Which Melanoleuca? (Plus another unidentified)

[Lancashire Lad]

Found today: -

No.1 - A Melanoleuca but not certain whether it is more likely to be M.polioleuca, or something like M.grammopodia.

Growing amongst woodchip under Fagus. Cap sizes to approx. 120mm across, stipe heights to approx. same.



No.2 - No idea on this one. growing directly from soil under Fagus.
Largest cap approx 25mm across, stipe approx 50mm tall.



Any confirmations / thoughts / suggestions much appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Found today: -

No.1 - A Melanoleuca but not certain whether it is more likely to be M.polioleuca, or something like M.grammopodia.

Growing amongst woodchip under Fagus. Cap sizes to approx. 120mm across, stipe heights to approx. same.



No.2 - No idea on this one. growing directly from soil under Fagus.
Largest cap approx 25mm across, stipe approx 50mm tall.



Any confirmations / thoughts / suggestions much appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

Hi Mike,

Not Melanolueca but Pluteus cervinus. The other looks Inocybe-like.

Andy

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

Hi Mike,

Not Melanolueca but Pluteus cervinus. The other looks Inocybe-like.

Andy

Thanks Andy,

I would never have thought that these were P.cervinus, of which I've seen numerous mature specimens but none with caps that looked like these. (and to my eyes the brown fibrils on the stipes had more of a Melanoleuca look than those I've seen on Pluteus ).

Is there anything that can be used "in the field" to make a definitive ID? - I'm going back to the same site later today and can take more photos or sections etc. etc.

Regards,
Mike.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Thanks Andy,

I would never have thought that these were P.cervinus, of which I've seen numerous mature specimens but none with caps that looked like these. (and to my eyes the brown fibrils on the stipes had more of a Melanoleuca look than those I've seen on Pluteus ).

Is there anything that can be used "in the field" to make a definitive ID? - I'm going back to the same site later today and can take more photos or sections etc. etc.

Regards,
Mike.

The free gills are the giveaway. Take a spore print and that will confirm. P. cervinus is a very variable species. When immature the gills are practically white which can give the appearance of being Melanoleuca. These in my mind are unmistakebly P. cervinus.

Andy

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Andy,

I brought one home with me, and am in the process of doing a spore print at the moment.

Cheers,
Mike.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

Hi Mike,

Not Melanolueca but Pluteus cervinus. Andy

That's what I thought too, but decided to bite my tongue, given my embarassing mistake on Mike's other fungus. There looks like a bit of pink dusting on the cap of the lower one, but it could be a trick of the light.

Melanie

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

The free gills are the giveaway. Take a spore print and that will confirm..... These in my mind are unmistakebly P. cervinus....

I hold my hand well and truly up.

I left the cap above a sheet of paper overnight, and today there is a very definite spore print.

In terms of colour, the nearest equivalent on the colour chart in Jordan is "Cinnamon" - but I appreciate that the colours there will have been subject to the vagueries of the printing processes.

However, whatever the specific colour is, it certainly isn't anything remotely close to white, which rules out Melanoleucas, and puts the Pluteus cervinus firmly in the frame.

Thanks again.
Regards,
Mike.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

I hold my hand well and truly up.

I left the cap above a sheet of paper overnight, and today there is a very definite spore print.

In terms of colour, the nearest equivalent on the colour chart in Jordan is "Cinnamon" - but I appreciate that the colours there will have been subject to the vagueries of the printing processes.

However, whatever the specific colour is, it certainly isn't anything remotely close to white, which rules out Melanoleucas, and puts the Pluteus cervinus firmly in the frame.

Thanks again.
Regards,
Mike.

OK Mike. Shame about the Psathyrella hey? It may well gave been a new record for Britain.

Best

Andy

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

OK Mike. Shame about the Psathyrella hey? It may well gave been a new record for Britain.

Best

Andy

That was a different fungus. It may still be an interesting Psathyrella. With luck another of those will appear for Mike (and us).

Melanie

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

That was a different fungus. It may still be an interesting Psathyrella. With luck another of those will appear for Mike (and us).

Melanie

Hi Melanie,

Yes I was aware that it was a different fungus. I hope that it does appear for you again.

andy