Entoloma vernum - Энтолома весенняя - Spring Entoloma

Entoloma vernum - Энтолома весенняя - Spring Entoloma - Frühlings-Schleierling 5/3/23

Entoloma vernum, known as Spring Entoloma or Frühlings-Schleierling in German, is a small to medium-sized mushroom belonging to the family Entolomataceae. The cap of this mushroom is 2-6 cm in diameter and can range in color from grayish-white to pale brown. The cap surface is smooth and can be slightly hygrophanous, meaning it may change color when wet. The cap margin is often incurved when young, becoming flat or slightly uplifted with age. The gills of E. vernum are adnate to emarginate and closely spaced, with a white to pale gray color that may develop pinkish-brown tones as the mushroom matures. The stem of this fungus is 3-9 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm thick, with a cylindrical shape and a similar color to the cap. The stem's base may be slightly swollen, and it often has a white mycelial thread at the bottom. Entoloma vernum is a saprotrophic species, meaning it decomposes organic matter. It is commonly found in deciduous and mixed forests, particularly in areas with beech trees (Fagus spp.). This mushroom has a widespread distribution in Europe and North America, where it is typically found in temperate regions. The fruiting period of E. vernum occurs in spring, hence the common name Spring Entoloma. The spores of Entoloma vernum are angular, measuring 8-12 x 6-9 micrometers, with a pinkish-brown spore print. The edibility of Entoloma vernum is not well-established, and it is not recommended for consumption due to the potential confusion with toxic Entoloma species. There is limited information available on the chemical composition of E. vernum, and further research is needed to uncover its specific compounds. Identification of E. vernum should be done with caution, as it can be confused with other Entoloma species, some of which are toxic.