Conocybe rickenii

Appearance

''C. rickenii'' has a conical cap of 1 to 2.5 centimetres across, which is an ochre-brown, sometimes becoming a little more grey at the centre. The stem is typically 40 to 70 millimetres in height, by 1 to 2 millimetres in thickness, and is whitish cream, darkening to a dirty brown with age. The thin layer of flesh is grey-brown in the cap, while lighter in the stem. It has ochre-cream gills, which are adnate, leaving a brown spore print. The spores themselves are elliptic to oval, measuring between 10 and 20 micrometres by 6 to 12 micrometres . It has two-spored basidia, and a cellular cap cuticle.

It is generally a little larger than the slightly more common coprophilious ''C. pubescens'', while it can be differentiated from other dung-loving ''Conocybe'' by its two-spored basidia, large spores and the fact it does not have lecythiform caulocystidia.

Distribution

''C. rickenii'' grows on extremely rich soil, especially on dung and compost heaps. It can be found in very large numbers in gardens where horse manure has been used to enrich the soil. It can be found in Europe, Australia, and Pacific islands and the United States.

Habitat

''C. rickenii'' grows on extremely rich soil, especially on dung and compost heaps. It can be found in very large numbers in gardens where horse manure has been used to enrich the soil. It can be found in Europe, Australia, and Pacific islands and the United States.