Fauna
Fungus

Pinewood Gingertail

Xeromphalina campanella

Also known as Golden Trumpet, Bell Omphalina

Pinewood gingertails are tiny, bell-shaped mushrooms that sprout in dense, gregarious clusters on decaying coniferous wood and decaying stumps across northern temperate forests. Their translucent, orange-brown caps feature deep radial striations and sunken centers that echo their bright yellow gills underneath. These hardy decomposers break down complex wood compounds, playing a vital role in recycling nutrients through evergreen ecosystems.

FungusWood-DecayerClusters
Pinewood Gingertail reference1 / 7
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySaprotrophic (decomposing wood)
Predators
  • Fungal Gnats
  • Slugs
  • Springtails
ThreatsDeforestation and clear-cutting of old-growth forests
HabitatsConiferous forests, pine logs, rotting stumps
Life spanMycelium lives perennially; fruiting bodies last several days
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyMycenaceae
  3. GenusXeromphalina
  4. SpeciesXeromphalina campanella
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Habitat Check: Look for dense troops growing directly out of moist pine, fir, or spruce stumps and logs.
  • Stem Detail: Examine the base of the stem for dark brown velvety hairs characteristic of this genus.
  • Spore Print: Place a mature cap on white paper to observe its pale yellowish spore print.
Related species
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