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Gymnopilus spectabilis

Gymnopilus spectabilis

(Fr.) P.D. Orton

Family: Strophariaceae
Order: Agaricales
Class: Agaricomycetes
Phylum / Division: Basidiomycota
Kingdom: Fungi

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Description


Gymnopilus junonius is a type of mushroom-forming fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. Commonly known as the spectacular rustgill, or laughing Jim, this large orange mushroom is typically found growing on tree stumps, logs, or tree bases. It is found in Europe, Australasia and South America. It is inedible and contains some neurotoxins.

 The cap ranges from across, bun-shaped at first, then is convex to flat; it is bright yellow-orange in younger specimens and orange-brown or reddish brown in older ones, with a dry scaly surface. The flesh is yellow, the odor mild and taste bitter. The stem is long, 1–5 cm thick, and often narrows near the base. The frail ring is dusted with rusty orange spores, and the gill attachment to the stem is adnate to sub-decurrent. It stains red with KOH and turns green when cooked. The spore print is rusty brown.

Unlike psychoactive relatives in the Psilocybe genus, G. junonius lacks psilocybin and does not stain blue, but smaller specimens occasionally exhibit bruising. This mushroom usually grows in clusters from several to several dozen individuals, but sometimes grows solitary. It is inedible due to its bitter taste.

Similar species: This mushroom is often mistaken for Gymnopilus ventricosus, which also contains no psilocybin, and G. luteus and G. subspectabilis, which do. It also resembles Armillaria mellea and Omphalotus olivascens.

Distribution and habitat: Gymnopilus junonius is found in Europe, Australasia and South America. It grows in dense clusters on stumps and logs of hardwoods and conifers. This mushroom is most common in moist, lowland wooded areas near rivers.

This species does not occur in North America, with similar mushrooms often being misidentified.

Biochemistry: This mushroom contains bis-noryangonin and hispidin, which are structurally related to alpha-pyrones found in kava. It also contains neurotoxins known as oligoisoprenoids, such as gymnopilin.

Source: Wikipedia, article Gymnopilus spectabilis. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 17/07/2026.





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Species photographs

Count: 3

Foto
Photography ID: 539083
  Adult

Caldas
Minas Gerais
Brazil
06/20/2023
Valquiria Fernanda Luz
Foto
Photography ID: 525415
  Mature Fruitbody

Gualeguaychú
Entre Ríos
Argentina
08/08/2008
Daniel Fabián Barrios
Foto
Photography ID: 446361
  Mature Fruitbody

Luján
Buenos Aires
Argentina
05/26/2021
Desalvo T. Benjamin


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Species records

Count: 3



Page 1 of 1
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
178214320/06/2023BrazilMinas GeraisCaldasValquiria Fernanda Luz
140739426/05/2021ArgentinaBuenos AiresParque de la Independencia, LujánDesalvo T. Benjamin
172734108/08/2008ArgentinaEntre RíosReserva Las Piedras, GualeguaychúDaniel Fabián Barrios
Page 1 of 1

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Gymnopilus spectabilis – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 10/10/2026.