Galerina Marginata, A Portrait

Day 18: Galerina marginata (sometimes listed as G. autumnalis) has several edible look-alikes, but its common name of "Funeral Bell" should give you a clue as to what will occur if you confuse it with any of them. A couple of distinguishing features will help you sort it out, but remember: it's better to throw away an edible species than to consume a poisonous one, so play it safe. If you see evidence of an annulus (ring) or roughness on the stipe (stem) which would hint that a ring might have existed, the 'shroom in question is most likely Galerina marginata. Also examine the gills. If they are lightly decurrent (i.e., running down the stem) or attached to the stipe (as opposed to notched), do NOT add one to your basket to take home for further analysis! Even in small amounts (residual spores, etc.), G. marginata can be deadly. That said, this common species is a potent decomposer, growing abundantly in colonies on rotting evergreen and hardwood, breaking down the wood structure with its mycelium. Even poisonous 'shrooms play a role in the Circle of Life in the forest. Let them do their job.

Galerina Marginalis

Day 36: I think yesterday afternoon's event merits a poisonous mushroom. My computer is on its last legs. It's had issues from Day One, and attempting to replace it at Best Buy when it was less than a week old was a less-than-satisfactory experience. I wound up returning home with it, problems and all, and I suppose I should count myself lucky that it's lasted this long before giving me the Black Screen of Death. In any event, if my blog runs suddenly dry, I ask your patience until I can replace it. I'll catch up, promise.

So...subject here is Galerina marginalis, one of the commonest species to be confused with edible look-alikes. It was formerly known as G. autumnalis, but thanks to DNA tests, it has been recombined with at least two other Galerinas under a single taxon. It can be deadly if consumed in even small quantities, and any other mushroom which has come into contact with it should be discarded. Identify your 'shrooms BEFORE you put them in your basket!