The Trooping Funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa) is a large, stately funnel mushroom that grows in troops, arcs and fairy rings, sometimes several metres across, in woodland clearings and along woodland edges. The creamy-buff cap can reach 15 cm or more and keeps a distinct central boss even when it opens into a shallow funnel, while the cap-coloured gills run well down the long, sturdy stem.
It has a strong, pleasant smell. It fruits from late summer into winter, especially in the south. It is edible but must be identified carefully, because smaller white funnels (Clitocybe) contain muscarine and the Livid Pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum) is poisonous; the Livid Pinkgill has a pink spore print and gills that do not run down the stem. You may also see it as Clitocybe geotropa in older books.
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Distribution
Common, especially in the south
Habitat
In broadleaf or mixed woodland, sometimes in open grassy areas
Etymology
Infundibulicybe is from the Latin infundibulum, 'funnel', and the Greek kybe, 'head'. geotropa is Greek for 'turning to the earth', after the down-turned cap margin.
Cap
Smooth and matt, keeping a broad central boss as it opens into a shallow funnel.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Convex, Umbonate, Infundibuliform |
| Surface | Smooth |
| Width | 4 - 15 cm |
| Margin | Smooth |
Gills
Crowded and deeply decurrent, the same colour as the cap.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Decurrent |
| Spacing | Close |
| Edge | Smooth |
Flesh
White, thick and very firm in the cap.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Odour | Strong, pleasant, floral |
| Taste | Mild |
Stem
Long, sturdy and fibrous, thickening towards the base; tough in older specimens.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 - 15 cm |
| Width | 15 - 30 mm |
| Texture | Fibrillose |
| Shape | Cylindric |
Spores
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Lacrymoid |
| Ornamentation | Smooth |
| Size | 7.5-9.5 x 6-7 μm |
Classification
- ↳ Phylum: Basidiomycota
- ↳ Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
- ↳ Class: Agaricomycetes
- ↳ Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- ↳ Order: Agaricales
- ↳ Genus: Infundibulicybe
Synonyms
- Agaricus geotropus Bull.
- Agaricus pileolarius Sowerby
- Clitocybe gangraenosa var. nigrescens (Lasch.) Cooke
- Clitocybe geotropa (Bull. ex St. -Amans) Quel.
- Clitocybe geotropa (Bull.) Quél.
- Clitocybe geotropa var. subinvoluta (W.G. Sm.)
- Clitocybe maxima (Fl. Wett. Fr.) Kummer
- Clitocybe maxima sensu auct. brit.
- Clitocybe subinvoluta sensu Lange [Fl. Ag. Dan. 1: 76 & pl. 34G (1935)]
Reference Sources
T. Læssøe, J. H. Peterson (2019) Fungi of Temperate Europe Vol. 1. Princeton University Press.
G. Kibby (2020) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe Vol. 2. Geoffrey Kibby.
