identify fungi cluster?

[Roland Carson]

I am new to this forum.
Can anyone help me to identify this cluster of fungi?
They are growing in open grass with scattered willow trees.
They smell like mushrooms and grow in a crowded cluster.

Thank you.

[NickCantle]

Hey and welcome to WAB,

Due to the cracking nature of the cap and the time of year, I
would suggest you might have an Agrocybe species.

Nick

[CapAndBracket]

i'm inclined to agree with nick, i had been staring at the image hopeing one
of the upper fungi had droped spores on a lower one giving us a clue, but
unfortunately that dosn't seem to have happened.

and welcome to WAB.

Cheers J.P.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

i'm inclined to agree with nick, i had been staring at the image hopeing one
of the upper fungi had droped spores on a lower one giving us a clue, but
unfortunately that dosn't seem to have happened.

and welcome to WAB.

Cheers J.P.

I actually think it has dropped spores - look to the left of that Y-shaped bit of grass in the centre of the cluster

and also at 6 o'clock . . . spore colour looks right for Nick's suggestion

C

[Roland Carson]

Thanks people,
I would like to be able to identify which agrocybe but I can't find this one anywhere in my books.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Roland Carson

Thanks people,
I would like to be able to identify which agrocybe but I can't find this one anywhere in my books.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

the way it has cracked would point to Agrocybe dura (= Agrocybe molesta) but other species - particularly A. praecox at this time of year - can have a similar appearance . . . in addition it appears that A. praecox is actually a species-complex . . . .

the simplest way to tell dura from praecox is by spore size and other micro-features; this is a litany you will regularly come across in this forum I'm afraid, there is a limit to how far you can get with looking at pictures - sometimes a definite ID but more often to a genus or group of species (and sometimes nothing)

and be aware that not all pictures (particularly on the web) are correctly named (that goes for some well-known books as well)

I hope that hasn't come across as too negative - please continue to post any queries you have: notes on smell, spore colour, different views from several angles, a good shot of the carefully-excavated stem base are all very helpful as well

cheers

Chris

[Alantb]

I agree about Agrocybe. Can I see a largish ring on the top left-hand specimen? That would perhaps tend to indicate A. dura rather than A. praecox . And there is the invader A. rivulosa, maybe trying to get off wood chip into soil, which also has a good solid ring??

Alan