Possible Mycena

[Camilo]

I hope that I have keyed this correctly to Mycena. But then I have found it difficult to match it to a species. I would welcome any clues. Found on 5 January on a very rotten log, I can only say it wasn't a conifer.

[Brisfung]

Certainly looks like a Mycena.....and most likely to be galericulata, a common species throughout the year on a variety of broad leaved tree logs. Mycenas can be very difficult to identify, especially when overall greyish in colour, wherein a microscope is useful to look at cheilocystidia and cap cystidia to confirm. At a push, this specimen may also be abramsii; again a microscope would confirm. Some authors suggest holding the cap up to the light, looking into the gill surface, and noting whether cross (transverse) veins can be seen between the gills; often this will turn out to be galericulata, but again other similar species can show this feature.
Mycenas can be identified in the field, roughly, when colours are distinct (orange, yellow, lilac etc), the stems bleeds a white or orange milk when broken, the smell is distinct (mealy-fruity, bleach, radishy etc) or when there is a separable skin on the cap, stem or gill edge; evenso, a microscope is still required to back up any field identification.
But, yes, it is a Mycena!
Hope that helps
Justin

[Camilo]

Thanks Justin, it certainly does help. A lot.

I've noted the frustration with Mycena species identification on other (previous) threads. So I'm content to tentatively go for M. galericulata.

Best wishes.