Monday, October 25, 2010

Mushroom Identification



Mushroom of the inky cap family (coprinaceae) found growing in chip mulch during October in Southern California climate on the first clear day of five. The weather had been moist with light rainfall.
The stalk is lined, but mostly smooth, white in color, 3 inches tall, and ringless.
Cap was most likely bell shaped at the peak of its maturation. In these photos the top of the mushroom has some debris, making it appear more knobbed. It is brownish in color, and looks like it has flat scales or patches. It may also appear mottled because it is late in its life cycle.
The gills appear crowded and black,descending into the stalk, and staining the fingers black when handling.
The spores are also black.
My three best guesses, in order of highest likely hood are:
-a bell capped panalaeolus/ Panaeolus campanulatus
-a common lawnmower mushroom/  Psathyrella foenisecii (these are edible)
-an orange mat coprinus/ Coprinus radians (ruled out for having no orange fuzz at base of stalk)

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