Bleeding Bonnet or Terrestrial Bleeding Bonnet
Somewhat smaller than Mycena hematopus, and growing terrestrially rather than on wood, this Mycena likewise exudes a red liquid when cut. It is a widespread species occurring across most of the norther hemisphere where it is a saprophyte that decomposes leaf litter or needle litter. In the PNW it favors fir litter but is occurs under pine and other conifers. The fruit bodies grow in troops but not clusters. They are colored some shade of reddish brown, darker in the center. The caps, which reach 5-15mm broad become furrowed as the caps expands. Caps tend to be conical or bell-shaped with a somewhat peaked umbo. Stipes are colored like the caps and reach 6cm. The gills are well-spaced and adnate. The margins tend to be tinged reddish, with the rest of the gills being greyish or reddish or off-white. There is no distinct odor. The taste is mild, but edibility is unknown. Interestingly predators tend to avoid the fruit bodies. The color comes largely from the pigment sanguinolentaquinone which is red. The fungus appears in spring and fall and can be quite abundant. It is one of 30 or more Mycenas known to be bioluminescent.