One for ID please

[Inachis io]

Cap measured 9.5cm, stem also 9.5cm; difficult to see on the photos but the stem was striped. Smelt of aniseed and was found under mixed deciduous.

Having trouble IDing this one, keep thinking I have it but there's always one specific that doesn't match.

[Boddie]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ad-titles.html

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi,

Not sure regarding the aniseed smell, but In the absence of microscopy, I'd be thinking something like Deer Shield - Pluteus cervinus .

Regards,
Mike.

[Inachis io]

Thanks Mike, maybe my nose was playing tricks on me that day, the aniseed thing has had me running around in circles.
I had it down to Pluteus cervinus and Tricholomopsis platyphylla, but your input and the obvious difference in stem size decides it. Thanks.

[watsthat]

I don`t think the gill attachment is right for Pluteus cervinus. What about substrate and spore print?

Cheers

Pete

[Inachis io]

Was growing on years and years of leaf mould as far as I could ascertain, however there were some mycelial strands clinging on to a chunk of dead wood, which is why I thought Tricholomopsis (Metacollybia) platyphylla.
No spore print I'm afraid, sorry.

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by Inachis io

Was growing on years and years of leaf mould as far as I could ascertain, however there were some mycelial strands clinging on to a chunk of dead wood, which is why I thought Tricholomopsis (Metacollybia) platyphylla.
No spore print I'm afraid, sorry.

Your photos include sufficient information to confirm this is Megacollybia platyphylla, as you suspected. The texture and colour of the cap surface can make you think of Pluteus cervinus (although if you compare both species side by side they are different), but Pluteus would have free gills, whereas the gills are attached to the stem in M. platyphylla.

Spore colour would be the clincher, but mature P. cervinus has gills that go brownish-pink, whereas M. platyphylla has gills that remain pale, because the spore print is white. There appears to be a hint of mycelial strands at the base of the stem in your third photo, and you found some close by. Just shows the importance of carefully observation, picking and collecting to make sure you get all the available clues.

Ken

[Inachis io]

Thanks Ken, I'm still concerned about the stem size though. Most ID references have the stem at no longer than 50mm, which puts mine into a whole different league if it is M. platyphylla!

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Inachis io

Was growing on years and years of leaf mould as far as I could ascertain, however there were some mycelial strands clinging on to a chunk of dead wood, which is why I thought Tricholomopsis (Metacollybia) platyphylla.
No spore print I'm afraid, sorry.

Hi Inachis,

Two minor points I am going to pick up on, you say in the opening post of the fungus being in "mixed deciduous" when quite clearly there are the cones and needles of Larch and Pine present besides the Holly, so mixed woodland would be more correct.

The other point are those mycelial cords - if you had mentioned that at the beginning ...

Neil.

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by Inachis io

Most ID references have the stem at no longer than 50mm, which puts mine into a whole different league if it is M. platyphylla!

Stem length is rarely diagnostic but may be useful as a guide. By most ID references, I guess you mean Roger Phillips and one or two others?

Here are some stem dimensions from other references:

Marcel Bon: 8cm x 1cm
Buckzacki: 4-8cm
Collins complete: To 15cm long
Courtecuisse and Duhem: 13cm x 3cm
Dahncke: 7-9cm
Flora Agaricina Neerlandica 4: 50-130mm x 9-16mm
Funga Nordica: 50-140mm x 8-25mm
Fungi of Switzerland: 60-150mm x 15-25mm
Krieglsteiner: To 15cm x 2cm

Many authors of popular guides, such as Roger Phillips, rely on other sources for their dimensions. They may not always represent the full variability.

Ken