Extract from Wikipedia article: Hebeloma mesophaeum, commonly known as the veiled hebeloma is a species of mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. Like all species of its genus, it might be poisonous and result in severe gastrointestinal upset; nevertheless, in Mexico this species is eaten and widely marketed.
Hebeloma mesophaeum is a species of mushroom that grows in association with trees, particularly oak and pine. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from September to November, producing medium-sized caps that are brown to grayish-brown, often with a distinctive umbo. The gills are crowded and pale, and the stem is slender and fibrillose. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodland edges, roadsides, and lawns, often in areas with rich soil and abundant organic matter.
Small mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum on a burned site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, November 17, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum on a site of recent prescribed buen on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, November 17, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Underside of veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum on a burned site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, November 17, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Small veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum under post oaks in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2023 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum(?) mushrooms under post oaks in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2023 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum(?) under post oaks collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2023
Small veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum on burned soil on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Side view of small veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum on burned soil on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Small single veiled poisonpie mushroom Hebeloma mesophaeum (spore print rusty brown) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Underside of a small veiled poisonpie mushroom Hebeloma mesophaeum on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores (in KOH) of small veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum from burned soil, collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Spore size 8.7 - 9.3 × 4.4 - 4.75 µm, length to width ratio Q = 1.9 - 2.09.
Spores (in lugol) of small veiled poisonpie mushrooms Hebeloma mesophaeum from burned soil, collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023
Spores (in KOH) of a small single veiled poisonpie mushroom Hebeloma mesophaeum (spore print rusty brown) collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023
AI-generated summary of observations
Hebeloma mesophaeum was observed in East and Central Texas, particularly in burned sites and under post oaks. On November 17, 2021, small mushrooms were found on a burned site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Similar observations were made on the same trail on May 6, 2023, with small veiled poisonpie mushrooms growing on burned soil. The fungus was also found under post oaks in Lick Creek Park, College Station, on April 19, 2023. Spore prints and microscopic examinations of spores in KOH and lugol confirmed the identity of the species. The observations suggest that Hebeloma mesophaeum can thrive in disturbed areas, such as burned sites, and associate with specific tree species like post oaks. The fungus was observed to produce small mushrooms with rusty brown spore prints.