Blackening Brittlegill and other fungi

Young Russula nigricans

Blackening Brittlegill (Russula nigricans) is a very common toadstool of deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It seems to be particularly abundant this year. Fresh specimens are usually a dirty white colour but specimens turn black with age (photo below shows the collection above after 24 hours).

Blackening reaction 24 hours after collection

These fruiting bodies were abundant in the hedges along Plas Road, near the village of Cilybebyll in the company of equally abundant Purple Stocking Webcap (Cortinarius stillatitius).
There were also abundant fruiting bodies of Inocybe aghardii on Morfa Tip last week where Mark had found a nice population (60+ spikes) of Autumn Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis).

Inocybe dulcamara, Morfa Tip

Inocybe species (Fibrecaps) are difficult to identify in the field and need to be confirmed by microscopic features. They are brown-spored and this results in the characteristic brown colouration of the mature gills. Inocybe dulcamara is fairly common in coastal areas, but it can be confused with another Fibrecap called Inocybe agardhii, which often occurs on sand dunes near willows..

Inocybe agardhii, Crymlyn Burrows

The young fruiting bodies of Inocybe agardhii have a copious cortina (a web-like veil across their gills) which breaks away as the cap expands to leave a fibrous ring on the stipe (see photograph above) and this is obvious in young, fresh specimens. However, older specimens can be difficult to identify.
Please note that ALL Fibrecaps are poisonous and should not be tasted. Some are very poisonous.