Synonyms: Agaricus foetidus, Agaricus venosus, Chamaeceras foetidus, Heliomyces foetidus, Marasmiellus foetidus, Marasmius foetidus, Marasmius rufocarneus, Merulius foetidus, Micromphale foetidum, Micromphale rufocarneum, Micromphale venosum.
Common name: foetid parachute.
Gymnopus foetidus is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Omphalotaceae. It is characterized by its small to medium size, bell-shaped to convex cap that ranges in color from grayish-brown to reddish-brown, and a slender stem with a strong unpleasant odor. In East and Central Texas, Gymnopus foetidus typically fruits in late summer to early fall, often growing in clusters on decaying wood, especially oak and pine, in wooded areas and along streams. The fungus is relatively common in the region, particularly in the eastern parts of the Edwards Plateau and the Piney Woods ecoregion.
Cap of Gymnopus foetidus mushroom on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018
Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of Gymnopus foetidus mushroom on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of Gymnopus foetidus mushroom on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, September 22, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on a picnic site under red cedar trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, October 10, 2018P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Masses of Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on a picnic site under red cedar trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, October 10, 2018P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Caps of Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on a picnic site under red cedar trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, October 10, 2018P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Gymnopus foetidus mushrooms on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 11, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of mushrooms Xanthoconium purpureum and Gymnopus foetidus on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Upper view of foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Caps of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Upper and side views of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Gills of a mushroom Gymnopus foetidus on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2022
Foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 31, 2022North Wilderness Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus (spore print white) collected near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 31, 2022
Foetid parachute mushrooms (Gymnopus foetidus(?)) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 4, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus near a burned site under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Spores of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus from a burned site under juniper trees, collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
Mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus(?) in dense bushes on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 16, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Top view of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 16, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Underside of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 16, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Gymnopus foetidus(?) from dense bushes, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 16, 2024The fungus Gymnopus foetidus was observed in East and Central Texas over a period of six years (2018-2024). The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, particularly on Caney Creek Trail, with additional observations in Lake Bryan Park and Lick Creek Park. The mushrooms were found growing on floodplains, under trees such as red cedar and juniper, and in burned areas. Observations included various views of the mushrooms, including caps, gills, and spores. Some observations noted the presence of other mushroom species alongside Gymnopus foetidus. The sightings occurred during summer and early fall months, with a few observations in May. The consistent presence of Gymnopus foetidus in these areas suggests it is a common species in East and Central Texas. Spore prints were also collected and analyzed, confirming the identity of the species.
Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
This web page was generated by a special script.