Funeral Bell
Distribution
Cosmopolitan distribution across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America. Found on the West Coast of the US, Pacific Northwest, California, Idaho, and throughout temperate regions globally.
Habitat
Saprotrophic decomposer of rotting wood. Grows in clusters on decaying coniferous and broadleaf logs, stumps, and buried wood. Found in deeply shaded forest environments, on mossy wood, and occasionally on lawns over buried wood.
Season
Late spring through early winter (primarily autumn, though spring fruiting also occurs). Very long fruiting season.
Toxin Type
Amatoxins, G. oregonensis
Symptoms
Overview: Amatoxin poisoning with the same three-phase syndrome as deadly Amanitas. Phase 1 Gastrointestinal: 6-24 hours after eating: severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and profuse diarrhea. Mechanism: Amatoxins inhibit RNA polymerase II, identical mechanism to Amanita phalloides.