Two grassland fungi for id please

[Johnny81]

Taken 08/11/2011, horse grazed meadow in Northampton.
1. A Hygrocybe? White spore print, cap 5cm across, earthy smell.

2. Mycena. Same habitat as 1, white spore print, cap 1.5cm approx, earthy smell again.

Many thanks

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Johnny81

Taken 08/11/2011, horse grazed meadow in Northampton.

2. Mycena. Same habitat as 1, white spore print, cap 1.5cm approx, earthy smell again.

Many thanks

these are not straightforward and you do really need to get them under the microscope, there has been a lot of confusion over the names used by different mycologists in the past; I spent quite a while having a close look at one over the weekend which, following Maas Geesteranus's monograph was what I expected it to be, Mycena aetites

I might post some pictures up in due course; your images are rather over-exposed but it is probably the same thing - there's no way one can be certain though from just macro-shots!

cheers

Chris

[Johnny81]

Thanks Chris, yes I understand they really do need microscope work and they are difficult, but I just don't own a scope and wouldn't really know where to start, plus its just a time of year interest (although fungi are an interesting group), always worth a punt on here.

There might be some slight over-exposer but they were rather pale and I think I was trying to compensate for a dreadfully dull day and bad photoshopping

[Johnny81]

Here is the original if it helps

[flaxton]

John
The photo of the gills seems to show a darker edge to them. Did you notice this? If so M olivaceomarginata is a probability in that sort of location.

Mal

[Johnny81]

Originally Posted by flaxton

John
The photo of the gills seems to show a darker edge to them. Did you notice this? If so M olivaceomarginata is a probability in that sort of location.

Mal

I still have the cap and looking closer they just look whitish/cream, but this may have faded over a couple of days?

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by Johnny81

I still have the cap and looking closer they just look whitish/cream, but this may have faded over a couple of days?

If there is no colour we revert to Chris' adage "microscope needed"

Mal

[Johnny81]

Originally Posted by flaxton

If there is no colour we revert to Chris' adage "microscope needed"

Mal

Indeed, just have to accept it Maybe something I might get into a little later on, still a fascinating study - despite what I said I'm getting hooked on fungi at the moment.

Sorry to go on but any clues on 1?

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by Johnny81

Taken 08/11/2011, horse grazed meadow in Northampton.
1. A Hygrocybe? White spore print, cap 5cm across, earthy smell.

With decurrent gills and white spore print, this is a Clitocybe species. It is in the group with a hygrophanous cap (which would turn a paler colour on drying) and without a pruina (frosted appearance) on the surface. The earthy smell would be classed as not distinctive (e.g. compared with species that smell of aniseed, tomato leaves or farinaceous i.e. meally). Without spore size, it is difficult to be definitive, but I think this is probably the very common Clitocybe metachroa, which is more usually found in woodland, but can be found in grassland.

Ken

[Johnny81]

Cheers Ken! Not sure why I originally suggested a waxcap for number 1... I found a pink waxcap today in beech litter and can see this group is nothing like my picture..