Psathyrella rugocephala

Scientific name:  Psathyrella rugocephala (G. F. Atk.)
A. H. Smith
Derivation of namePsathyr- means "crumbly" and
ella is a diminutive to distinguish the genus from
PsathryaRug- means "wrinkle" and cephal- means "head."
Rugocephala aptly describes the cap of this species.
SynonymsHypholoma rugocephalum G. F. Atk.  
Common name(s):  Corrugated-cap Psathyrella.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Agaricales
Family:   Psathyrellaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; scattered or in
groups on and around decaying deciduous wood; July through
September.  
Dimensions:  Caps 5-10 cm wide; stipes 7.5-12.5 cm long and
0.5-1 cm thick.   
Cap: Brownish to rusty brown, fading to tannish; surface
coarsely radially wrinkled.  
Gills: Attached; whitish, becoming purplish-brown to black at
maturity.
Spore print: Purple-brown.
Stipe: Whitish, darkening to brownish below with white
mycelium at the base.
Veil: Fibrillose-membranous, not leaving a ring.
Edibility: Edible but not recommended due to difficulties in
identification.
Comments: Macroscopically, Psathyrella delineata (Peck)
A. H. Smith is nearly identical to Psathyrella rugocephala.
The two species can only be reliably separated on spore size
and spore morphology.

More information at MushroomExpert.com: 


Figure 1. Several specimens of Psathyrella rugocephala growing
on woody debris. Photo © Gary Emberger.

    
Figure 2. The browish, wrinkled cap is an important first
step in identifying Psathyrella rugocephala.
Photo© John Plischke III.


Figure 3. The cap surface of Psathyrella rugocephala is
described as corrugated and wrinkled and may even be somewhat
pitted. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 4. The dark cap color of young speciemns fades to a a
tannish color as in the specimen on the left.
Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 5. There is usually abundant white mycelium at the base of
the stipe. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 6. The partial veil may leave a ring zone on the upper
stalk and the cap margin may bear remnants of the veil.
Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 7. Psathyrella delineata strongly resembles
P. rugocephala. Reliable separation of the two species
requires examination of spore size and morphology.
Photo © William Roody.

 

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