How to identify Winter Bonnet

To correctly identify Winter Bonnet (Mycena vitilis), 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 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter, initially conical or bell-shaped, expanding to convex or broadly conical with a central umbo. The margin is often striate, especially when moist, and can become wavy or lobed with age. The color ranges from pale grayish-brown to yellowish-brown, often darker at the center, fading to whitish or pale buff towards the margin. It is hygrophanous, meaning its color changes with moisture content.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills are adnate to adnexed, sometimes with a decurrent tooth, and are moderately spaced. They are whitish to pale grayish, often becoming slightly pinkish or yellowish with age. There are typically 20-30 full-length gills, with numerous lamellulae (short gills).

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is 3-10 cm long and 1-3 mm thick, exceptionally slender and tough (hence 'Tough Shank Mycena'). It is cylindrical, often slightly enlarged at the base, and can be straight or somewhat flexuous. The color is similar to the cap, pale grayish-brown to whitish, often darker towards the base. It is typically smooth, sometimes finely pruinose (powdery) near the apex, and hollow. The base is often covered with fine, whitish hairs (mycelium).

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is very thin, fragile, and whitish to pale grayish. It has no distinctive odor or taste, though some describe a faint radish-like smell.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically small and slender, characteristic of the genus Mycena.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic, growing on decaying wood, particularly fallen branches and logs of deciduous trees, but occasionally on conifers. It can be found singly or in small scattered groups.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Smooth, hygrophanous, striate margin when moist

Growth Form

Scattered to gregarious

Spore Print

White

Body color

Pale grayish-brown to yellowish-brown, fading to whitish

Odor

Indistinct or faintly radish-like

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise

Height

3-10 cm

Cap Diameter

0.5-2.5 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnate to adnexed, sometimes with a decurrent tooth
• Stem shape: Cylindrical, often slightly enlarged at base
• Stem surface: Smooth, sometimes finely pruinose near apex, base often hairy
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: Hollow

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