Gymnopilus is a genus of gilled
mushrooms within the
fungal family
Strophariaceae containing about 200 rusty-orange spored mushroom species formerly divided among
Pholiota and the defunct genus
Flammula. The fruiting body is typically reddish brown to rusty orange to yellow, medium to large, often with a well-developed veil. Most members of
Gymnopilus grow on wood but at times may appear terrestrial if the wood is buried or decomposed. 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.