How to identify Poison Pie

To correctly identify Poison Pie (Galerina marginata), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   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).

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills are adnate to slightly decurrent, close, and initially pale brown, becoming rusty brown as the spores mature.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   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.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   Thin and brownish.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   Small to medium-sized mushroom with a brownish cap and stem.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   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

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnate to slightly decurrent.
• Stem shape: Cylindrical.
• Stem surface: Smooth above the ring, slightly scaly below.
• Ring: Fragile, membranous, often disappearing.
• Stem cross-section: Solid.

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