garden fungus ID

[diggleken]

This little chap is in my veg patch - possibly on old horse manure.
Cap max about 2'', but most are smaller, about half that - he may be on the manure, but cant tell - theres lots of composty stuff in it.
Quite strong mealy/mushroomy smell, not sticky, in small groups only, slightly hollow stem, no ring or veil noticeable.
Conical cap becoming flattened, looks like some sort of velvety finish on the cap?
Maybe a bolbitius?
Any help everyone?
Cheers
Ken

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by diggleken

This little chap is in my veg patch - possibly on old horse manure.
Cap max about 2'', but most are smaller, about half that - he may be on the manure, but cant tell - theres lots of composty stuff in it.
Quite strong mealy/mushroomy smell, not sticky, in small groups only, slightly hollow stem, no ring or veil noticeable.
Conical cap becoming flattened, looks like some sort of velvety finish on the cap?
Maybe a bolbitius?
Any help everyone?
Cheers
Ken

hi Ken

you're collecting material!!!

it's a good job I'm sitting down

cut it in half lengthways and dry it and send me half if you wish - I have my suspicions, but will stay schtum for the time being . . .

cheers

Chris

[Ditiola]

Ken
What colour are the spores?

Peter

[diggleken]

Ha ha Chris, I amaze myself sometimes, but glad you appreciate it!!
Some more pics below - and, great Chris, thanks a lot, will crash it over when its become a bit drier later on today.
Peter - , I forgot to do a spore colour check, but have now, cheers, and they are sort of rusty brown.
I initially thought a Bolbitius, but that has lead me on to what appears to be (I know, I know) a perfect fit for Conocybe Pubescens - all the pointers in Jordan are there quite clearly including stem darker at basewith fibrils, fragility, colouration, conical cap etc etc
But it is described as infrequent, so I always mistrust an ID more when not a frequently seen fungus......!
Over to you guys.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by diggleken

. . . . what appears to be (I know, I know) a perfect fit for Conocybe Pubescens - all the pointers in Jordan are there . . .

Ah Ken . . . . you could well be right, there's nothing I can see that would rule out Conocybe pubescens, but note what Mr Jordan himself says on page 130 - and in fact if you include varieties, there are around 90 Conocybe taxa listed as British and he has 7 . . .

cheers

Chris

[diggleken]

Hi Chris,
like I said, I know, I know....................he he !
Sent this aft, 2nd class, should be with you soon, look forward to it!
Cheers
Ken

[Ditiola]

Hi Ken
It is most likely a Conocybe although most are usually striate at the cap margin. It will certainly need keying out. The nearest photo I can find is Conocybe aurea (try searching Google Images for this one) although there is only one British record for this species so it is unlikly, but an amazing find if it is.

Peter

[mollisia]

Hello Peter,

I don't believe it is Conocybe aurea, which is much brighter in colour.
That there is only one british record is due to the fact that only in recent times this taxon is seen as independent species (by some), and it was formerly included in Conocybe tenera as variety or forma.

best regards,
Andreas

[Ditiola]

Thanks Andreas
I have always struggled with Conocybe, having often spent hours with BFF Vol 3 and not getting very far. I think will continue to leave this genus (along with many other small brown spored agaric genera) to the more experienced mycologists for the time being.

Peter

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Ditiola

I think will continue to leave this genus (along with many other small brown spored agaric genera) to the more experienced mycologists for the time being.

Story of my mycological life