Mycena Sp?

[WhiskyBottle]

These were growing in a Cotswold wood. The log is most likely Beech. Cap diameter 3/4 inch max, most smaller. Bottom of stem was 'furry'

Thanks
Martin

[Fungus Ken]

This is probably Mycena arcangeliana, Angel's Bonnet. It is very common, growing in clumps on dead wood. When fresh it tends to have olive tones in the cap and sometimes a hint of lilac in the stem, though these colours fade as it ages or dries out.

Ken

[cybershot]

Beginning to have doubts about this Mycena I posted to the gallery this evening:

[Fungus Ken]

Edited and link added below.

[Fungus Ken]

Mycena arcangeliana grows on deciduous wood. What used to be called Mycena alcalina only grows on conifer wood. Even though the new version of Roger Phillips book on Mushrooms still refers to Mycena alcalina, this name has not been in use for a number of years.

If you look at the online version of the Basidiomycota Checklist you will see that Mycena alcalina is a nomen dubiem because at least two species have been lumped together under this name.

Basidiomycota Checklist-Online - Species Page

The more common of the species with an alkaline smell growing on conifer wood is Mycena stipata.

But if your Mycena is growing on deciduous wood it isn't Mycena stipata/alcalina. If it is on conifer wood it isn't Mycena arcangeliana.

Ken

[cybershot]

Thank you Ken.

Wouldn't it would be useful if favourite online references such as Phillips had a an interactive 'Notes' facility so that you could add all these up-to-date nuggets of information like yours to the appropriate species' entries. We will have to approach Fungi John about compiling a WAB reference containing such useful info as the search facility is not always reliable in finding the exact tit bit amongst all the data on the forums.

David

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by cybershot

Thank you Ken.

Wouldn't it would be useful if favourite online references such as Phillips had a an interactive 'Notes' facility so that you could add all these up-to-date nuggets of information like yours to the appropriate species' entries. We will have to approach Fungi John about compiling a WAB reference containing such useful info as the search facility is not always reliable in finding the exact tit bit amongst all the data on the forums.

David

Hi David et al

First, Sorry I've not been on WAB much ... Its a very busy season!

I have thought about this idea. One of my 'many' plans was to have a visual interactive KEY which would allow you to look at general 'genus' features and then drill down to individual species features.

This could be quite easy for some ... but imagine doing this for Cortinarius

However, even with the best visual index in the world many ID's would still depend on microscopic / chemical analysis.

Anyway going back to your earlier idea of putting the useful stuff together ... I'm sure that we can build something which would be useful

Once I've finished this seasons main fungi events I'll start to look at how best we can do this on the site. Meanwhile if anyone has any ideas please feel free to post.

btw Just so we can keep this information together I'll create a new 'sticky' thread - Improving our Fungi Resource Centre

Yes, a great idea David

Happy Hunting

John