Camera info:

Nikon D3100

55.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

270mm (405mm), f/5.6, 1/80s, ISO 800

Figure I’d share this little bit of info. Because I had no idea about these mushrooms.

Galerina marginata, commonly known as the funeral bell, deadly skullcap, autumn skullcapor deadly galerina, is a small, wood-rotting mushroom that is highly toxic. Below are some key facts about this species:

Identification

1. Appearance:

• Cap: Convex, brownish to tan in color, and becomes sticky when wet. The cap diameter ranges from 1 to 5 cm.

• Gills: Attached to the stem, pale when young, turning rusty brown as spores mature.

• Stem: Thin, yellowish to light brown, with remnants of a delicate ring (partial veil) which may fade with age.

• Spores: Rusty brown, ellipsoid, and finely warty under a microscope.

2. Habitat:

• Found worldwide in temperate regions, often growing on decaying wood, moss, or forest debris.

• Typically associated with coniferous or mixed forests.

3. Similar species:

• Often mistaken for edible mushrooms such as the honey fungus (Armillaria spp.) or certain species of Kuehneromyces due to their similar size and habitat.

Toxicity

1. Toxin: Contains amatoxins, the same lethal compounds found in the death cap (Amanita phalloides).

2. Symptoms:

• Onset of symptoms occurs 6–12 hours after ingestion.

• Initial gastrointestinal distress: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

• After a temporary improvement, liver and kidney damage may occur, potentially leading to organ failure and death if untreated.

3. Lethality:

• As little as one mushroom can be fatal.

• Requires urgent medical intervention, such as activated charcoal or liver-supportive treatments like silibinin or a liver transplant.

Ecology and Role

1. Ecological role:

• Saprotrophic: decomposes wood and contributes to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.

2. Fruiting season:

• Typically found in late summer through fall, but can also appear in mild winter conditions in some regions.

Prevention

1. Avoiding confusion:

• Be cautious when foraging for mushrooms, especially in forests where galerina species are common.