Enteloma sp?

forager2 · #1 (**permalink**) 27-10-2011, 01:48 PM

I keep finding Entelomas in unimproved grassland, but I am struggling to identify them. Also don't have a microscope at present. I've looked at keys, books etc and still struggling. Any suggestions on how to identify them would be appreciated.

First two photos are in the field, both have dry caps. The larger one (sorry out of focus) is about 5cm across the cap. No notable smell. It had a blueish cap and possibly a hint of blue in the stem. I think they are the same one in different stages. The small one had white gills which turned pink by the time I got them home. Both had a pink spore print.

This third photo shows the underside, both had a white base to the stem with brown striations above. They had changed colour by the time I got them home, there was no sign of blue left.

Any hints or suggestions where to take them from here would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jane

p.s. It has been an excellent year for waxcaps, I have never seen so many.

Ditiola · #2 (**permalink**) 27-10-2011, 02:22 PM

Hi

I do not think Entoloma are an easy group and I would not attempt to identify many without a microscope.

Having recently spoken to someone who has a much greater knowledge than me I was informed that it is important to record as many details in the field as possible especially colour as the colours often fade after collection especially the blue colours and some of the differences in species may depend to some extent on very subtle differences in shades of these colours. often along with very small differences in spore size etc.

Peter

Chris Yeates · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2011, 09:40 PM

I would strongly suspect Entoloma porphyrophaeum or something very close - Melanie may well have some pertinent comments

Chris

SheffieldLass · #4 (**permalink**) 28-10-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I would strongly suspect Entoloma porphyrophaeum or something very close - Melanie may well have some pertinent comments

Chris

Exactly my thoughts too.

Melanie

forager2 · #5 (**permalink**) 29-10-2011, 08:06 AM

Many thanks everyone, that was also the one I suspected...but looks like the day I get a microscope is getting nearer! I presume you need x1000, measurement graticule and a camera attachement for the computer is desirable. Also I suspect as good a microscope as you can afford. Can you suggest where to look for a secondhand one in the first instance?

Jane