fungi · GBIF taxon 3318221
Common Mycena
Mycena chlorophosAlso known as Greenpepe, Luminescent Mycena, Night-glowing Mushroom
These delicate mushrooms transform subtropical forest floors at night, emitting a constant, eerie pale green glow from their caps and gills. During the day, they appear as unremarkable, sticky, brownish-grey caps growing on decaying logs and fallen twigs. The bioluminescence is strongest when the surrounding temperature is warm and humid, attracting nocturnal insects that may help disperse their spores.
BioluminescentWood-decayingNocturnal-glow
- diet
- Decaying organic matter
- family
- Mycenaceae
- threats
- Habitat loss and deforestation
- life Span
- Fruit bodies last 2 to 5 days
NE
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
- Night Viewing: Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for at least ten minutes to see the soft green glow.
- Handle with Care: These fragile mushrooms bruise easily and collapse quickly if removed from their woody substrate.
- Look on Logs: Search the undersides of damp, decaying hardwood branches after heavy summer rains.