Group of Fungi: Agarics

Family: Mycenaceae

Latin Name: Mycena galericulata (Scop.) Gray

Common Name: Common Mycena

Description: Total height 2–5 in (5–12.5 cm); cap 3/4–2 in (2–5 cm) wide, bell-shaped at first but becoming broadly convex in age, buff-brown, tan-brown to pale brownish-grey, striate to wrinkled; margin incurved at first and then spreading outward; gills well separated, pallid to white when young but becoming pale-grey to buff-brown in age, sometimes with a pinkish tinge; stalk 1 3/4–4 3/4 (4.5–12 cm) long,1/16–1/4 in (0.15–0.5 cm) in diameter, grayish white above and darker gray to brown below; spores white in mass.

Biological Role: Decomposer of wood.

Habitat: On decaying wood of broadleaf trees; usually occurring in small clusters.

Geographical Distribution: Found throughout North America.

Comments: There are several other similar species of Mycena that have brown to gray caps and occur on decaying wood. However, Mycena galericulata tends to be the most common and widespread. It is relatively larger than most other species of Mycena. Although sometimes listed as edible, Mycena glaericulata is too small to be worth collecting for human consumption.