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Gymnopus dryophilus (Collybia dryophila) [ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Gymnopus . . . ] by Michael Kuo This little mushroom, listed in all but the most recent field guides as Collybia dryophila, qualifies as the weed of the North American mushroom world, in my opinion; it is everywhere, all the time. Its distinguishing features are its greasy, tawny or tan cap, its attached white or yellowish gills, and its smooth stem. These features, to be honest, aren't really very "distinguishing" in the world of Collybia (or what used to be "Collybia," anyway). A large number of Gymnopus and Rhodocollybia species look for all the world like Gymnopus dryophilus on casual observation. For help sorting these mushrooms out, see the key to Collybioid Mushrooms. Gymnopus dryophilus is listed by some field guides as edible, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to eat it (and, since it's small and brown, it would be a dangerous experiment for beginners!). I don't recommend experimenting. A parasite, Syzygospora mycetophila, sometimes attacks Gymnopus dryophilus, causing pale, tumorous growths on the stem, gills, and cap. Description: Ecology: Saprobic. Despite its name (which translates as "oak-loving"), this mushroom will grow almost anywhere in hardwood or conifer forests, frequently arising from twigs or leaf litter; spring, summer, and fall (and in winter in warmer climates); widely distributed in North America. Cap: 1-5 cm, convex with an incurved margin when young, becoming broadly convex to flat; moist; smooth; dark reddish brown to brown when young, becoming tan to orangish brown to very pale. Gills: Attached to the stem or free from it; whitish to pinkish (yellow in one variety; see below), becoming buff; crowded or close. Stem: 1-5 cm long; 2-5 mm thick; equal (occasionally slightly flared to base); dry; pliant and fibrous; smooth; whitish above, light buff below, becoming darker; soon hollow. Flesh: Whitish; thin. Odor and Taste: Not distinctive. Spore Print: White to creamy or pale yellowish white. Microscopic Features: Spores: 5.6-6.4 x 2.8-3.5 µ; smooth; elliptical; inamyloid. A variety with yellow gills is listed as Gymnopilus subsulphureus by some, and as Gymnopilus dryophilus, var. luteifolius by others. Roy Halling's authoritative monograph suggests Gymnopilus dryophilus, var. funicularis (52). See the Key to Collybioid Mushrooms for more information. REFERENCES: (Bulliard, 1790) Murrill, 1916. (Fries, 1821; Saccardo, 1887; Smith, 1949; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1979; Halling, 1983; Arora, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Halling, 2003; Roody, 2003.) Herb. Kuo 05059502, 05089501, 09210102, 06080301. Further Online Information: Gymnopus dryophilus at Roy Halling's Collybia site |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2004, January). Gymnopus dryophilus. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/gymnopus_dryophilus.html |