Galerina Marginata / Kuehneromyces mutabilis

[GeoffDann]

I wonder if anybody can clear up some confusion here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuehneromyces_mutabilis

...possibility of confusion

...while they are both hygrophanous, K. mutabilis dries from the centre outwards (so having a lighter colour in the centre) and G. marginata dries from the edge inwards,

What is confusing me is the picture of G. marginata in the Complete Collins Guide, because it clearly shows mushrooms drying from the centre. Either the above claim in wikipedia is wrong, or it's the wrong picture in the book. Can anybody tell me which?

[Leif Goodwin]

I find the best indicator is the stem: G. marginata has a silvery stem with a distinct apical ring zone, though that might have rubbed off, and K. mutabilis has a shaggy stem. Still, I prefer not to rely on my skills to avoid poisoning as they are rather similar. I am confidant I can tell them apart ... but ...

They also have a different growth habit. G. marginata is singular or trooping on wood, K. mutabilis is clustered (caespitose) on wood. Now there's a good word to confuse people.

[GeoffDann]

That helps. I found these last week.

Those are trooping, right? They are also drying from the centre.

[Leif Goodwin]

Some are trooping, but the group at left look clustered. Also the cap shape and colour is like K. mutabilis IMO. I cannot see enough stem detail for my liking. Probably K. mutabilis, but not enough detail to be sure, in my opinion anyway.