Psathyrella hydrophila

Scientific name:  Psathyrella hydrophila (Bull.) Maire
Derivation of name: Psathyr- means "crumbly" and
ella is a diminutive to distinguish the genus from
Psathrya. Hydr- means "water" and phil- means"loving"
or "fond of."
Synonyms: Agaricus hydrophilus Bull.
Common name(s):  Clustered Psathyrella.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Agaricales
Family:   Psathyrellaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; in dense cespitose
clusters on decaying deciduous stumps and logs, at the base of
trees or stumps, or on buried wood. 
Dimensions:  Caps 2.5-5 cm wide; stipes 2.5-15 cm long and
2-5 mm thick.  
Cap:  Moist; dark brownish at first, fading to honey-brown or
tan.
Gills: Attached; buff, becoming brown to purple-brown.
Spore print: Purple-brown.
Stipe: Whitish.
Veil: Delicate, not leaving a ring.
Edibility: Unknown.
Comments: Examine Bessette to note differences between this
species and similar P. septentrionalis.

Figure 1. Dense cespitose fruiting of Clustered Psathyrella.
Photo © Steve Nelsen.

Figure 2. Stalks of Psathyrella hydrophila are hollow and
fragile. Photo © Steve Nelsen.