Funeral Bell (Galerina Marginata), Deadly Mushroom Visited Me.
A few years ago, I was trying to spot a poisonous mushroom so I could compare it with other "little brown mushrooms," thinking that it would give me more confidence in eating the edible ones. And this year, it visited me in my garden! Possibly wanted to be shown off it's dangerous beauty!
I walked past a bunch of mushrooms growing in my rose tree plant pot and planned to make breakfast out of them. At first glance, they looked like my favorite velvet shank mushrooms. I thought they were a bit early this year. As we all know, we have to be careful with those 'little brown mushrooms.'
With excitement and the thought of scraping those yummy garlic-stir-fried mushrooms on top of my sourdough bread, I went back to examine them so I could harvest. They were bigger, prestine and very inviting to harvest. I checked and I was gobsmacked when I identified them as the 'Funeral Bell,' and yes, it can really be confused with velvet shank if not careful. I was thankful that I was cautious before I chomped on it or it could have been a disaster. I could have been poisoned! Never be too confident or too sure when it comes to mushrooms. Always follow the rule that unless you are 100% certain of a mushroom's edibility, you should not consume it. It's essential to exercise extreme caution.
So here you are Gallerina, your wish has come true!
Galerina marginata, commonly known as the "Funeral Bell" also "Deadly Galerina," or "Deadly Skull Caps, is a small, brown mushroom that belongs to the genus Galerina. It is important to note that this mushroom is highly toxic and should never be consumed. Here are some key features to help you identify Gallerina marginata with photo's taken today.
The cap of Gallerina marginata is usually small, typically between 1 to 4 centimeters in diameter. It is convex to bell-shaped and often has a distinctive, dark brown to reddish-brown color. The cap surface can be striate, meaning it has radial grooves.
The cap is slimy when wet and can become paler in patches when it dries out. The edge is lighter than the center of the cap and slightly lined, which is why it's called "marginata."
The gills of Gallerina marginata are closely spaced, attached to the stem, and may have a brownish to rusty brown color.
The stem is typically slender, ranging from 4 to 10 centimeters in length. It is often a similar color to the cap but may have a paler, whitish or grayish base.
The stem can be fragile and may have a delicate ring or annulus.
The spore print of Gallerina marginata is brown. This spore print is done by me from the above mushroom. ( Place the mushroom cap with gills down on a white paper covered with a glass. leave overnight, I left mine for 3 days).
These mushrooms are commonly found in dense clusters on decaying wood, such as fallen trees, logs, and stumps. They can also grow on woody debris buried in soil.
Gallerina marginata contains deadly toxins, including amatoxins, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage if ingested. Mistaking it for edible mushrooms, such as certain species of agarics, can lead to poisoning.
I will be patiently waiting for my favourite Velvet Shank (Filomena Velutipes) soon to appear.
Have a wonderful Day. Enjoy your mushroom hunting, and I wish you a safe and successful season.
Mariah 💚🍄!