Psathyrella piluliformis (Bull.) P.D. Orton
Notes R. bot. Gdn Edinb. 29: 116. 1969.

Common Name: none

Synonyms: Psathyrella hydrophila (Bull.) Maire; Hypholoma hydrophilum (Bull.) Quél.

• Pileus

  Cap 2-4.5 cm broad, convex, broadly convex at maturity; surface smooth, moist, hygrophanous, chestnut-brown to rusty-brown, fading to yellow-brown to tan, the margin usually darker and appendiculate with veil fragments, the latter white, then dark-brown from maturing spores; flesh pallid, thin, fragile.

• Lamellae

  Gills adnate, crowded, narrow, light-brown becoming dark-brown in age.

• Stipe

  Stipe 2-7 cm tall, 0.3-0.7 cm thick, hollow, fragile, equal or the base slightly enlarged; surface white, smooth; veil white, fibrillose, soon deciduous, remnants left on the cap margin or forming a faint superior annular zone.

• Spores

  Spores 4.5-6 x 3-3.5 microns, elliptical, smooth; spore print dark brown.

• Habitat

  Grouped or clustered, usually at the base of hardwood stumps; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Questionable. Described as edible in some texts but not substantial enough to be of culinary value. There is also the possibility of confusing this mushroom with the potentially deadly Galerina autumnalis (see below).

• Comments

  The genus Psathyrella is a large group, many of which are poorly known in California. Psathyrella piluliformis is one of the few species that is relatively easy to recognize. It is distinguished by a clustered fruiting habit, usually at the base of hardwood stumps, a hygrophanous brown cap with appendiculate veil fragments that in age become colored with maturing spores, and a white, fragile stipe. Galerina autumnalis, a mushroom containing deadly amatoxins, is similar in color and size, but has a viscid/sticky cap when moist, the cap margin is typically striate, not appendiculate, and the spores are rusty-brown rather than dark brown.

• References

  Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
  Kits van Wavern, E. (1982). Notes on the genus Psathyrella-VIII. Description of and key to the European species of the section Hydrophilae. Persoonia 11(4): 473-508.
  Kits van Wavern, E. (1985). The Dutch, French, and British Species of Psathyrella. Rijksherbarium: Leiden, Netherlands. 300 p.
  Parker, C.S. (1933). A Taxonomic Study of the Genus Hypholoma in North America. Mycologia 25(3): 160-212.
  Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p.
  Smith, A.H. (1972). The North American Species of Psathyrella (Mem. NY. Bot. Gard.: 24). New York Botanical Garden: Bronx, NY. 521  p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  Main Photo
  • Michael Wood: Psathyrella piluliformis (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Psathyrella piluliformis (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Psathyrella piluliformis (CP)
  • Brother Alfred Brousseau: Psathyrella piluliformis (CP) — Shows typical clustered growth habit, but removed from its usual habitat at the base of hardwood stumps.
  • Mushroom Observer: Psathyrella piluliformis (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 364 (D & P) [as Psathyrella hydrophila]
  • Jordan: p. 243 (D & CP)) [as Psathyrella hydrophila]
  • Lincoff: p. 607 (D), plate 93 (CP)) [as Psathyrella hydrophila]
  • Miller: sp. 196 (D & CP)) [as Psathyrella hydrophila]
  • Phillips: p. 201 (D & CP)) [as Psathyrella hydrophila]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)