114
BRITISH MYCENA SPECIES - 2
ERNEST E EMMETT
Alasdair, Farnham Lane, Heslemere, Surrey GU27 lHD.
COLLECTION AND EXAMINATION
Identification of Mycena species using
existing keys can be very frustrating.
Somehow one's collection seems to
differ from the closest in the key, by
what seems to be a significant factor.
This is more understandable now that
the confused state of the nomenclature
has been largely unravelled by Maas
Geesteranus (1980-1992). (See Emmett,
1992 for a list of references preceding
the additional ones given below.)
Some sections are still difficult and
new European species are being
described at frequent intervals.
In this article, attention is drawn to
the features of particular importance
when collecting Mycena and related
genera. Advice is also offered on com-
piling a set of notes covering macro-
and microscopical characters suitable
for identification of collections. It is
still not the moment for a key to all the
species the author wishes to include,
but it is hoped that one will be avail-
able in time for the British Mycolo-
gical Society's 'Mycena workshop'
planned for 1993. In the meantime a
key is offered to those species which
can be identified in the field, more or
less without ambiguity. This should
promote the addition of more species
of Mycena to foray lists. Many com-
mon species are missing from this key
because they can be confused with
others at a macroscopic level.
Is it a Mycena?
There is no foolproof method of
separating Mycena 'look-alikes' in the
field from Mycena s.str. For this
reason the main key will include these
allied genera within it. When it comes
to microscopy, while some genera are
readily separated using spore charac-
ters, others need more detailed struc-
tural analysis. Singer (1986) suggests
that Hemimycena (Singer) Singer can
be separated from Mycena s.str. by the
reaction of the stipe hyphae with Cres-
yl Blue. Mycena species are said to
stain with contrasting colours whereas
any such reaction with Hemimycena
is slight or absent. The author has not
found this reaction to be entirely
reliable, but would be glad to learn of
the experience of others.
Collecting Rules for Mycena et al.
(A) In the Field:
(i) Take care to trace the location of
the mycelium if at all possible. If
it is on wood, then record
whether it is coniferous or
deciduous.
(ii) Record the way the basidiomata
('fruitbodies') are attached to the
substratum. If a basal disk or
patch of radial fibres is present
note the nature and colour, and
collect it.
(iii) Record any smell immediately.
(iv) Record the viscidity of the stipe
and pileus, test the pileus surface
for the presence of a separable
pellicle. If this is done carefully
with forceps, it need not be
removed and specimen damage
is limited.
(v) If possible place each collection
in a separate small odourless
container. Take care to preserve
delicate surface features of stipe
and pileus when handling them.
(B) At 'home':
(vi) Check for any smell, it may be-
come more obvious in the con-
tainer. (See note below on smells).

(vii) Note the presence and location
of pubescence, hairs or scales.
(viii) If possible set a pileus to yield a
spore deposit on glass, mainly as
a source of mature spores for
measurement, and for reaction
with Melzer's reagent.
(ix) Count the number of lamellae
reaching stipe, this can be a key
character.
(x) Note the attachment of the
lamellae to the stipe and their
longitudinal shape. i.e, concave,
nat or convex. (Also termed ar-
cuate, plane and ventricose,
respectively). This shape is a key
feature for some species.
(xi) Measure the diameter of the pilei
and the lengths and diameters of
the stipes.
(xii) Record colours, preferably by
reference to a colour chart. The
author uses the Colour Chart
(Anon. 1969) and that of
Kornerup & Wanscher (1978).
The former is easier to use with
modifiers but may not be
available. The latter is quite ex-
pensive but is referred to by
many European mycologists.
(xiii) Note the colour of the edge ofthe
lamellae and examine the
lamellae-face for pleurocystidia,
using a hand-lens or low
powered microscope. e.g.
Mycena galopus has con-
spicuously protruding facial
cystidia; those of M.capillaripes
and M.pelianthina have col-
oured contents which give the
lamellae a spotted appearance.
This is also an opportune mo-
ment to try to separate the
lamella edge with a needle. In
some species it will separate as
a gelatinous thread.
(xiv) If possible test the strength of the
stipe. The literature abounds
with vague descriptions of this
character without an accepted
method for evaluating it. The
115
author uses the following
method which is an attempt to
bring method to the problem.
The stipe is gripped with the
fingers about 20mm apart and
slowly twisted. The toughness is
recorded as degrees of rotation
possible before fracture, and the
nature of the fracture. e.g. 'snaps
cleanly at about 60°' or 'greater
than 180°' for those which are
tougher.
All of the above features, except for
spore size, can be noted without
recourse to microscopy. It is also
possible to observe the reaction of
spores and tissue to Melzer's reagent
using a hand-lens. The amyloid reac-
tion of spores can be checked on a
spore deposit. For the tissue, cut a sec-
tion across a tract of lamellae so as to
expose the lamella-trama and apply a
small drop of reagent. A positive reac-
tion is a vinaceous colour. If no reac-
tion is seen for the spores, a positive
reaction from the trama is usually an
indication that the spores are amyloid.
Smells are even less easy to define
than colours. In the absence of a
reference chart, it is necessary to refer
to familiar smells. The problem of
common experience with smells
makes such a task difficult. With
Mycena species the useful reference
smells are best described as follows:
raphanoid or radish like; of dilute
hypochlorite bleach; mealy; of nitric
acid; and of iodoform. The first three
of these, are common experience
although in the third case one might
refer to the smell of a different familiar
fungus, i.e, Clitopilus prunulus, as a
reference. The last two smells are
more difficult. since many people may
not often meet the reference materials.
Those unfamiliar with nitric acid,
should familiarise themselves with En-
toloma nidorosum which is a common
species possessing a strong version of
the smell. There is a simple kitchen
method of becoming familiar with
116
iodoform. Place a crystal or two of
washing soda in a saucer. Put onto this
a few drops of tincture of iodine,
which is a solution of iodine in
alcohol. Pour a little hot water onto
this and a small amount of iodoform
will be produced for you to smell.
Microscopic Examination
Although the simple key below does
not utilise microscopical characters,
the following comments are offered to
those prepared to make more detailed
notes. For this group the following
details should be sought:
(A) The reaction of spores and
lamella-trama with Melzer's
reagent.
(B) Spore size and q value for 10 or
20 spores, thence average values,
ideally from a spore deposit
(q = length divided by width of
spore).
(C) Details of lamella cystidia; these
are always present on the
lamella-edge (cheilocystidia) and
sometimes on the lamella-face
(pleurocystidia). In some cases
there are two types; one should
aim to sketch representative
samples.
(D) The number of spores per
basidium, quite easily deduced
from the number of sterigmata.
Beware, however, of reading a
plane view of a four-spored
basidium as that of two spores.
Look for several.
(E) Details of the hyphae on the sur-
face of the stipe, especially the
presence and nature of terminal
ends of these hyphae, i.e.
caulocystidia. The hyphae may
be smooth or verrucose.
Artificial Key to Mycena Species using Macroscopic Characters
It is highly recommended that collectors prepare a spore print, if only to con-
firm that the spores are white. Certain species of Entolomataceae look like
Mycena species and have similarly few lamellae but they have pink spores.
(F) Details of the hyphae on the
pileal surface. These may be
anything from smooth to being
covered with branched ex-
crescences, which may tangle to
form coralloid masses.
(G) The presence or absence of
clamp-connexions. The narrow
surface hyphae of the stipe are
good to reveal these.
(H) The structure of the outer layers
of the pileus surface in section.
The use of ammoniacal congo red in
the preparation of slides, serves to
reveal most of the desired structures.
Very small fragments of tissue should
be removed with a sharp razor blade
or minute scalpel. In the case of
lamella structures: remove a whole
lamella and sever the very edge. Select
a portion of lamella with no edge to be
mounted for pleurocystidia and a sec-
tion of the severed lamella-edge
separately, for cheilocystidia.
The importance of the form of the
cystidia is of much more significance
than is suggested in early keys. It is
worth taking trouble to disrupt
cystidia from the surrounding tissue.
to enable a sketch to be made and
measurements to be taken of the
separated cystidia.
Caulocystidia are equally important
and are best seen from thin slices
taken along the surface of the stipe a
short way below the gills, away from
hymenium which sometimes occurs at
the apex of the stipe.
A useful micro-scalpel can be
fashioned from a needle or en-
tomological pin: beaten flat. sharpen-
ed, and hardened by heating in a flame
and quenching.
 117

KEY TO THE GROUPS

1 8asidiomata min ute and with 'furfuraceous appeara nce, as if dusted
with icing sugar KEY A
1 8 asidiomata either smooth or pruinose, perhaps with marked
pubescence On the stipe but not furfuraceous all over 2
2 (1) Pileus with a separable elastic pellicle KEY .8
2 (1) Pileus with no separable pellicle. If the urface peels it does
o only in strips and these are not of amorphous gelatinous
tissue 3
3 (2) Stipe glutinous (slimy) but pileu without a separable pelIicle KEY C
3 (2) Stipe not glutinous although it might be slightly viscid when wet, e.g.
if tested with moist lips 4
4 (3) 8asidiomata yielding cloudy, whit or coloured liquid from
broken tissue, especially the stipe of a fresh specimenKEY D
4 (3) 8asidiomata not yielding such latex when cut exce pt perhaps
a little clear liquid, like water in appearance 5
5 (4) Lamella-edge darker or of contrasting colour to the Cace KEY E
5 (4) Lamella-edge concolorous or paler than the Cace 6
6 (5) 8asidiomata with bright colours KEY F
6 (5) 8asidiomata without bright colours 7
7 (6) Small basidiomata on leaves, herbaceou stems, roots or on law ns or
among leaves KEY G
7 (6) 8asidiomata usually on wood KEY H
In the keys which follow, brief List. Abbreviations used: P - pileus:
descriptions of macro- characters are S - stipe; L: - number of la me llae
included and reference to an illustra- which reach the st ipe ; M.R.n ..
tion of the species entered in paren- Melzer's reagent.
theses. For this only one or two are The author expre sse s gratit ude to G
mentioned and where possible Dickson and T Laess oe for per mission
popular works have been chosen to use their pho tog ra phs. a nd to D
which have suitable examples. In Pegler for advice and d isc ussion.
some cases where illustrations are on-
ly known from non-British works or
REFERE CES:
not all, no reference is given. Ab- A o. (1969). Flora of British Fungi - Col-
breviations used for the works refer- our ldetitiiicetion Chart. Edinburgh,
red to are: B&K - Breitenbach & HMSO.
Kranzlln (1991); RP - Phillips (1981); BR EITENBACH.J & KRA. ZLI• . F (199 1). Fungi
MYC - The Mycologist Yr. issue. of Switzerland 3. Lucerne.
The names of species which the EM lE TT . E E (1992) . Briti sh Myc ena
author b lieves to be unrecorded from Species - t, The Mycologist 6. 72-76.
Britain, are entered in parentheses. H K OR. ERUP. A & WA SCHER. J H (1978).
is hoped that this will stimulate a Methu en Handbook of Colour Edit. 3,
search for these species . Man y London.
M AAs G EESTERANUS. R A (1991). Studies in
'Camiliar' and common species are ex- Mycenas - Additions and Correction s.
cluded from the key, as mentioned Proceedi ngs of the Koninklijke
above. because they cannot be unam- ederlanse Akadem ie van Weten-
biguously identified in the field. schappen. (Ser. C) 94 , 377-403 & 545-571.
ames with author citations but not in 51 GER. R (1986) The Agarical in Modern
parentheses, are new to the British Taxonomy. Edit. 4 Koenigslein.
;;- - - - -'
118

Plate 1. (A) Mycena corynephora, The Mens, W Sussex, 17 Nov 1991 (2nd British record),
note parallel tracts of hairs on stipe (Photo: E E Emmett); (B-C) M.stylobates, (B) showing pileal
protuberances; (C) pilicate basal disk (Photos: E E Emmett & T Laessee; (D) Miedscendens,
with basal disk; (E) M.renati, a distinctive but rarely recorded species; (F) M.bulbosa; (G)
M.rosella (Photos D-G: T Laessee],
 119

Plate 2. (A) Mycena bellise, rarely recorded (Photo: T Laessee]; (B) M.tintinnabulum, British
records need confirmation (Photo: T Laessee]: (D) M.rorida (Photo: G Dickson); (E)M. vulgaris,
similar to M.cinerella but brown and glutinous, see Key B (Photo: T Laessee]: (F) M.amicta,
with pubescent stipe and blue tints (Photo: G Dickson).
120

KEY A: MINUTE BASIDIOMATA OF FURFURACEOUS

APPEARANCE
1 Growing on decaying wood, moss covered logs or living trees . 2
1 Growing on hazel nuts adscendens or nu cicolor
Both adscendens and (nucicola Huijsm.] may occur on
this substratum and cannot be separated in the field.
2 (1) Stipe attached to substratum by a small, bulbous, hirsute
disk, stipe pubescence not markedly arranged in parallel
tracts adscende ns
P 2-5mm, S 5-20xO.2-0.5mm, L:7-12 adnexed, maybe
seceding from stipe and forming a sort of collar. White
or pale cream, on fallen wood or moss covered trunks
of deciduous, or more rarely coniferous, trees (B&K, 258;
MYC.92.3).
2 (1) Stipe without small bulbous disk, pubescence of stipe ap-
parently in parallel tracts. (The latter, noted in both
known British collections and in the B&K photograph)
........................... cory nephora Maas G.
P 2-5mm, S 5-10xO.2-0.6mm, L: 8-12 adnexed. White and
on similar substrates to the preceding species. (B&K, 266;
MYC. 92.3) (With a microscope it is possible to quickly
confirm this species; it has almost spherical spores, as
against the normal pip shape.)

KEY B: BASIDIOMATA WITH SEPARABLE ELASTIC

PELLICLE
1 On old stems of Phragmites australis in standing water, at or
just above the water level, sometimes fasciculate .... belliae
P 4-20mm dingy yellow brown to reddish brown, S
5-65xO.5-3mm, L: 18-26 deeply decurrent (MYC. 92.3).
1 On other substrata or much smaller 2
2 (1) On decaying wood and litter in coniferous or mixed
woodland or in rough grassy areas; no basal disk .. 3
2 (1) Other habitats or with a basal disk 3
3 (2) Stipe distinctly pubescent, dry and often blue at the base,
sometimes all blue; lamella-edge not separable as an elastic
thread amicta
P 5-15mm v. pale buff to sepia brown + 1- blue tints, S
40-70xO.5-2mm, L: 16-23 narrowly adnate. (B&K, 260; MYC.
92.3).
 121

3 (2) Stipe pub escen ce inconspi cuous or appearing as a bloom.

lamella-edge separable as an elastic thread.
4 (3) Small basidiomata, up to 10mm across. on debris of con-
ifers e.g . bark flake or fallen wood; stipe off-white with
bright blu e base. lamellae only 10-12 reaching the stipe
. .... . . . . .. . . . . . .... .. . ... ... (cy a n orrh iza Quel.)
P 1-10mm greyish colours. S 3-20xO.2-1mm. L: 10-12 adnexed
to almost free . (B&K. 266).
4 (3) 0 blue colours. more than 12 lamellae reaching the stipe
... .. . .... .. . . ........ ... .... ... ... . ......... 5
5 (4) In troops on fallen conifer leaves. pileus dark grey brown to
dirty white. centre often depressed. sulcate. pellucid striate.
lamellae arcuate often decurrent. stipe without yellow or red
colours vulgaris
P 5-20mm drab cla y buff to whitish with a darker centre. S
20-60x1-1.5mm pale grey brown paler above. L: 13-25 arcuate
and usually decurrent. (MYC. 92.3)
5 (4) Various colours and habitats. pileus usually larger than last
species and usually distinctly dark with many colour forms.
Stipe often bright yellow but may be greenish or reddish. Some
varieties stain reddish . Lamellae more often convex than
arcuate : epipterygia
P 10-25mm pale greyish citrine, greenish yellow. sepia. dark
red-brown. S 3D-85xl-3mm often lemon yellow . greenish or red-
brown ; if pale grey. then pileus blackish to dark brown-olive.
L: 15-25 ad nate to subdecurrent usually convex. sometimes flat
or arcuate. (B&K 268. 270).
6 (2) Basidiome arising from a distinct basal disk 7
6 (2) Basidiomata with no basal disk. in large troops and/or
fasciculate on tree trunks or stumps in winter. pileus sur-
face not easily separable but gelatinous
.... .. ... .. ... . . .... ..... ..... .... tintinnabulum
P 5-22 beige brown to amost black , S 15-55xO.8-2. L: 20-24
arcuate and subdecurrent. (MYC. 92.3).
7 (6) Growing from a conspicuous, large (2mm), pubescent disk. on
the mossy bole of living or recently fallen deciduous trees.
(Other species of similar size and habit occur in similar situa-
tions. but lack the basal disk and the separable pellicle
.. ..... . . . ...... .... .. . ........ ..... .. ..... clavularis
P 2-7mm shallowly su lcate, finely pubescent to arachnoid floc-
cose, white or greyish to pale grey brown . S 6-20xO.2-0.6mm
lightly pubescent. L: 7-12 ascending adnate, seceding from the
stipe to form a colla r-like stru cture . (RP75).
122

7 (6) On other sub trata or disk smaller 8

8 (7) On fallen leaves of Quercus; di k of white radially ar-
'ranged fibrils. which is not persistent. (Other similar
sp cies do not have the separable pellicle . . . . .-m ucor
P 1-3.5mm white. greYi, h or pale grey-brown. sulcate.
pellucid-striate. often appearing glabrous. S 6-25 x
O.1-D.4rnm. L: 8.14 adnate but eceding from tipe to form
a collar-like tructure.
8 (7) On woodland litter or the stems of herbs or riparian
plant • or disk different 9
9 (8) On the stems of riparian plants. especially [uncus effusus; ba al
disk not sulcate; profile of pileus not irregular ..... bulbo a
P 2-6mm off hite, pale greyish brown. S 5-20xO.1-0.2mm. L:
9-16 adnexed to almost free, seceding from the stipe to form
a collar-like structure. (B&K 262; MYC. 92.3).
9 (8) On woodland litter; disk plicate with a ciliate margin: pileus
with irregular profile due to the pre ence of apparent surface
wart-like protuberance . visible with a hand-len . tylobates
P 3-10mm white to grey or beige-grey. S 15-40xO.3-1mm, L:
14-24 adnexed to almost free. seceding from the stipe to form
a collar-like structure. (MYC 92.3).

KEY C: BASIDIOMATA WITH SLIMY OR GLUTINOUS

-_._-
STIPE BUT NO SEPARABLE PELLICLE
1 Basidiomata with the stipe enclosed in a conspicuous gelatinous
sheath, on dead leave . stems and twigs of various herbaceous
and woody plant . . rorid
P 2-13mm off white greyer or brownish toward the usually
depressed centre. S1Q-50xO.5-1mm. L: 12-20 arcuate, adnate to .
de urrent. (B&K 288) (MYC. 92.3).
1 Basidiomata with glutinou tipe not enelo d in a vi ible
gelatinous sheath, tis ociated with conifer litter, e p cially
Pinus specie . (Glutinous ch racter may ne d reviving in very
dry conditions. but is usually present even then.) c1avicularis
P 7-22mm warm drab. grey fawn. with a darker centre: S
2Q-60xO.7-1.5mm; L: 13-22 adnate, to decurrent. sinuate or
convex.

To be continued