is this Marasmius oreades?

[Whassisinmygrass]

I have found a circle of fungus on my lawn and having done a bit of research I think it may be Marasmius oreades.

The grass is much darker before the fungus appears. When it does appear it appears in a circle about 4 to 5 feet accross under a tree in my lawn. There are lots of spent leaves and buds from the tree that the fungus grows through. They grow in quite compact bunches, with the individual bunches combining to form the larger circle. They are waxy/slimey to touch.

I've heard that Marasmius oreades can be confused with Clitocybes. I'm happy to let the fungus grow if it is the Marasmius oreades!

[Ditiola]

Hi
It looks very much like Marasmius oreades, but it is always difficult to be sure of identification from a photograph. Most but not all Clitocybes have decurent gills.

Apparently there is a Marasmius that is almost identical to Marasmius oreades that is considered poisonous. It is M.collinus and it has been recorded in England. This is a good example of why WAB have the policy on never commenting on which species are edible.

Peter

[Chris Yeates]

Marasmius oreades for me - none of the possible Clitocybe confusion species would have as widely spaced gills as on your fungus

but as Peter says a gill shot would have helped

cheers

Chris

[Whassisinmygrass]

Thanks for your replies.

I'll try and get photographs of the gills.