Mycena epipterygia - Yellowleg Bonnet

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Many of the bonnet fungi are difficult to identify with confidence, but the yellow stems of Mycena epipterygia are a distinguishing feature of this delicate little autumn fungus, which seems to be equalloy at home in woodland or in grassland settings.

This is an inedible species but, because of its tiny size and relative scarcity, it is unlikely that anyone would take on the task of gathering enough for a meal.

Identification Guide

	The translucent nature of these tiny bell cap fungi together with their long, lemon-yellow stems make them relatively easy to find despite their small size.
	Cap 1 to 3cm in diameter when fully mature, the fragile caps are dark olive-brown with a paler edge. Initially bell-shaped, the striate caps expand to be come convex. In some instances the cap edge turns up to reveal the gills. The cap flesh is white and thin.
Gills	Adnate or slightly decurrent, the gills are white or cream with a slight pink tinge when fully mature.
	Stem Relative to the cap size, these bell caps have unusually long, fragile stems. Just 1 to 3mm in diameter, the smooth, lemon-yellow viscid stems are untapering and 3 to 7cm tall with no stem ring. The stem flesh is almost white.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Faintly mealy odour; no distinctive taste.
Habitat	Mostly in coniferous woodland, but a variety of this species is also found in damp grassland and moss.
Season	August to October.
Occurrence	Common.
Similar species	There are many other small, bell-shaped fungi in the Mycena genus; however, the lemon stem of this striking species distinguishes it from the other common species found in similar habitats.