Galerina marginata - Галерина окаймлённая - Funeral Bell

Galerina marginata - Галерина окаймлённая - Funeral Bell - Geflecktblättriger Galerina 9/13/14—9/11/21

Galerina marginata, also known as the Funeral Bell or Geflecktblättriger Galerina, is a small, deadly toxic basidiomycete mushroom belonging to the family Hymenogastraceae. The cap is convex to bell-shaped, measuring 1-4 cm in diameter, with a smooth surface and a color that varies from yellowish-brown to dark brown. The cap margin is often striate and may become wavy with age. The stem is slender, measuring 2-7 cm long and 0.1-0.3 cm thick, with a yellowish-brown to dark brown color and a smooth texture. The gills are narrowly spaced, adnate to adnexed, and yellowish-brown in color. Galerina marginata is primarily distributed across Europe and North America, where it can be found in forests, growing on decaying wood or plant debris, particularly in wet or marshy areas. It prefers moist, acidic environments and can be encountered from late spring to late autumn. The spores of Galerina marginata are smooth, ellipsoidal, and measure approximately 8-11 x 5-6 µm. This fungus produces a large number of spores, with a single mature fruiting body capable of releasing millions of them. These spores are dispersed by the wind, allowing the fungus to colonize new areas. Galerina marginata is highly toxic, containing deadly amatoxins, which can cause fatal liver and kidney damage if ingested. Due to its similarity in appearance to some edible species, mushroom foragers should exercise extreme caution when collecting mushrooms to avoid misidentification and accidental consumption of toxic species.