Psathyrella candolleana

Pileus
Cap 1.5-5.5 cm broad, broadly conic, then convex in age; margin wavy, hung with veil fragments when young; surface smooth, moist, occasionally cracked in dry weather, the disc light-brown to honey-brown, hygrophanous, fading to pale-buff; flesh thin, fragile, dingy-brown; odor and taste mild.

Lamellae
Gills adnate to seceding, narrow, close, pale grey-brown becoming medium-brown in age.

Stipe
Stipe 3-7 cm tall, 0.3-0.5 cm thick, equal, sometimes twisted, hollow, fragile; surface white, satiny; veil evanescent, leaving fragments on immature caps.

Spores
Spores 7-9 x 3.5-5 µm, elliptical, smooth; spore print dark brown.

Habitat
Scattered to gregarious along trails, in gardens or in grassy areas; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

Edibility
Described as edible, but unsubstantial. Psathyrellas are poorly known in our area, thus none are recommended for the table.

Comments
Specimens of Psathyrella candolleana appears to vary considerably in color and robustness and it is possible if not likely that the species name is being applied to several closely related taxa. In general, Psathyrella candolleana is recognized by a smooth, yellowish-brown, hygrophanous cap which fades to pale buff, with an appendiculate margin when young and a white, shiny, fragile stipe.