About this fungus
Earthy Powdercap is a fungus in the Squamanitaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A small ochre-yellow to cinnamon-brown mushroom with a fine grainy coating across the cap and lower stem, often appearing through moss in acid grassland or woodland.
What to check
Look for a finely granular cap, attached crowded gills that begin white and become cream, and a small fragile ring. The stem is smoother and paler above the ring but grainy or scaly below it. Confirm a white to pale cream spore print and growth among moss, grass or litter.
Variation
Cap colour varies widely from pale ochre-yellow through orange-brown to reddish brown. Some caps develop radial wrinkles or a darker low boss. The ring may remain collar-like or break into small fragments, especially after rain.
Lookalikes
Cystoderma jasonis is similar and can require microscopy, while Cystodermella cinnabarina is usually brighter red-orange and lacks amyloid spores. Small Lepiota species have free rather than attached gills and some are dangerously poisonous. Colour alone is not enough for identification.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic among moss, grass, bracken and needle litter in acid grassland, heath, bog edges, conifer woodland and woodland edges. It is widespread across cooler parts of Europe and North America and can form arcs or fairy rings.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
H. Krisp / CC BY 3.0
Luridiformis / CC BY 3.0
Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0