Gymnopus barbipes is a gilled mushroom that can be found in the summer and fall decomposing deciduous duff and leaf litter.

The stem is distinctively flattnened, hollow, and the basal mycelium binds to its substrate with white rhizomorphs. This mushroom gets its name from the felty white mycelium at the base of the stem (not shown).

The gills are white and shallow. They are attached to the stem or pulling away from it from drying.

The entire fruiting body is elastic and tough, which is distinctive of other Gymnopus as well.

July 7th, 2023 Field Notes - Indian Cave State Park

• Growing solitarily on woodland duff in low riparian woodland area near creek.
• Flat stipe with a red-tan color. Cap surface centrally brown turning white towards margin. Gills close.
• Smell: foul rubber smell.
• Taste: reminiscent of garlic. Long-lasting.
• KOH: slightly olive-gray on pileipellis; Slightly darkening on gills; indistinct on stipe.
• Microscopy: Dextrinoid in Melzer's Reagent.

August 16th, 2023 Field Notes - Indian Cave State Park

• Growing gregariously on Eastern Red Cedar and oak leaf litter on the edge of thin mixed oak woodland.
• Caps with soft pileipellis (mildy subtomentose).
• Gills marginate (white edges with light tan faces), frequent partial gills, not attached to stipe.
• Stipe tan with a white fuzz that matts down when handled, and hollow.
• Basal mycelium white, clinging to nearby duff.
• Smell: foul, like smelly rubber boots.
• Taste: also foul, enough to make breath smell.