A large Mycena with grey to grey-brown conical cap, paler towards margin. The gills are whitish.grey, and may become red-spotted with age.  The stipe is usually longitudinally strongly grooved, and grey to grey-brown, sometimes slaty-grey.

Specimens with strongly grooved stems are distinctive, but smooth-stemmed varieties do occur and are similar to other species, especially M vitilis. 

Photograph from top down, in side view and underneath to show gills and full length of stipe; note habitat and substrate.

Decaying wood and the base of trunks, often oak, and often in clusters.

Found from summer to late autumn

Widespread but not particularly common in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.