The Pleated Inkcap.
Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Psathyrellaceae.
They are small mushrooms growing on soil and commonly seen on lawns etc.
They only last a few hours.
Young caps are ovate to almost cylindrical with the margin rolled in.
They are reddish-brown or yellowish-brown.
As they grow the caps expand to 25 – 30 mm and become convex then flat.
Sometimes the edge rolls upwards and the colour changes to cream then greyish.
The caps are pleated except for the central area which is a smooth, brownish disc.
There are no veil remnants on the cap.
The caps do not liquefy, they just shrivel up.
The gills are attached to a collar around the stem.
Initially white or pinkish they darken to black.
The centrallly placed stem is up to 75 or 100 mm high.
It sometimes has a slightly swollen base when young.
It is very fragile being only about 3 mm thick.
The smooth surface is whitish with a pale brownish base.
The spore print is black.
J F.
