jimmymac2

Here are some further images.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your response. What sort of microscopy is necessary? I will try and work out the exact host tomorrow. Grass ID is something I’ve been really working on recently although I’ve barely made any progress and I really am helpless at it!

James

Thanks Roy, that does look like a very good match.

Hi Adam

I didn’t personally see a clear volva however there may have been a less distinct one present. On this occasion I refrained from uprooting or collecting the fungus, except for a tiny portion of the cap for a spore deposit. I normally wouldn’t do this however it is a very special reserve and there was only a single fruiting body. It’s a well recorded reserve too, so I’m sure that there’s a high chance of the species, whatever it is, already being recorded here.

On other occasions, when it’s not on a special reserve or there is more than one fruiting body, I would have uprooted it to see the gills.

James

Thanks Mike, that does look very similar. Looked at the entry in Phillips, couldn’t find anything that doesn’t fit. The area was grassy before the woodchips appeared.

James

Thanks John, I’ll try and let them mature and I’ll let you know how they get on.

James

Lyophyllum decastes does look like a good match, thank you. I have attached a couple of photos of the spores, I think they are a little too big and the wrong shape for this species though? They remind me of Russula spores.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the advice. I have used that tape technique before when collecting pollen from flowers, but had never thought of using it for mycology. Much appreciated.

Regards,

James