Gymnopilus is a genus of gilled mushrooms within the fungal family Hymenogastraceae containing over 200 rusty-orange spored mushroom species.

Description

The fruit body is typically reddish brown to rusty orange to yellow, medium to large, often with a well-developed veil.

Similar genera

Members of Pholiota and Cortinarius are easy to confuse with Gymnopilus. Pholiota can be distinguished by its viscid cap and duller (brown to cinnamon brown) spores, and Cortinarius grows on the ground. Beginners can confuse Gymnopilus with Galerina, which contains deadly poisonous species.

Taxonomy

Gymnopilus was formerly divided among Pholiota and the defunct genus Flammula. The genus has over 200 species worldwide.

Psychoactive species

Fourteen members of Gymnopilus contain psilocybin, although their bitter taste often deters recreational users. These species include G. aeruginosus, G. braendlei, G. cyanopalmicola, G. dilepis, G. intermedius, G. junonius, G. luteofolius, G. luteoviridis, G. luteus, G. purpuratus, G. subearlei, G. subpurpuratus, G. validipes and G. viridans. Subspecies of G. junonius from Japan are reported to contain psilocybin, while some western North American members do not. Several species of Gymnopilus contain bis-noryangonin [4-hydroxy-6-(4-hydrostyryl)-2-pyrone] and hispidine [4-hydroxy-6-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-2-pyrone], which are closely related to the alpha-pyrones found in kava.

Phylogeny

A 2003 phylogenetics study identified five well-supported clades within Gymnopilus: Although the genus Gymnopilus was found to be monophyletic, the phylogenetically related groups do not support the traditional infrageneric classifications based on morphology.

Etymology

The name means naked pileus.

Habitat

Most members of Gymnopilus grow on wood but at times may appear terrestrial if the wood is buried or decomposed.