Small Moss Oysterling
Small Moss Oysterling - Arrhenia retiruga
A very small and delicate fungus that is parasitic on mosses. Kidney or fan shaped, often with lobed margin, pale greyish, beige or nearly white. It is attached to the substrate by the upper surface of the felty cap, either centrally or offset. The gills are reduced to wrinkles, and there is no stem.
Arrhenia lobata is very similar, associated with mosses in bogs close to water; it has not been recorded recently in VC55. Rimbachia neckerae is similar but with shining white fruit bodies, and has not been recorded in VC55.
Note colour, which may not be evident in a photograph. Photograph in its habitat, from several angles, and also in detail showing fertile wrinkled surface. Note habitat and substrate.
on moss in shaded damp places, including lawns
Autumn to Spring.
It seems to be uncommon in Britain but is probably overlooked.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
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Additional images
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