Two fungi for ID assistance

[RobSutton]

I seem to be getting confused with Stropharia - some books suggest Stropharia aeruginosa (copious white veil remains) other suggest caerulea (no ring present) - any ideas?



I got this one down to Agaricus xanthodermus on the basis of the pronounced and rapid yellow staining at the base of the stipe. I've seen photos of others where the whole mushroom stained yellow. These ones didn't despite some fairly prolonged handling. Do they vary in their degree of yellowing or are there any other possibilities?




Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to collect either species for more detailed examination so can't tell you much more about them.

[NickCantle]

Hi Rob,

You're right in your thought train of Stropharia. Yours is S. aeruginosa due to the white scaly stem and the veil remnants. S. caerulea looks a bit more 'bald' compared to S. aeruginosa

Your second one is tricky- a sniff would have helped find out if it was A. xanthodermus. A smell of Iodine would suggest this species.

Nick

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Hi Rob,

You're right in your thought train of Stropharia. Yours is S. aeruginosa due to the white scaly stem and the veil remnants. S. caerulea looks a bit more 'bald' compared to S. aeruginosa

Your second one is tricky- a sniff would have helped find out if it was A. xanthodermus. A smell of Iodine would suggest this species.

Nick

Thanks Nick - I must admit I find sniffing fungi a bit subjective at the moment. Unless you've smelt a lot it's difficult to categorise things and make the necessary comparisons I think. Plus there's always the problem of walking around in civilised company with bits of fungi dripping from your nose

On second thoughts maybe that's not a problem not much of the company I keep could be called civilised - fungus sniffing here I come!

[flaxton]

Rob
Agaricus arvensis has a cogwheel ring like you specimen and can turn yellow on handling but only slowly. Without the aid of knowing the smell and the intense yellowing at the base I would assume xanthoderma.

Mal

[NickCantle]

You mention sniffing fungi being quite subjective- I'm pretty sure if you cut a Yellow Stainer and had a sniff you would be able to tell. I'm sure you'd recoil in shock at the unpleasant smell.

I found a small brown/orange something yesterday and it smells SO strongly of fish- it's amazing/disgusting/baffling.

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I found a small brown/orange something yesterday and it smells SO strongly of fish- it's amazing/disgusting/baffling.

Even more so without the picture

Mal

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

...

I found a small brown/orange something yesterday and it smells SO strongly of fish- it's amazing/disgusting/baffling.

Funnily enough I was reading about one that smelt strongly of fish when I was looking up an Inocybe yesterday - it was Inocybe bongardii var pisciodora. You never know?