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Zephyr mycena (Mycena zephyrus) is a small lamellar mushroom that belongs to the Mycena family and the genus Mycena. First classified in 1818 and erroneously assigned to the Agarikov family. Its other names:
- marshmallow champignon;
- mycena brown common.
A small group of fruiting bodies in a pine forest
What do marshmallow mycenae look like?
The caps of young mushrooms are bell-shaped, with a rounded, pointed top. Over the course of life, they first take on an umbrella-shaped and then a prostrate shape with a tubercle in the center. The edges of the caps are finely toothed, fringed, directed downward, and in overgrown specimens they bend slightly upward, showing the fringe of the hymenophore.
The surface is glossy-dry, slimy and satin-smooth after rain. The skin is thin, the radial lines of the plates are visible.The color is uneven, the edges are noticeably lighter, white and cream, the center is darker, from beige and the color of baked milk to chocolate-ochre. The diameter of the cap ranges from 0.6 to 4.5 cm.
The hymenophore plates are of different lengths, wide, and frequent. Slightly curved, not fused, edges fringed. Snow-white, darkening to creamy beige in older fruiting bodies, with uneven red-brown spots. The pulp is thin, easily broken, white in color, with a characteristic rare odor.
The stalk is thin and relatively long, fibrous, tubular in shape, smooth or slightly curved. The surface has longitudinal grooves, unevenly fringed, slightly moist. The pure white color darkens to an ash-violet towards the root, becoming burgundy-brown in overgrown specimens. The length varies from 1 to 7.5 cm with a diameter of 0.8-4 mm. The spores are colorless, glassy.
Mycena marshmallow - a miniature mushroom with a translucent, glass-like stem
Similar lookalikes
Mycena marshmallow is very similar to some related species of mushrooms.
Mycena fagetorum. Inedible. It is distinguished by a lighter, brownish-cream cap. Its leg also has a grayish-brown tint.
Settles mainly in beech forests, forming mycorrhiza only with this type of deciduous tree
Where do marshmallow mycenae grow?
The fungus is widespread throughout Russia and Europe, and is found in the Far East and Siberia. Zephyr mycena prefers pine forests and also grows in mixed forests next to coniferous trees. It can often be found in moss, where its thin leg reaches quite a long length. It is not demanding on weather conditions and soil fertility.
The period of active fruiting is from September to November, and longer in the southern regions. It forms mycorrhiza with pine trees, less often with juniper and fir. Grows in large and small groups.
Zephyr mycena often hides among forest waste, in grass and moss
Is it possible to eat marshmallow mycenae?
Classified as inedible mushrooms due to their low nutritional value, small size and unpleasant odor of the pulp. No toxicity data available.
Conclusion
Mycena marshmallow is an inedible agaric mushroom belonging to the genus Mycenaceae. You can see it everywhere in pine forests or mixed pine-deciduous forests. Grows from September to November. Inedible due to its thin pulp with a characteristic unpleasant aftertaste. There is no comprehensive scientific information about the substances that make up its composition in the public domain. Has inedible counterparts.
