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Omphalina ericetorum, commonly known as the Winter Navel or Heath Navel, is a small, inconspicuous agaric mushroom belonging to the family Tricholomataceae (though its taxonomic placement has been fluid). It is characterized by its omphalinoid (navel-like) cap, decurrent gills, and preference for acidic, nutrient-poor soils, often associated with mosses or lichens in heathlands and peat bogs. Its small size and drab coloration make it easily overlooked.
How to Identify
- Cap
- 1-3 cm in diameter, initially convex, becoming plano-depressed to deeply umbilicate (navel-like) with age. The margin is often incurved when young, becoming wavy or lobed. Color ranges from greyish-brown, yellowish-brown, to olive-brown, often paler towards the margin. The surface is smooth, moist, and somewhat translucent-striate when wet, drying to a dull, opaque finish.
- Gills
- Decurrent, moderately broad, distant to subdistant, often forked near the stem. Color is whitish to pale grey or yellowish-grey. They are typically thickish.
- Stem
- 1-3 cm long and 1-3 mm thick, central, cylindrical, often tapering slightly towards the base. Color is similar to the cap, sometimes paler, often darker towards the base. The surface is smooth or finely pruinose (powdery) at the apex, becoming glabrous (smooth) below. It is typically hollow or stuffed.
- Flesh
- Thin, fragile, concolorous with the cap or slightly paler.
- Fruiting body
- Small, omphalinoid (navel-like) agaric, typically greyish-brown to yellowish-brown, with decurrent gills.
- Habitat
- Terrestrial, growing solitarily or in small groups on acidic, nutrient-poor soils, often among mosses (especially Sphagnum) or lichens in heathlands, peat bogs, moorlands, and coniferous forests. It is saprobic, but some species in the broader Omphalina complex are now known to be lichenized or associated with bryophytes.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, moist, translucent-striate when wet, drying dull
- Growth Form: Solitary or scattered
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Greyish-brown, yellowish-brown, olive-brown
- Odor: Indistinct
- Flesh bruises: No significant bruising reaction
- Height: 1-3 cm
- Cap Diameter: 1-3 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprobic, potentially bryophilous or lichenized in broader context
Safe
SafeOmphalina ericetorum is generally considered inedible due to its small size and insubstantial flesh. There are no reports of toxicity, but it is not consumed. As with all wild mushrooms, positive identification is crucial, and consumption of any unidentified or unconfirmed species should be avoided. Some species formerly placed in Omphalina are now known to be lichenized (e.g., Lichenomphalia), and while not toxic, they are not typically considered for consumption.
Quick Check
- Odor: Indistinct or slightly fungoid
- Fruiting: Late autumn to early spring
- Substrate: Acidic soil, mosses (especially Sphagnum), peat, heathland vegetation
Where to Find
Heathlands
Open, uncultivated land with characteristic vegetation of heather, gorse, and coarse grasses, often with acidic soils.
Peat Bogs
Wetland areas characterized by the accumulation of peat, a dense layer of partially decayed plant matter, often dominated by Sphagnum moss.
Moorlands
Upland areas with acidic, peaty soils, often covered by heather, grasses, and mosses.
Coniferous Forests
Forests dominated by coniferous trees, where it can be found in mossy areas, particularly on acidic soils.
Finding Tips
Look for Mossy Habitats
Focus your search on areas rich in mosses, especially Sphagnum, in acidic environments.
Check Peat Bogs and Heathlands
These specific ecosystems are prime locations for Omphalina ericetorum due to their acidic, nutrient-poor soil conditions.
Examine Small Details
Due to its small size and often drab coloration, careful observation of the ground cover is necessary to spot this mushroom.
Seasonal Timing
While named 'Winter Navel', it can fruit from late autumn through winter into early spring, depending on local climate conditions, often appearing after frosts.
Similar Species
Bog Navel
fungus
Also known as: Omphalina sphagnicola
Moss Navel
fungus
Also known as: Omphalina umbellifera (now typically placed in Arrhenia)
Lichen Navel
fungus
Also known as: Lichenomphalia umbellifera (a lichenized fungus, formerly Omphalina umbellifera)
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Tricholomataceae (though its placement has been debated and some related species moved to other genera like Arrhenia or Lichenomphalia)
- Genus
- Omphalina
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: Not applicable
- Freezing duration: Not applicable
- Min Temperature: Not applicable
- Refrigeration: Not applicable
How to Clean
Not applicable, as this mushroom is not considered edible. If handled for identification, gently brush off any debris with a soft brush or cloth. Avoid washing with water, as its delicate structure can be easily damaged.
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