Trooping Funnel (Infundibulicybe geotropa)

Other names: monk’s head; giant funnel, rickstone funnel cap

When to see: September-December

This common mushroom, with a typical mushroom smell, is found in mixed woodland, often in clearings. They are often found standing in ‘troops’ (straight lines/ranks or arcs) or in rings.

This cream-coloured mushroom has a convex cap that eventually becomes funnel-shaped. The gills are similarly cream-coloured. The stems are very long and thick: they can reach between 20-30cm in height and 2-6cm thickness. Unlike the Porcelain Fungus, the trooping funnel mushroom has no ring on its stem. But, like the porcelain fungus, it is also grouped as being saprophytic, i.e. growing on dead or decaying organic matter.

One grouping of trooping funnels was found along Crawley Dene growing in the classic ‘fairy ring’ formation. The ring had a diameter of 5 meters (see photo below).

Edible?

Yes*.

* WARNING: Unless you are 100% confident that you know what you are doing, NEVER EAT wild mushrooms – many are poisonous and/or can cause severe illness. Look but don’t eat!

Sources

Infundibulicybe geotropa [WWW] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infundibulicybe_geotropa Accessed 20 October 2022.

Trooping Funnel – Clitocybe geotropa [WWW] https://www.foragingcoursecompany.co.uk/foraging-guide-trooping-funnel Accessed 20 October 2022.

Trooping Funnel [WWW] https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/trooping-funnel/ Accessed 20 October 2022.