Help with ID for newbie? Please

Kazzy D · #1 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 05:28 PM

Hi, was wondering if anyone can help me. I'm new to this forum and also new to fungi. Got interested after going on a fungi foray organised at a local nature reserve and I'm keen to learn more. Having no trouble finding lots of fungi, but the identification is proving more problematic. Have managed (surprisingly) to ID some of my finds from what I learned on the foray and from trawling through reference books, but am slowly going nuts trying to figure out others. Can anyone please ID the following fungus I found today in local woodland, or at least help me with the genus so I can do further research myself? Any help will be appreciated

The fungus is quite large, measuring 13cm across and about the same in height. Found by fallen log but was not growing on it. Surrounded mainly by oak trees. Was growing alone. The top of the cap is very smooth/shimmery and has a "satin finish" although this doesnt show well in the pics. Top of cap could easily be peeled back revealling white flesh. No bruising or discolouration on doing so. No strong smell, just pleasant mild mushroom smell.

Many thanks...Kazzy

cybershot · #2 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazzy D

Hi, was wondering if anyone can help me. I'm new to this forum and also new to fungi. Got interested after going on a fungi foray organised at a local nature reserve and I'm keen to learn more. Having no trouble finding lots of fungi, but the identification is proving more problematic. Have managed (surprisingly) to ID some of my finds from what I learned on the foray and from trawling through reference books, but am slowly going nuts trying to figure out others. Can anyone please ID the following fungus I found today in local woodland, or at least help me with the genus so I can do further research myself? Any help will be appreciated

The fungus is quite large, measuring 13cm across and about the same in height. Found by fallen log but was not growing on it. Surrounded mainly by oak trees. Was growing alone. The top of the cap is very smooth/shimmery and has a "satin finish" although this doesnt show well in the pics. Top of cap could easily be peeled back revealling white flesh. No bruising or discolouration on doing so. No strong smell, just pleasant mild mushroom smell.

Many thanks...Kazzy

Have you tried Clitocybe nebularis - Clouded Funnel, in your references yet Kazzy?

David

end-of-pain · #3 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 06:44 PM

Hi kazzy D, genus lepista, from the picture i would say lepista saeva, try to cross-refference with your books. Try to get spores print, should be white-pink. Another candidate could be l. irina.

flaxton · #4 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 06:45 PM

With a purple tinge to the photos on my monitor and the emarginate gills I would suggest Lepista nuda.

Mal

wizzo · #5 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 06:46 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum Kazzy!

fairplay · #6 (**permalink**) 26-11-2009, 08:23 PM

Hi Kazzy,

A big welcome to you, my first impression was Wood Blewitt - Lepista nuda, as for L.sordida or even L.irina, the specimen here, seems too big for either, but fungi don't always behave.

Neil.

Kazzy D · #7 (**permalink**) 29-11-2009, 11:47 AM

Thanks everyone for the help and also the warm welcome - much appreciated. After reading all your comments and doing further research, I would say that it most resembles Lepista Irena, although it does seem to have some charateristics of Clitocybe. David, I would say not Nebulans due to no white bloom and colour of gills is wrong. If it is clitocybe then by the description given in "Rogers Mushrooms" on line reference, I would say more like Clitocybe Gibba due to the pale pinkish to ochre silky smooth cap. The cap on my specimen is definitely VERY smooth and silky. Like someone has painted it with a satin paint, it was one of the first things I noticed.I have been unsuccessful in obtaining a spore print for some reason, which I have found very irritating! This would have been a great help. Not to worry - maybe with a bit of luck I will be able to find another one soon!

Kazzy

fairplay · #8 (**permalink**) 30-11-2009, 09:37 AM

Hi again Kassy,

You have said why you chose L.irena and why you ruled out 2 Clitocybe spp. but do not say why you ruled out the most obvious contender L.nuda or the sometimes similar L.sordida.
Size alone points to this as being a faded L.nuda, but with sufficient lilac tints remaining to rule out sordida or irena.

Neil.