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Deadly galerina (Galerina marginata)
Alan Rockefeller · CC BY 4.0
Deadly poisonous

Deadly galerina

Galerina marginata · Hymenogastraceae

The deadly galerina is an extremely poisonous little brown mushroom that grows in clusters on wood and carries the same amatoxins as the death cap.

FamilyHymenogastraceae
SeasonAug–Nov
Spore printRusty (snuff) brown
Cap width1–6 cm
Stem length2–8 cm
Records in Turkey4 records
CultivationWild only
StatusDeadly poisonous

The deadly galerina is an extremely poisonous little brown mushroom that grows in clusters on wood and carries the same amatoxins as the death cap. It can be mistaken for edible species such as velvet shank, honey fungus and sheathed woodtuft. Eating it causes severe liver damage.

Also called: funeral bell, deadly skullcap, autumn skullcap Turkish: Ölümcül galerina

Deadly galerina

How to recognise it

Deadly galerina, part by part

No volva Spore print: Rusty (snuff) brown Mealy smell and taste. Never taste it.

Cap — Deadly galerina
Cap1–6 cm; brown to yellow-brown, fading as it dries; convex then flat, sometimes with a boss.
Gills — Deadly galerina
GillsCrowded, pale brown when young, tawny when mature.
Stem — Deadly galerina
Stem2–8 cm, slender, brownish.
Ring — Deadly galerina
RingA clear membranous ring on young specimens; often lost with age.

When and where

Aug–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Augin season
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Dec

The deadly galerina fruits in summer and autumn; in Turkey, GBIF records fall in August, October, November and January.

Where do deadly galerinas grow?

The deadly galerina grows on rotting conifer (sometimes hardwood) stumps, trunks and fallen branches.

In Turkey

The deadly galerina has been recorded in Turkey, but most records do not give a province.

  • Manisa1
  • Kastamonu1
  • İstanbul1
  • Trabzon1

4 observations on our map (GBIF, iNaturalist). Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest deadly galerina observations

See on the map

In its habitat — Deadly galerina
In its habitat
In its habitat — Deadly galerina
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What is it mistaken for?

Edible species

Sheathed woodtuft Kuehneromyces mutabilis

Large clusters, scales on the stem up to the ring, pale cap centre with a darker rim, no mealy smell. Telling them apart takes expertise.

Edible species

Honey fungus Armillaria mellea

Larger, white spore print, big clusters.

Edible species

Velvet shank Flammulina velutipes

White to pale yellow gills, white spore print, velvety dark stem, no ring.

Deadly galerina
Deadly galerina
Wavy cap
Wavy cap
Psilocybin

Wavy cap Psilocybe cyanescens

Confusion with this psilocybin species has had fatal results; the two can grow side by side.

Toxins

The deadly galerina contains the same amatoxins as the death cap. Source

Frequently asked questions

Are deadly galerinas poisonous?

Yes, the deadly galerina is deadly poisonous and must never be eaten. Amatoxin poisoning: vomiting, diarrhoea, hypothermia and death if untreated. If you think it has been eaten, call 112 (Turkish poison centre: 114) without waiting for symptoms.

When is deadly galerina season in Turkey?

In our calendar, deadly galerina season runs Aug–Nov. The deadly galerina fruits in summer and autumn; in Turkey, GBIF records fall in August, October, November and January.

Where do deadly galerinas grow?

The deadly galerina grows on rotting conifer (sometimes hardwood) stumps, trunks and fallen branches.

Where are deadly galerinas found in Turkey?

The deadly galerina has been recorded in Turkey, but most records do not give a province.

What can the deadly galerina be confused with?

The deadly galerina can be confused with sheathed woodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis, edible species), honey fungus (Armillaria mellea, edible species), velvet shank (Flammulina velutipes, edible species) and wavy cap (Psilocybe cyanescens, psilocybin). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is the deadly galerina called in Turkish?

In Turkish, the deadly galerina (Galerina marginata) is called Ölümcül galerina.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (4)
Photo credits (10)