MushieFool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa)
Poisonous
Fool's funnel is a small, whitish to pale buff, wavy-capped mushroom that grows in grass rings. It contains muscarine and is poisonous.
| Scientific name | Clitocybe rivulosa |
|---|---|
| Other names | Rasen-Trichterling · Clitocybe blanchâtre · Clitocybe dealbata |
| Family | Tricholomataceae |
| Season | Aug – Nov |
| Habitat | Lawns, meadows and woodland edges, often in rings |
| Range | Europe and North America |
| Spore print | White |
| Smell | Mild, floury or sweetish |
How to identify Fool's funnel
| Cap | Whitish to pinkish-buff, 2–5 cm, flat to funnel-shaped, often with faint concentric rings |
|---|---|
| Underside | Crowded white to cream gills running down the stem |
| Stem | Short, whitish, no ring |
| Smell | Mild, floury or sweetish |
| Spore print | White |
Is Fool's funnel edible or poisonous?
Poisonous. Contains muscarine, which causes heavy sweating, salivation, tears and slow heartbeat. It can be dangerous, and in rare cases fatal.
Fool's funnel look-alikes
Fairy ring champignons have wiry stems and widely spaced gills.
When does Fool's funnel grow?
Fool's funnel is typically found Aug – Nov in lawns, meadows and woodland edges, often in rings. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Fool's funnel edible?
No. Fool's funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa) is poisonous. Contains muscarine, which causes heavy sweating, salivation, tears and slow heartbeat. It can be dangerous, and in rare cases fatal. Do not eat it.
What does Fool's funnel look like?
Whitish to pinkish-buff, 2–5 cm, flat to funnel-shaped, often with faint concentric rings. Underside: crowded white to cream gills running down the stem. Stem: short, whitish, no ring.
What are the look-alikes of Fool's funnel?
The main look-alike is Fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades). Fairy ring champignons have wiry stems and widely spaced gills.
When and where does Fool's funnel grow?
Fool's funnel is usually found from Aug to Nov. Habitat: lawns, meadows and woodland edges, often in rings. Range: Europe and North America.
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Clitocybe rivulosa. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.