| Major Groups > Gilled Mushrooms > Pale-Spored > Mycena > Mycena galericulata |
|
Mycena galericulata [ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Mycena . . . ] by Michael Kuo One of the larger Mycena species, Mycena galericulata is found in spring and fall, growing in small clusters on hardwood logs and stumps throughout eastern North America and along the West Coast. The pale brownish caps reach four or five centimeters in diameter, and the odor and taste are mealy. As with other Mycenas, the spore print is white--but the gills are pink at maturity, causing potential confusion with species of Pluteus. Mycena galericulata is edible, but it is much too difficult to identify to make it a worthwhile experiment; I do not recommend it--and anyway, the mealy taste would be a deterrent. Description: Ecology: Saprobic on decaying hardwood logs, stumps, sticks, and so forth; growing in small clusters (but sometimes alone or scattered); widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains, and common on the West Coast; spring and fall. Cap: 2-5 cm; broadly conical, becoming broadly bell-shaped and retaining a central bump (sometimes curving upwards in age); vaguely lined or grooved radially; smooth; tacky; the margin at first somewhat inrolled, but soon spreading; brownish or pale dirty tan, often with a darker brown, central bump; sometimes watery grayish. Gills: Narrowly attached to the stem; distant or nearly so; strongly intervenose when mature; whitish, becoming pink in age; not bruising or staining. Stem: 5-9 cm long; 2-5 mm thick; equal; hollow; smooth; whitish above, tan to brownish downwards. Flesh: Insubstantial; pallid gray. Taste: Mealy; odor also mealy. Spore Print: White. Microscopic Features: Spores 8-10 x 5.5-7 µ; amyloid; broadly elliptical. REFERENCES: (Fries, 1821) S. F. Gray, 1821. (Kauffman, 1918; Smith, 1947; Arora, 1986; Lincoff, 1992; Barron, 1999.) Herb. Kuo 05260304, 06070304; 10220402; 10270401. Mycena inclinata is very similar, but its cap is a little less brownish, and it has a stem that is covered with white flecks when young and discolors reddish brown near the base in maturity. Further Online Information: Mycena galericulata in Smith, 1947 |
© MushroomExpert.Com |
|
Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2004, November). Mycena galericulata. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/mycena_galericulata.html |