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Psathyrella hydrophila |
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Psathyrella hydrophila is a very common fungus
in woodlands, where it is found on and around the stumps of deciduous
trees. Although edible once it has been cooked it is not much valued.
Identification guide |
Cap |
The cap is initially hemispherical, becoming
bell-shaped and eventually almost flat. White veil fragments adhere to
and overhang the rim; they get smaller as the fruit body ages,
eventually becoming blackened by spores.
These fragile caps usually crowd together in very tight clumps, some of the caps getting broken as others expand beside them. Initially caps are dark red-brown, fading through date brown to yellow-brown. Mature specimens are noticeably hygrophanous: they change colour depending on whether the surface is moist or dry, becoming pale tan or beige from the edge of the cap in dry weather. |
Gills |
The narrow gills are adnate and quite
closely spaced; initially pinkish beige, they turn deep chocolate brown
and eventually almost black.
The gills of this species are very brittle, |
Stipe
|
Typically 4 to 8 mm in diameter and up to 8
cm long, the stems of this caespitose (clump-forming) fungus are
straight or slightly curved.
A this white ring (the partial veil) soon tears as the cap expands, leaving white fragments attached to the cap rim and little or no evidence on the stem, which has a matt, floury (pruinose) surface near the apex and is much smoother towards the base. As the fruit bodies mature, falling spores darken the stems, most noticeably towards the base. |
Spore print |
Black. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
On the stumps or buried branches of broad-leaved trees; very occasionally on conifer stumps. Favouring damp, darkish woods. |
Season |
March to December, but most plentiful in summer and autumn. |
Occurrence |
Very common. |
Similar species |
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First Nature Multimedia
Guide to Fungi There is a lot more about this species and hundreds of other beautiful and fascinating mushrooms and toadstools on our CD-ROM for PCs with Internet Explorer. Details...
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