Spectacular Rustgill (Gymnopilus junonius)

Edibility: poisonous.

Notes: This mushroom contains the psycho-active chemical psilocybin. It is also extremely bitter.

Cap: size 6-15cm; colour orange/brown; shape convex at first, then flattened with a broad umbo.

Gills: yellow at first, then rusty brown as the spore mature; gills join the stem to the full depth of the gill. Neither curving up to the cap or running down the stem." class="glossary_link" href="/mushrooms/glossary#adnate">adnate; crowded; broad.

Stem: length 6-12cm; width 1-3cm; colour paler than the cap; swelling toward the base; membranous ring soon collapsing into a less distinct ring-zone.

Spores: rusty brown.

Flesh: pale yellow.

Habitat: found growing tufted on the stumps of deciduous trees.

Frequency: common.