Extract from Wikipedia article: Hebeloma crustuliniforme, commonly known as poison pie or fairy cakes, is a gilled mushroom of the genus Hebeloma found in Europe and North America, and has been introduced into Australia. Its specific name derives from the Latin crustulum or little biscuit. It is moderately poisonous.
Hebeloma crustuliniforme is a species of mushroom that belongs to the family Hymenogastraceae. It has a bell-shaped to convex cap, 3-6 cm in diameter, with a smooth, moist surface that ranges from pale brown to grayish-brown. The gills are crowded, free from the stem, and whitish to pinkish-buff. The stem is 4-8 cm tall, 0.5-1.5 cm thick, and has a fibrous, pruinose surface. In East and Central Texas, Hebeloma crustuliniforme typically fruits in late fall to early winter, often in association with oak, pine, or other deciduous trees. It can be found growing solitary or in small groups on the ground in wooded areas, particularly in moist, rich soils. The fungus is considered edible, but not highly prized due to its mild flavor and soft texture.
Poison pie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) in a pine forest on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 N Wilderness Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of poison pie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 N Wilderness Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of poison pie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 N Wilderness Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, January 6, 2021 1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Underside of poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, January 6, 2021 1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 1, 2021 Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Washington County, Texas, 77880, United States
Poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) under elm and hackberry trees in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 1, 2021 Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Washington County, Texas, 77880, United States
Upper view of poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) in a dried pool in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 22, 2023 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Poisonpie mushrooms (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) in a dried pool in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 22, 2023 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Underside of a poisonpie mushroom (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) in a dried pool in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 22, 2023 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores (in lugol, spore print brown, stacked image) of a poisonpie mushroom (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) from a dried pool, collected 2 days before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 24, 2023
Spores of a poisonpie mushroom (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) from a dried pool, collected 2 days before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 24, 2023
AI-generated summary of observations
Hebeloma crustuliniforme was observed in various locations across East and Central Texas. In Sam Houston National Forest, they were found growing in a pine forest on North Wilderness Loop Trail near Richards in December 2020. Similar observations were made in College Station on Kiwanis Nature Trail in January 2021. The mushrooms were also spotted in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site under elm and hackberry trees in December 2021. In Lick Creek Park, they were found growing in a dried pool in November 2023. Observations included notes on the underside of the mushrooms, as well as spore prints, which were brown in color. The fungus was observed to grow in association with various tree species, including pine, elm, and hackberry. The observations spanned several years, from 2020 to 2023, indicating a widespread presence in the region.