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The Orange Bonnet is a small mushroom with a vibrant orange cap and a slender stem. It's often found in clusters on decaying wood.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Bright orange, convex to slightly flattened, smooth, hygrophanous (changes color with moisture).
- Gills
- Adnate (attached to the stem), close, pale orange to orange-yellow.
- Stem
- Slender, cylindrical, pale orange to whitish, smooth.
- Flesh
- Thin, fragile, pale orange.
- Fruiting body
- Small, typically less than 2cm in diameter.
- Habitat
- Decaying wood, often in clusters.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, hygrophanous
- Growth Form: Clustered
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Orange
- Odor: Mild, slightly earthy
- Flesh bruises: No significant color change
- Height: 2-5 cm
- Cap Diameter: 1-2 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprobic (feeds on dead organic matter)
Safe
SafeWhile not known to be deadly poisonous, some Mycena species can cause gastrointestinal upset. This species is generally considered non-toxic but should not be consumed without expert confirmation.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, earthy
- Fruiting: Clusters on decaying wood
- Substrate: Decaying wood
Where to Find
Temperate forests
Damp, decaying wood in forests.
Finding Tips
Finding Orange Bonnets
Look for clusters of small, bright orange mushrooms on decaying logs or stumps, especially after rain.
Seasonal Considerations
They are more common in autumn but can appear at other times of the year depending on weather conditions.
Similar Species
Other Mycena species
Mushroom
Also known as: None
Other small orange mushrooms
Mushroom
Also known as: None
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Mycenaceae
- Genus
- Mycena
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: 5°C
- Freezing duration: Not recommended
- Min Temperature: 0°C
- Refrigeration: 1-2 days
How to Clean
Gently brush off any debris from the cap and stem. Avoid washing unless absolutely necessary, as the caps are delicate.
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