brown bear

Autumn skullcap(Galerina marginata) & sheathedwoodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis)autumn skullcapsheathed woodtuftBoth the dangerously toxic autumn skullcap and thegood edible mushroom sheathed woodtuft grow inclumps on wood. Both species are characterised bya “two-colour” cap – the dried part is lighter and themoist one darker.Several distinguishing features require a skilled eyeand nose: autumn skullcap is less fleshy and theclumps are smaller than those of sheathed woodtuft;autumn skullcap grows on conifer stumps, whilesheathed woodtuft grows on decaying hardwood(but in rare cases also on conifers); autumn skullcapsmells like flour.The clearest distinguishing feature can be seen onthe stipe below the collar: in autumn skullcap, thelower part of the stipe is whitish, with longitudinalfibrils, while in sheathed woodtuft it is covered withbrown shaggy scales.Autumn skullcap grows in coniferous and mixedforests, while sheathed woodtuft can be foundnot only in forests but also in wooded meadows,clearcuts and brushwoods.Deadly poisonous & edible mushroom species that are easily mixed upEstonian Museum of Natural History•Dangerous Nature: Myths & Reality23