Mycena zephyrus (Mycena zephirus) photo and description

Mycena marshmallow (Mycena zephirus)

Mycena zephyrus (Mycena zephirus) is an inedible mushroom of the Mycena family. The fungus is synonymous with Mycena fuscescens Velen.

External description of the fungus

Mycena zephirus (Mycena zephirus) belongs to the category of late autumn mushrooms, its main distinguishing feature is red-brown spots located on the cap.

The diameter of the mushroom cap is from 1 to 4 cm, and in immature mushrooms its shape is characterized as conical, and as it matures it becomes flat, translucent, with a ribbed edge, beige or white, and darker in the central part than along the edges . Red-brown spotting on the cap of marshmallow mycena appears only in mature mushrooms.

Mushroom plates under the hat are initially white, then become beige, in old plants they are covered with red-brown spots.

The pulp of the mushroom is characterized by a slight smell of radish. The surface of the mushroom leg is ragged, and the leg itself is grooved, has a white color from above, turning into a gray or purple hue downwards. In mature mushrooms, the stem becomes wine-brown, while its length is from 3 to 7 cm, and the thickness is within 2-3 mm.

Mushroom spores have no color, are characterized by an ellipsoidal shape and a smooth surface. Their dimensions are 9.5-12*4-5 microns.

Habitat and fruiting period

Marshmallow mycena grows mainly under coniferous trees. The period of active fruiting of the fungus occurs in autumn (from September to November). Also, this type of mushroom can be seen in mixed forests, in the middle of fallen leaves, more often under pine trees, sometimes under juniper trees and fir trees.

Edibility

Mycena zephyrus (Mycena zephirus) belongs to the number of inedible mushrooms.

Similar species, distinctive features from them

In appearance, mycena zephyrus (Mycena zephirus) is similar to an inedible mushroom called beech mycena (Mycena fagetomm). In the latter, the cap has a lighter color, sometimes acquiring a gray-brown or gray color. The stem of the beech mycena is also grey. The fungus grows mainly on fallen beech leaves.