Psathyrella? Advice please

[watsthat]

These were growing amongst newly emerged cereal crops on the Yorkshire Wolds. There were quite a few on the chalky substrate. I think its` a Psathyrella sp. but the gills seemed odd, in as much as they were the same dirty white colour on all the specimens that I looked at? I expected a cross section from white to dark brown or black. Can anyone help?

Pete

[fairplay]

Growing clustered from the soil brings to mind P.multipedata, but these have a white edge to the gills, whereas yours are dark edged.

There is a possibility these are sterile, but with something happening, ie. that dark edge, then I think these are fertile.

Some species of Psathyrella do have gills which stay pale longer than other species, but I am a wimp when it comes to this genus, so cannot tell you much more.

Neil.

[watsthat]

Thanks Neil

I could see the writing on the wall by the lack of replies, i.e. difficult.

I think these were starting to sporulate, they were quite black at the tops of the gills and the dark edge to the gills is spore deposit. According to Michael Jordan P.marcescibilis favours a calcareous substrate but is not described as tufted.

Thanks for being brave enough to comment. Unless there is someone out there who is familiar with the fungus and the habitat, no more progress is possible without microscopy.

Cheers

Pete