saprophytic.
- Spore Print: Rusty brown.
- Body color: Brownish.
- Odor: Farinaceous or indistinct.
- Flesh bruises: Does not typically bruise.
- Height: 3-8 cm
- Cap Diameter: 2-5 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Decomposer
Toxic
DeadlyGalerina marginata contains amatoxins, which are highly toxic and can cause severe liver damage and death if ingested.
Quick Check
- Odor: Farinaceous (like flour) or indistinct.
- Fruiting: Autumn.
- Substrate: Decaying wood.
Where to Find
North America
Common in coniferous and deciduous forests.
Europe
Widespread in wooded areas.
Asia
Found in temperate regions.
Finding Tips
Look for Decaying Wood
Search for Galerina marginata on decaying logs, stumps, and wood debris in forests.
Check Temperate Regions
Focus your search in temperate regions with both coniferous and deciduous trees.
Observe After Rain
Galerina marginata is often more visible after periods of rain due to its hygrophanous cap.
Similar Species
Kuehneromyces marginellus
Mushroom
Also known as: None
Armillaria species
Mushroom
Also known as: Honey Mushrooms
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Hymenogastraceae
- Genus
- Galerina
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