Clitocybe deceptiva

Pileus
Cap 1.2-5 cm broad, convex expanding to nearly plane, the disc sometimes slightly to moderately depressed; margin at first incurved, finely striate when moist; surface smooth, hygrophanous, pale tan-brown to grey-brown, fading to pale-buff at maturity, the disk remaining slightly darker; flesh thin, colored like the cap, unchanging; odor of anise; taste mild.

Lamellae
Gills adnate to sometimes subdecurrent in age, moderately broad, close, buff-brown at first, milky-white to cream at maturity.

Stipe
Stipe 1.5-4.0 cm, 3-5 mm thick, stuffed becoming hollow, round, occasionally flattened; more or less equal to slightly enlarged at the base, the latter with cottony mycelium; surface pallid, appressed fibrillose over a pale-buff or pallid background; cortex flesh pale-buff, unchanging; veil absent.

Spores
Spores 6-7.5 x 3.5-4 µm, elliptical, smooth, nonamyloid; spore print cream pinkish-buff.

Habitat
Solitary, scattered or in arcs in conifer duff, especially Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata); fruiting from mid to late winter.

Edibility
Edible and good, but unsubstantial.

Comments
The distinguishing feature of this small, cream-buff mushroom is an unmistakable anise odor. There are several closely related species. Most likely to be encountered is Clitocybe fragrans, a paler mushroom, nearly white, with a "sweet", not anise odor.