Parasola plicatilis.
The Pleated Inkcap.
Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Psathyrellaceae.
These small mushrooms grow on soil, are commonly seen on lawns etc. and 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, become convex then flat, sometimes with the edge
rolled 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, up to 75 or 100 mm high, 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.
