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Yes, the aborted form is edible...not sure about the unaffected Entoloma? You have to be very careful about your ID, though, making certain that you don't have an Amanita button, etc,....
Don't think this is a fungus. Most likely a moss, although I am unable to ID it for you!
Widely distributed in eastern North America; fairly common. This is indeed a strange looking mushroom! There is good evidence to suggest that the "aborted" (disfigured) form is caused by some type of interaction of the Entoloma with species of Honey Mushrooms (Armillaria sp.).
Sorry I can't link you to a reference source...Wikapedia is always a good bet. This mushroom is widely distributed in North America and may also go by the scientific name of Amanita jacksonii, A. caesarea or A. umbonata.
Good edible common in Chinese cuisine. Grows on decaying wood. Widely distributed throughout North America, fairly common.
Check the genus spelling in your image caption!
Grows/common on hardwoods, especially Beech. The cap of Xeromphalina is typically yellowish orange to orange-brown, the stalk becomes reddish brown and grows on well decayed conifer wood. Also, Xeromphalina has a very depressed cap center.
Thanks, Keith! I am new to this...mycology is my usual area.
