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Horsehair fungus
Gymnopus androsaceus

Here’s another little mushroom that I need to find again and get some photos of it’s gills. In the meantime, I’m pretty sure this is Horsehair fungus. And it’s so cute!!

This is also an example of a common name that makes sense to me – clearly the stem is reminiscent of horsehair.

Alternate Names: Horsehair Parachute
Size: Cap is 3-8 mm broad, stem 2-7 cm long, 1mm thick.
Family: Omphalotaceae
Habitat: Grows on the litter of conifers.
Identification: This mushroom has a long, dark and wiry stem, slightly pink fills, and a pinkish-brown widely pleated cap. The gills are attached to the stem, and not to a "collar" which helps to identify this particular species.

All text and photos copyright © 2022 Middle Way Nature Reserve, unless noted.
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