Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Psathyrella conissans

Psathyrella conissans (Peck) A.H. Sm.

Clustered (12) on a log of Betula papyrifera in mixed forest, Canoose Flowage Protected Natural Area, New Brunswick - Collected by Adrian Carter & Virginia Zoll.

Basidiospores pale lilac (HSV340;10:90) in spore print, ellipsoidal to subphaseoliform, smooth, unchanging in Melzer’s Solution, without a germ pore, 6.6-8.7 X 3.3-3.9 µm. D/d = 1.90-2.26 (average[31]: 7.2 X 3.5 µm, D/d = 2.06).

Psathyrella conissans is not an especially distinctive member of its genus when viewed in the field, but closer study shows it to be rather unusual. The small basidiospores without germ pores and the beaked pleurocystidia with thickened upper walls are diagnostic, along with the curiously lilac-tinted spore print. The chip at right is a fairly good approximation of this colour. Unlike many species of Psathyrella, the fruiting bodies appear to lack a universal or partial veil, although the former might be present at the earliest stages of development.