How to identify Golden Trumpet

To correctly identify Golden Trumpet (Phaeocollybia fallax), 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 measures 2-6 cm in diameter, initially acutely conical or bell-shaped, expanding to broadly conical or campanulate, often retaining a prominent acute umbo. The margin is typically incurved when young, becoming straight or slightly uplifted with age, sometimes wavy. The surface is smooth, viscid to glutinous when moist, drying shiny. Coloration varies from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, often with golden or orange-brown tones, especially towards the center, fading to a paler yellowish-tan towards the margin. The cap flesh is thin, somewhat gelatinous, and concolorous with the surface.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills are adnexed to sinuate, close to crowded, narrow, and often somewhat ventricose. They are initially pale yellowish-brown, becoming rusty brown to cinnamon-brown with age due to the maturing spores. Lamellulae are frequent.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is 5-15 cm long and 0.3-0.8 cm thick, very slender, cylindrical, often twisted or contorted, and deeply rooting into the substrate. The surface is smooth to finely fibrillose, often longitudinally striate, and viscid to glutinous when moist, especially towards the base. Coloration is typically concolorous with the cap or slightly paler, often with a darker reddish-brown base. There is no ring or partial veil. The stem flesh is fibrous and tough.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is thin, somewhat gelatinous, especially in the cap, and typically yellowish to brownish, concolorous with the surface. It has a distinctive radish-like or earthy odor and a mild to slightly bitter taste.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically slender and elegant, with a distinctively conical to bell-shaped cap and a long, often twisted, deeply rooting stem.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Phaeocollybia fallax is found growing solitarily or scattered in coniferous or mixed forests, often under conifers such as spruce (Picea) and fir (Abies). It typically fruits on soil, often among mosses or on well-decayed woody debris, with its deeply rooting stem extending into the substrate. It is considered either saprobic or ectomycorrhizal.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Smooth, viscid to glutinous when moist, drying shiny

Growth Form

Solitary or scattered

Spore Print

Rusty brown to cinnamon-brown

Body color

Yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, often with golden tones

Odor

Radish-like or earthy

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise significantly

Height

5-15 cm

Cap Diameter

2-6 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnexed to sinuate
• Stem shape: Cylindrical, often twisted or contorted, deeply rooting
• Stem surface: Smooth to finely fibrillose, often longitudinally striate, viscid to glutinous towards the base
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: Solid to stuffed, becoming hollow with age

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