Psathyrella ammophila - Dune Brittlestem

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Dune Brittlestems are saprotrophic on dead Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria), and these little mushrooms can sometimes be found remarkably close to the littoral line, although stable dune slopes and dune slacks are the best places to look for them. Variable in colour but often swarthy, Dune Brittlestems usually occur either singly or in small groups.

The appearance of these salt-tolerant fungi is very variable: compare the dark specimen on th left with the younger cap shown below.

Identification guide

	Cap 3 to 5cm across; initially bell-shaped, flattening; margin not striate; surface pale brown, tan or mid brown, paler in dry weather but usually blackening when very old; smooth, but often coated in sand particles. Gills Adnate, fairly crowded; dingy brown becoming chocolate brown; drying very dark brown, almost black. Stem 3 to 7cm long above the surface, but usually a further 2 to 4cm buried in sand; 2 to 5mm dia.; rooted among Marram Grass; whitish, turning brown with age; no ring.
Spore print	Dark brown.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	On decaying Marram Grass roots and buried stems.
Season	June to November.
Occurrence	Common..
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