How to identify Conical Brittlestem

To correctly identify Conical Brittlestem (Psathyrella conopilea), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The cap is typically 1-4 cm in diameter, initially acutely conical to bell-shaped, often retaining a distinct pointed umbo even as it expands. The color varies from dark brown to reddish-brown when moist, fading to pale buff or grayish-brown when dry (hygrophanous). The margin is often striate when moist and may become slightly uplifted with age. The surface is smooth, sometimes finely pruinose when young.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills are adnate to adnexed, crowded, and narrow. They are initially pale grayish-brown, becoming dark purplish-brown to blackish with age due to the maturing spores. The gill edges are often paler and fimbriate.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is 4-12 cm long and 2-5 mm thick, slender, hollow, and very fragile. It is whitish to pale brownish, often pruinose at the apex, and smooth or finely striate. There is no ring or veil remnants.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is very thin, fragile, and whitish to pale brownish. It has no distinctive odor or taste.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is agaricoid, meaning it has a cap and stem with gills.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic, growing on disturbed ground, lawns, gardens, wood chips, decaying wood, and rich soil. Often found in troops or scattered groups.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Smooth, sometimes finely pruinose when young, hygrophanous.

Growth Form

Scattered to gregarious, sometimes in troops.

Spore Print

Dark purplish-brown to blackish-brown.

Body color

Cap: Dark brown to reddish-brown (moist), fading to pale buff or grayish-brown (dry). Stem: Whitish to pale brownish.

Odor

Indistinct.

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise.

Height

4-12 cm

Cap Diameter

1-4 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnate to adnexed.
• Stem shape: Cylindrical, slender.
• Stem surface: Smooth or finely striate, often pruinose at apex.
• Ring: Absent.
• Stem cross-section: Hollow.

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