#conical brittlestem

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Entry 97: Conical Brittlestem

Parasola conopilea

Drawn Nov 18, 2023.

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Conical Brittlestem - Parasola conopilus

This species has been moved recently into the genus Parasola from the genus Psathyrella, although in many respects it is rather different from other coprinoid little brown mushrooms that have been placed in that genus.

Found on wood debris in grassland of Europe and North America, Parasola conopilus (Psathyrellaceae) has conical or sometimes bell-shaped cap, shiny red-brown when moist. The stem is long, straight and vertical, white and ringless.

References: [1] - [2]

Photo credit: ©Natalya Zak | Locality: Grellingen, Canton of Basel-Country, Switzerland (2010)

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Conical Brittlestem - Parasola conopilus

Parasola conopilus (Psathyrellaceae) is a species of little brown mushrooms that once the caps have dried lose their lustre and become matt and very much paler, turning almost white in very dry conditions.

The Conical Brittlestems, as are these mushrooms commonly recognized, can be found in Britain, Europe and North America.

This species has been moved recently into the genus Parasola from the genus Psathyrella. 

This species is generally regarded as inedible, and its small size and thin flesh mean that there is little temptation to try eating this insubstantial mushroom. Some sources suggest that these mushrooms may contain psychoactive substances, in which case they should be treated as being toxic and potentially dangerous.

Reference: [1]

Photo credit: ©Alex Alonso

Locality: unknown.