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Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), whole fruiting body
Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0
Edible species

Trooping funnel

Infundibulicybe geotropa · Tricholomataceae

Formerly named Clitocybe geotropa, this is a large cream to buff mushroom with a funnel-shaped cap that keeps a small central bump, and a long, thick stem.

Last updated: Prepared by the Poros Mantar editorial team8 sources checkedReport a correction

FamilyTricholomataceae
SeasonSep–Jan
Spore printWhite
Cap width8–20 cm
Stem length6–15 cm
Records in Turkey9 records
CultivationWild only
StatusEdible species

Formerly named Clitocybe geotropa, this is a large cream to buff mushroom with a funnel-shaped cap that keeps a small central bump, and a long, thick stem. It often grows in wide rings or rows. It is known as an edible species, but because it resembles poisonous white funnel mushrooms it is never eaten without an expert's identification.

Also called: monk's head Turkish: Büyük huni şapka, malkadın, ebişke, balkadın Synonyms: malkadın, ebişke, balkadın

Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), whole fruiting body

How to recognise it

Trooping funnel, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: White Pleasant, faintly sweet, reminiscent of almonds or hay; firm white flesh.

Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), cap seen from above
Cap8–20 cm, convex then deeply funnel-shaped, usually keeping a small central bump; cream, buff to pale yellowish-brown, with a margin that stays inrolled for a long time.
Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), gills under the cap, seen from below
GillsCream, crowded gills running well down the stem.
Stem6–15 cm, thick and firm, the same colour as the cap or paler, broadening at the base.

When and where

Sep–Jan

  1. Janin season
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Decin season

In Europe it fruits in autumn and early winter; Turkish GBIF records run from October to January.

Type Edible

In season SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary

Colour WhiteBrown

Regions Black Sea RegionAegean RegionMarmara RegionManisaBoluIstanbul

Where does trooping funnel grow?

It grows in clearings of broadleaf and mixed woods, along woodland edges and in grassland, often on chalky soil, forming wide rings or rows and feeding on decaying matter.

Where is trooping funnel found in Turkey?

Turkish records come mostly from İstanbul, especially around Sarıyer, with others from Bolu.

Which months

  1. Jan4
  2. Feb0
  3. Mar0
  4. Apr0
  5. May0
  6. Jun0
  7. Jul0
  8. Aug0
  9. Sep0
  10. Oct2
  11. Nov1
  12. Dec2

3 provinces, 9 observations (GBIF, iNaturalist); months from observation dates. Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest trooping funnel observations

On "illustrative" cards the image is a photo of the species; the observation photo cannot be shown here because of its licence, but can be seen at the source.

Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), in its natural habitat
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Trooping funnel can be mistaken for the species below. Each card shows the look-alike and how it differs from Trooping funnel.

Trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa), whole fruiting body
This species Trooping funnel
Common funnel (Infundibulicybe gibba) Edible species

not Trooping funnel

Common funnel Infundibulicybe gibba

Smaller, with a short slender stem and no clear central bump.

Fool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa) Poisonous

not Trooping funnel

Fool's funnel Clitocybe rivulosa

Much smaller, whitish and frosted-looking, forming rings in grass; it contains muscarine and causes serious poisoning.

Livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum), whole fruiting body Poisonous

not Trooping funnel

Livid pinkgill Entoloma sinuatum

Its gills do not run down the stem and turn pink with age, the spore print is pink and the cap is not funnel-shaped.

Clouded funnel (Clitocybe nebularis), whole fruiting body Inedible

not Trooping funnel

Clouded funnel Clitocybe nebularis

It also grows in rings, but its cap is smoky grey without a clear central bump and its stem is short and thick.

Tawny funnel (Paralepista flaccida), whole fruiting body Inedible

not Trooping funnel

Tawny funnel Paralepista flaccida

The tawny funnel is smaller, orange-brown and short-stemmed, without a clear central bump, and grows in dense groups on litter. Its edibility is disputed and it resembles the poisonous Paralepistopsis amoenolens.

How to cook and eat trooping funnel

Safety first. Some small white to cream funnel mushrooms contain muscarine and are poisonous, so this species is only gathered once its large size, long thick stem, central bump and white spore print have all been confirmed. It is eaten only after an expert's identification and thorough cooking.

How to prepare it

Use only young mushrooms: older ones lose their taste and turn leathery. Remove the tough stems and wipe the caps with a damp cloth.

How to cook it

In northern Italy it is roasted, cooked in stews and frittatas, or preserved in oil.

What goes with it?

  • young trooping funnels
  • eggs
  • extra virgin olive oil (about 1½ tbsp)
  • garlic
  • flat-leaf parsley

Source: Wikipedia · practical details from our recipes.

Recipe

Trooping funnel frittata, made with trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa) Breakfast Trooping funnel frittata Young trooping funnels sautéed with garlic and parsley, then set with eggs under a lid: an easy northern Italian frittata. 35 min Trooping funnel

How to store trooping funnel

Fresh · fridge3–7 daysKeep fresh trooping funnel unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge; delicate species are at the short end. Source
FrozenA few monthsFreeze trooping funnel cooked, not raw: sauté and cool them first. Source
DriedA few months – 1 yearKeep dried trooping funnel in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Source

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Grow it, buy it

Trooping funnel price list

Trooping funnel price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Fresh trooping funnelMade to order · ask—
Dried trooping funnelMade to order · ask—

We make our trooping funnel products in small batches, to order; send a request and we email you the price and delivery date. The market column shows prices seen on other sellers' pages on the date given; they are not our prices and may have changed.

Mushroom grow kits →

Frequently asked questions

Is the trooping funnel edible?

It is known as an edible species. Because it can be confused with poisonous funnel mushrooms, never eat it without an expert's identification.

Is it the same as Clitocybe geotropa?

Yes. The species was formerly known as Clitocybe geotropa; its current name is Infundibulicybe geotropa.

Does it have a Turkish name?

We found no established, sourced Turkish folk name; on this page we use the descriptive name büyük huni şapka.

How do you identify it?

Look for a large cream to buff funnel cap with a small central bump, crowded cream gills running down the stem, a long thick stem and a white spore print; it often grows in rings or rows.

Does it have poisonous look-alikes?

The small white fool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa), found in grass, and the livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum) can be confused with it.

Where and when does it appear in Turkey?

In woodland clearings and edges. GBIF records come mostly from İstanbul, plus Bolu, from October to January.

Which species are malkadın and ebişke?

In the western Black Sea region the names malkadın, balkadın and ebişke are used for Infundibulicybe geotropa (formerly Clitocybe geotropa), which fruits in woodland from late summer to autumn (Karancı and Çetin, 2025). Ebişke is also used for other mushrooms elsewhere, so identify the species, not the name. Because it can be confused with toxic funnel caps, never eat it without an expert's identification.

Is trooping funnel edible?

Yes, trooping funnel is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty: it can be confused with Fool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa) and livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum). Some small white to cream funnel mushrooms contain muscarine and are poisonous, so this species is only gathered once its large size, long thick stem, central bump and white spore print have all been confirmed. It is eaten only after an expert's identification and thorough cooking.

When is trooping funnel season in Turkey?

In our calendar, trooping funnel season runs Sep–Jan. In Europe it fruits in autumn and early winter; Turkish GBIF records run from October to January.

Where does trooping funnel grow?

It grows in clearings of broadleaf and mixed woods, along woodland edges and in grassland, often on chalky soil, forming wide rings or rows and feeding on decaying matter.

Where is trooping funnel found in Turkey?

Turkish records come mostly from İstanbul, especially around Sarıyer, with others from Bolu.

What can trooping funnel be confused with?

Trooping funnel can be confused with common funnel (Infundibulicybe gibba, edible species), Fool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa, poisonous), livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum, poisonous), clouded funnel (Clitocybe nebularis, inedible) and tawny funnel (Paralepista flaccida, inedible). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is trooping funnel called in Turkish?

In Turkish, trooping funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa) is called Büyük huni şapka; other local names include malkadın, ebişke and balkadın.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources

  1. Sevindik ve ark. (2020), Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity: Kuzeybatı Türkiye'den Infundibulicybe geotropa pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Dizeci ve ark. (2021), Mycologia: Clitocybe nebularis ve Infundibulicybe geotropa karşılaştırması pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Karancı, A. ve Çetin, K. (2025). Batı Karadeniz Bölgesi'ndeki Yenilebilir Yabani Mantarların Etnomikolojik ve Gastronomik Değerlerinin İncelenmesi. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies 13(1): 485–514 jotags.net
All sources (8)
  1. Adanacıoğlu ve ark. (2014), ANADOLU (Ege Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü): Türkiye makromantar genetik kaynakları I. Ege Bölgesi dergipark.org.tr
  2. Wikipedia (EN): Infundibulicybe geotropa en.wikipedia.org
  3. First Nature: Infundibulicybe geotropa first-nature.com
  4. GBIF: Türkiye kayıtları gbif.org
  5. iNaturalist: Türkiye gözlemleri inaturalist.org
Photo credits (8)