Leptonia sericella?

[DaveMcC]

I found this growing in some grass beside a lake. My first thought was that it could be a White Leptonia (leptonia sericella). Is this it or is it something else? It wasn’t very big as you can see it in the image with the ivy leaves for scale.

[adampembs]

Looks like Gymnopus dryophilus or G.aquosus

[roy betts]

Spore colour is essential. The image of the gills seems to have very dark spores developing. The basic colour of the gills (vinaceous-buff) suggests this is a Psathyrella sp.

[adampembs]

Yeah, it’s a tough one. The gills look like they have a black deposit but there also a white deposit on the stem. This might be spores, hairs or might be mould.

I put the darker gills down to it being past its best, but Roy is usually right

[adampembs]

“The ‘Leptonia’ or ‘Gymnopus’ is really an over-ripe Bolbitius titubans …

they go like this within the same day and used to catch me out for years

before I saw a fresh bright yellow sample side by side next to an old

specimen.” – Neil Mahler

(received by email)

[DaveMcC]

adampembs wrote:

Yeah, it’s a tough one. The gills look like they have a black deposit but there also a white deposit on the stem. This might be spores, hairs or might be mould.

I put the darker gills down to it being past its best, but Roy is usually right

The white deposit might actually be some ice. I made a slight mistake and put it in the freezer overnight before photographing it and didn’t let it thaw properly first.

adampembs wrote:

“The ‘Leptonia’ or ‘Gymnopus’ is really an over-ripe Bolbitius titubans …

they go like this within the same day and used to catch me out for years

before I saw a fresh bright yellow sample side by side next to an old

specimen.” – Neil

(received by email)

Thanks for the ID. Here is the best image of the gills with spores I have. Next time I want to ID a fungi, I’ll take a spore print as well.

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