Synonyms: Chamaeceras spongiosus, Collybia spongiosa, Marasmius spongiosus.
Common name: Hairy-stalked Gymnopus.
Gymnopus spongiosus is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Omphalotaceae. It is characterized by its small to medium size, ranging from 1-4 cm in diameter, with a convex to flat cap that is often umbilicate and has a wrinkled or veined appearance. The cap is typically brown to tan in color, while the gills are crowded and white to pale brown. The stem is slender, wiry, and often curved, with a spongy or fibrillose base. In East and Central Texas, Gymnopus spongiosus can be found growing on decaying wood, particularly on deciduous trees such as oak and maple, in moist environments like riverbanks, streams, and woodland edges. Fruiting typically occurs from spring to fall, with a peak in summer months.
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms on rotten wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2017
1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Young Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms growing on rotten wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 20171200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Close up of Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms on rotten wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 20171200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Close up of immature Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms on rotten wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 20171200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Young Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms taken from Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2017
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 20171120 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 7, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms in oak forest on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 7, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms with oak leaves on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 20, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Small mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus growing on buried twigs in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 21, 20171601 Valley View Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Masses of small mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 21, 2017Anderson St, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 15, 20181601 Valley View Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gymnopus spongiosus mushrooms growing on pine needles on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 1, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Hairy-stalked Gymnopus mushrooms (Gymnopus spongiosus(?)) under small oaks in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 25, 2021Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus growing(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 20, 2021Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close-up of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus growing(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 20, 2021Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Hairy-stalked Gymnopus mushrooms (Gymnopus spongiosus) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 20221899, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Spores of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Gills of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus under microscope collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Tissues of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Gills of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus under microscope collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Hyphae of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus under microscope collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Basidia of mushrooms Gymnopus spongiosus under microscope collected in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2022
Hairy-stalked Gymnopus mushrooms (Gymnopus spongiosus)(?) under oaks and pines near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 4, 2024Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of hairy-stalked Gymnopus mushrooms (Gymnopus spongiosus)(?), collected in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 4, 2024
Spore size 7.3 - 8.5 × 3.5 - 3.76 µm, length to width ratio Q = 2 - 2.35.The fungus Gymnopus spongiosus was observed in East and Central Texas over several years. Most observations were made in College Station, specifically in Kiwanis Nature Trail, Bee Creek Park, and Lick Creek Park. The fungus was typically found growing on rotten wood, buried twigs, or pine needles in oak and pine forests. Observations were recorded from November to February, with some summer sightings. The mushrooms were often described as young, immature, or hairy-stalked. Some observations included microscopic examinations of spores, gills, tissues, hyphae, and basidia. The fungus was also found in Sam Houston National Forest, north of Montgomery. Overall, the observations suggest that Gymnopus spongiosus is a common species in the region, particularly in wooded areas with oak and pine trees.
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