Help with identification please

[Paul_whitby]

I found this unsual looking specimen in my butterfly garden in March. It's was very fragile and disappeared within 48 hours of emerging. As you can see from the picture, the head consists entirely of gills curling forward in an almost flower head like arrangement - is this a deformity?

Any help in identification greatly appreciated

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Paul_whitby

I found this unsual looking specimen in my butterfly garden in March. It's was very fragile and disappeared within 48 hours of emerging. As you can see from the picture, the head consists entirely of gills curling forward in an almost flower head like arrangement - is this a deformity?

Any help in identification greatly appreciated.

Hi Paul and welcome to WAB

Your fungus is Coprinus lagopus and is very typical of this species.

John

[diggleken]

Hi John (with temerity) is this lagopus or lagopides do you think?
Ken

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Hi John (with temerity) is this lagopus or lagopides do you think?
Ken

Hi Ken

The absence of any fibrillose veil remnants make me suggest C. lagopus. Although you would still need to look at the spores to be 100% certain

John