Gymnopilus

The fruit body is typically reddish brown to rusty orange to yellow, medium to large, often with a well-developed veil. Members of Pholiota and Cortinarius are easy to confuse with Gymnopilus. Pholiota can be distinguished by its viscid cap and duller (brown to cinnamon brown) spores, and Cortinarius grows on the ground. Beginners can confuse Gymnopilus with Galerina, which contains deadly poisonous species. Gymnopilus was formerly divided among Pholiota and the defunct genus Flammula. The genus has over 200 species worldwide. Fourteen members of Gymnopilus contain psilocybin, although their bitter taste often deters recreational users. These species include G. aeruginosus, G. braendlei, G. cyanopalmicola, G. dilepis,G. intermedius, G. junonius, G. luteofolius, G. luteoviridis, G. luteus, G. purpuratus, G. subearlei, G. subpurpuratus, G. validipes and G. viridans. Subspecies of G. junonius from Japan are reported to contain psilocybin, while some western North American members do not.