small green/brown fungus for id please

[hillrover]

Another one that I thought would be easy. It looked so distinctive. I've tried to key it out using Jordan's encyclopaedia. Nothing seemed to fit but some kind of Galerina sp seemed the most likely. It's currently in my records as "small green thing."
As ever all help gratefully received.

Christine





Location: Wensleydale. In short grass/moss next to a clump of wild sage and with Rock Rose close by.
H = 3cm. D = 1.5
cap:Convex. Green going into light brown. Slight umbo. Sticky rather than waxy.
Stipe: off white going into light green at the top. Fibrous
Gills: Widely spaced. Some short. Light grey/white when looked at from bottom. Look light brown when viewed side on.
Flesh: Greenish going into light brown at umbo
Spore print: Cocoa brown.
Spores: Oval to slightly egg shaped. (in my small 'scope)

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Christine,

To me, going by the photographs and your description, this has all the hallmarks of a young Stropharia cearulea, or possibly Stropharia aeruginosa.

Regards,
Mike.

[hillrover]

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike. That does look a likely prospect.

Christine

[Ditiola]

Hi Christine

I would agree with Mike

It's great to get some useful information with the photograph I wish more folk would do the same.

I usually call the thin stemmed blue Stropharia's in grass S.caerulea (or S.cyanea as it is now called) but it is not easy to separate, without very careful microscopical study. There is also S.pseudocyanea as well just to make it more difficult)

Peter

[hillrover]

Thanks Peter. Much appreciated.

Christine

[Chris Yeates]

hi Christine

I would strongly suspect this to be Stropharia pseudocyanea; I think you can rule out S. aeruginosa, but that does leave S. caerulea

if more appear, use your "little 'scope" to examine a length of gill edge - the cystidia along that edge are very different for the two species, and are diagnostic

see: Stains in Microscopy

and particularly: Stropharia species with blue-green colouration

note also Andreas's comment about S. pseudocyanea smelling of pepper . . . .

best wishes

Chris

[hillrover]

Thanks very much Chris.
I have decided to make a study of this rock rose field so I will be going back regularly and I will keep my eyes open for another one and look at the gill edge.
It seems to be a very interesting field with a great mix of habitats because of the rock rose. I will keep records and photographs as best I can and let you know the results.

Christine

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by hillrover

Thanks very much Chris.
I have decided to make a study of this rock rose field so I will be going back regularly and I will keep my eyes open for another one and look at the gill edge.
It seems to be a very interesting field with a great mix of habitats because of the rock rose. I will keep records and photographs as best I can and let you know the results.

Christine

do - please, Christine

there has been quite a lot of work done on this fascinating habitat - I'll try and get some of the published stuff to you - it might help

best

Chris

[hillrover]

Thanks very much, Chris. That would be great.

Christine