Nitrous Bonnet

Nitrous Bonnet - Mycena leptocephala

Description

A medium-sized and very variable Mycena.  The cap is dark brown, greyish or blackish-brown, with a paler margin, and paler when dry; stem and gills are greyish.  The smell is nitrous.  

Similar Species

There are several very similar Mycena found in the same habitat.

Identification difficulty

microscope/smell

ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Cheilocystidia clavate; usually smooth and without any projections.  The stem cystidia are irregular and inflated.

Recording advice

This is a difficult species, and we recommend that it is verified by an expert from a specimen before submission to Naturespot.  Microscopic examination will be needed.  Also photograph from top down, in side view and underneath to show gills; note smell, habitat and substrate.

Habitat

In grass or moss in woodlands, or on stumps or decaying hard- or softwood, 

When to see it

Autumn.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records