Galerina marginata – Deadly Galerina

The deadly galerina grows scattered or in small clusters on hardwood or conifer logs. It generally fruits June-October.

The cap is orange-brown to dark brown and sticky. Gills are yellow, becoming rusty-brown with age. The stem has a ring, but this can sometimes fall off. Spore print is rusty-brown.

The deadly galerina, also known as the funeral bell, has the same deadly amatoxins as the death cap (Amanita phalloides). Ingestion can lead to liver damage and eventually death.

The deadly galerina must be differentiated from edible honey mushrooms (Armillaria spp.) which are larger, have black stiff hairs on the cap, and produce white spore prints.

 

The deadly galerina could also be confused for edible enoki (Flammulina velutipes) which have velvety stems and a white spore print. Enoki can be found on dead hardwoods from October-May. A spore print should be done to positively differentiate the two species.

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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.