Small Oysterling for Identification Please.

[Lancashire Lad]

Found this today, and think it is Variable Oysterling Crepidotus variabilis but would appreciate confirmation or other.

Size was about 20mm diameter



Regards
Mike.

[mollisia]

Hallo Mike,

Crepidotus species are, with the exception of C. mollis and C. luteolus, not determinable without microscopical details. At least the spore measures and ornamentation is needed, sometimes also if there are clamps or not and sometimes the cheilocystidia. In the areas I have searched for fungi regularily, always C. cesatii/subsphaerosporus was the most common, followed by C. luteolus. C. variabilis was very much less frequent, I didn't had it too often up to now.

best regards,
Andreas

[Lancashire Lad]

Thanks Andreas,

I think I would be best just to log it down as Crepidotus sp. then.

Regards
Mike.

[KeenTeen17]

its probably a dumb question but = why not a panellus sp?
they look quite similar - just check the Gallery

[mollisia]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

its probably a dumb question but = why not a panellus sp?
they look quite similar - just check the Gallery

Hallo KT,

Panellus is a white-spored genus, so it can not have brown gills. Also Panellus alwyas has a little stipe or at least a thick point, where all the gills meet.

But there is another species which can be (and probably often is) confused macroscopically with these two genera: Clitopilus hobsonii. This also is a white crepidotoid fungus, but which has rose coloured sporeprint (as all Clitopilus have). It can be recognized because it is quite pubescent at the cap margin, whereas Panellus mitis is completely naked and the Crepidotus species have a more downlaying cutis. It also has a thin, but clearly visible stipe. But often one needs the spores to be sure.
In the area I live now, in Thuringia, Clitopilus hobsonii is common.

Here is a picture of Clitopilus hobsonii:


best regards,
Andreas