# Galerina Semilanceata

Galerina Semilanceata is a small mushroom that looks like a little umbrella. It's found in grassy areas and is often mistaken for other mushrooms!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate
- **Habitat:** Galerina Semilanceata lives in grassy fields and damp woodlands.
- **Also known as:** Liberty Cap, Magic Mushroom

![Galerina Semilanceata](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Galerina_semilanceata_459834851.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Bubble-Enko, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galerina_semilanceata_459834851.jpg)

## Appearance

The Galerina Semilanceata has a small, conic to bell-shaped cap that is typically yellowish-brown to tawny, fading lighter when dry. Its gills and stem are a rusty-brown, often with a faint ring on the stem, helping distinguish it from similar-looking mushrooms.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Agaricales
- **Family:** Hymenogastraceae
- **Genus:** Galerina

## Interesting facts

- It's often mistaken for edible 'magic mushrooms' by accident!
- Its toxins attack the liver and kidneys, causing organ failure!
- The spores are released in a rusty brown, powdery cloud!
- This tiny mushroom is one of the most deadly in the world!

## Special abilities

- **Toxic Camouflage:** Galerina Semilanceata possesses potent toxins that make it deadly poisonous, looking harmless but protecting it from being eaten.
- **Decomposition Power:** Galerina Semilanceata can break down dead wood and plant matter, returning vital nutrients to the forest soil.
- **Mimicry Master:** Galerina Semilanceata has an appearance similar to edible or psychedelic mushrooms, making it dangerous for foragers to identify.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 2-8 cm
- **Edible:** deadly
- **Size:** 1-4 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Late summer to late autumn
- **Spore Color:** Rusty brown

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [White Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-spruce) (*Picea glauca*) — Feeds on its decaying wood.
- **Depends on:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Decomposes fallen pine logs and needles.
- **Depends on:** [Eastern Hemlock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-hemlock) (*Tsuga canadensis*) — Grows on its dead branches and stumps.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

Always ask an adult before touching or picking wild mushrooms.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Galerina Semilanceata?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Galerina Semilanceata?

2-8 cm

### Is Galerina Semilanceata edible?

deadly

### How big is Galerina Semilanceata?

1-4 cm

### Where is Galerina Semilanceata usually found?

Galerina Semilanceata lives in grassy fields and damp woodlands.

### What does Galerina Semilanceata grow on?

other

### When is Galerina Semilanceata in season?

Late summer to late autumn

### What color are Galerina Semilanceata spores?

Rusty brown

## Where to spot

- [Railtown 1897 State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/railtown-1897-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Galerina Semilanceata: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/galerina-semilanceata)