Galerina Species Query

[cybershot]

At first sight, and based solely on the macro properties, I thought these were the deadly Galerina marginata - Funeral Bell, but not a lot fitted the subsequent research. After reference to C&D I veered towards G. uncialis only to be confused again by a contradictory passage in the BC:

"Habitat: On sandy soil, often on dunes, associated with mosses."

My specimens were on a moss covered beech stump, so I would appreciate a steer in the right direction if I'm way off track.



TIA

David

[Chris Yeates]

hi

Kuehneromyces mutabilis comes to mind, but that usually shows a hygrophanous cap, with a paler centre as it dries out

Kuehneromyces was once included in Galerina, but most of the British species in latter genus are not wood-inhabiters as you have found out; Galerina is a difficult genus abd unfortunately does require a microscope - for example most popular books feature a "Galerina hypnorum" but there's a lot of uncertainty as to what the true species actually is!

just a thought

cheers

Chris

[cybershot]

Thanks Chris - Certainly food for thought. I ruled out those with striate caps as per G. hypnorum, and the description of G. uncialis in C&D is so very close (and the illustration's a dead ringer):

"Cap<2cm, glabrous, orange brown, beige ochre when dry,not very striate. G subdecurrent, rusty ochre. St < 7x 0.3cm, more or less stocky, darker below, with whitish bands, ring fleeting. Hab moss, short turf, woody debris"

But yet again without microscopy I will probably be thwarted.

David