Unidentified fungus for ID please

hiccsuewatts · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 10:46 AM

Found in deciduous woods near Petworth, I'm unable to identify anything with a black stem - perhaps an older specimen dying off? As I'm with a camera club, I really need to accurately identify any images I submit, so help much appreciated, thank you.

FungiJohn · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 10:58 AM

Hi hiccsuewatts and a warm welcome to WAB

Did the stem feel velvety?

Looks like the Velvet Shank - Flammulina velutipes

I should point out though that you cannot always identify a fungus from an image alone. See this to help further:

Help us to help you identify fungi

John

fairplay · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 05:20 PM

Is that connecting veins I can see between the gills - a Mycena perhaps ?

Neil.

flaxton · #4 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 08:44 AM

Collybia marasmioides (erythropus) can have a very dark stem and has anastomose gills.

Mal

hiccsuewatts · #5 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 09:25 AM

Thank you very much for your responses. This is very much a learning curve for me - I obviously need to take more note at the time of taking a photograph, particularly with regard to texture, size etc. This is a great forum and I shall definitely be using it again - next time I hope to give you more information.
thank you again, hiccsuewatts

hiccsuewatts · #6 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 09:52 AM

Attached are 2 more of the same fungi, if this helps with identification. There were a couple of similar shapes nearby, growing in moss on tree trunk. I will pay more attention next time! Thank you all again for your help.

fairplay · #7 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 11:26 AM

Maybe one Mycena could be distorted, but if others are like this nearby, then I guess Mal is right with Collybia, but were all the stems black, with none being a deep burgundy perhaps ?

Neil.

ashgale · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:30 PM

did you notice if it had any particular odour to it ?

if it had an onion/garlic smell, then a possibility is Marismius alliaceus (garlic parachute)

over to the experts

ashgale.

hiccsuewatts · #9 (**permalink**) 15-10-2011, 07:23 AM

Once again, thank you for the suggestions, which I will follow up. I'll certainly be using this venue again - it's brilliant - and recommending it to my fellow photographers, I was part of a small group on the day this was taken and our interest 'til now has been more in the photography than in the identification!
See you next time!