Small reddish fungus for ID + probably silly ??

[solus]

OK, let's get the probably silly question over with first. Does Butter Cap Collybia butyracea (or whatever its current name is) ever grow in grass under dense bracken? The only habitat references I can find are to deciduous and coniferous woodland. We were walking yesterday on the Sugar Loaf mountain near Abergavenny in south Wales and there were several specimens of what seemed to be this species - hygrophanous, drying flattish, ivory-white/pale brown with a darker brown umbo, crowded white adnexed gills. They were on the lower slopes, not far above the tree line but nowhere near any trees. The area is grazed by sheep and the bracken was being cut and shredded by a tractor and attached equipment, presumably in attempt to control it. Or if not, what looks similar that would grow in such a place?

Second, I am stuck on this small reddish fungus which appeared to be the only one of its kind around. I've id'd the Puffball as Lycoperdon nigrescens and the first photo shows both in situ. Apologies to Chris as this was the only one, I didn't 'collect' it and I don't recall any particular smell (I don't actually remember whether I even sniffed at it to be honest) so I don't hold out much hope!



There seems to be some brown spots on the gills and I was wondering about a Gymnopilus sp. but... Again, much the same habitat as before, sheep-grazed grass amongst dense bracken.

Thanks!

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by solus

OK, let's get the probably silly question over with first. Does Butter Cap Collybia butyracea (or whatever its current name is) ever grow in grass under dense bracken? The only habitat references I can find are to deciduous and coniferous woodland. We were walking yesterday on the Sugar Loaf mountain near Abergavenny in south Wales and there were several specimens of what seemed to be this species - hygrophanous, drying flattish, ivory-white/pale brown with a darker brown umbo, crowded white adnexed gills. They were on the lower slopes, not far above the tree line but nowhere near any trees. The area is grazed by sheep and the bracken was being cut and shredded by a tractor and attached equipment, presumably in attempt to control it. Or if not, what looks similar that would grow in such a place?

Second, I am stuck on this small reddish fungus which appeared to be the only one of its kind around. I've id'd the Puffball as Lycoperdon nigrescens and the first photo shows both in situ. Apologies to Chris as this was the only one, I didn't 'collect' it and I don't recall any particular smell (I don't actually remember whether I even sniffed at it to be honest) so I don't hold out much hope!



There seems to be some brown spots on the gills and I was wondering about a Gymnopilus sp. but... Again, much the same habitat as before, sheep-grazed grass amongst dense bracken.

Thanks!

I find them in bracken, some distance from trees. They are saprophytic on leaf litter so bracken litter may well be suitable.

[SheffieldLass]

The small pinkish fungus looks like Rugomyces carnea (Calocybe carnea).

Melanie

[solus]

That's great! Thanks on both counts Melanie.

[Chris Yeates]

Lycoperdon nigrescens and Calocybe carnea agreed - no need to collect in this case

though where Gymnopilus comes in defeats me

cheers

Chris

[solus]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

though where Gymnopilus comes in defeats me

cheers

Chris

I am trying. (Yes, I know, very!) I just sort of wondered *English name alert* if the spots on the gills might be indicative of a Rustgill..... *hides* They don't quite all grow on wood, do they?

Thanks for your confirmation - at least I got the Puffball right!