Stropharia eruginosa is one of very few green
fungi. The caps, initially bell-shaped, flatten and turn paler from the
centre. White scales near the cap rim help to identify this unusual
fungus.
Cap |
Young caps are bell-shaped, blue-green and
slimy, peppered with small white veil fragments. Older specimens, like the
one illustrated here, are paler and scaly mainly near the rim of the cap,
which expands but does not completely flatten out. The slime dries up on
older caps, which gradually turn pale tan from the centre outwards.
The cap diameter at maturity ranges between 2 and 8 cm. |
Gills
|
At first pale grey, the crowded sinuate gills
become purple-brown as the spores mature. |
Stipe |
White above the ring, which is transient and soon discoloured by falling
spores; pale blue-green below and peppered with small white scales. 5 to 12
mm in diameter and 2 to 6 cm tall. |
Spore print |
Purple-black. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. Inedible and probably
poisonous. |
Habitat |
In small groups among grass and occasionally
leaf litter in woodland and in pasture. |
Season |
July to October. |
Occurrence |
Fairly frequent, especially in chalky areas. |
Similar species |
- Clitocybe odora is also blue-green but does not have a slimy
cap with scales; it has a strong odour of aniseed.
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