Spiral stem specimen

[Bill S]

Hi all

Another request for help with ID please. I spotted this specimen at the edge of mixed woodland, in amongst clumps of heather. Size was est. 60-80mm tall and 40-60mm across the base of the cap. What caught my eye for a photo was the colours in the cap and stem and the way the stem appears to be twisted. It left me wondering if it is just the way this individual had grown or whether this species always grow this way and it is a characteristic of the species, or more interestingly whole genera.



I can't look at the photo without thinking of The Beatles (or The Ruttles for those in the know). The cap shape makes me think of their mop tops.

Thanks in advance all for any help with this one.

Bill - of no fixed hairstyle - S

[flaxton]

This looks a bit like Collybia butyracea. Never come across a twisted stem like that though.

Mal

[Bill S]

Thanks Mal, that could fit with the suggestion made in this thread which was a photo I took a week earlier in the same vicinity.

Baby Bay Bolete

Bill

[fairplay]

The vast majority of Collybia butyracea I come across start off this dark colour when young, but I agree with you Mal, I don't think I've come across such a twisted stem before.

Neil.

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by fairplay

I don't think I've come across such a twisted stem before.

Neil.

... this is probably an extreme example but spirally twisted stems are reasonably common in Collybia butyracea.

Ken