Emily Johnson
The Brittlestem mushroom, scientifically known as Psathyrella candolleana, is a member of the inkcap-related group of fungi. It is commonly referred to as the Common Crumblecap and is known for its brittle stem, which bends and snaps easily. While the edibility of this mushroom is debated, with some field guides labelling it as inedible and others as edible but not worthwhile, the focus of this discussion is on its potential psychedelic properties. This delicate mushroom is found in woodlands, woodland clearings, and grasslands across the world, but are Brittlestem mushrooms psychedelic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Pale Brittlestem, Crumble Cap, Common Crumble Cap, Common Stump Brittlestem, Clustered Brittlestem |
| Scientific name | Candolleomyces candolleanus / Psathyrella candolleana |
| Family | Psathyrellaceae |
| Cap colour | Starts as golden-brown, fades to pale white with yellow tinges |
| Cap shape | Starts as a dome, flattens out to a diameter of 3-6cm |
| Stem | Brittle, hollow, white, scurfy snakeskin pattern, may have a ring around it |
| Cap flesh | Thin and delicate, breaks easily |
| Gills | Tightly packed, start out white, darken as spores mature through pinks and greys to dark brown, do not auto-digest and melt away |
| Occurrence | Common and widespread in meadows, on lawns and in woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America |
| Edibility | Field guides vary, from 'inedible' to 'edible but not worthwhile' |
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What You'll Learn
Brittlestem mushrooms are edible but not worthwhile
Brittlestem mushrooms, scientifically known as Psathyrella candolleana, are edible but not worthwhile. They are commonly referred to as the Common Crumblecap. They are delicate mushrooms that grow in woodlands, woodland clearings, and on timber buried in damp grasslands. They are common and widespread in meadows, lawns, and woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America.
The Pale Brittlestem mushroom has a brittle stem that will snap if bent. It is hollow, like a dandelion stalk, and bears a distinctive pure white scurfy snakeskin pattern formed by the remnants of the veil or velum. The cap of the mushroom is thin and delicate and breaks easily. It starts out dome-shaped and golden-brown in colour, flattening out to a diameter of 3-6cm and fading to a pale near-white colour with slight yellow tinges.
The gills of the mushroom start out white but darken as the spores mature through pinks and greys to a dark brown. They do not auto-digest and melt away like those of other inkcap-related fungi. Instead, the gills are relatively tightly packed and remain intact, distinguishing them from similar mushrooms.
While Brittlestem mushrooms are edible, they are insubstantial and it would take a large quantity to make a meal. Therefore, they are generally not considered worthwhile for culinary purposes unless no other options are available. Some field guides even record them as inedible or of unknown edibility.
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Brittlestem mushrooms are found in woodlands and woodland clearings
Brittlestem mushrooms, also known as Crumble Caps, are found in woodlands and woodland clearings. They are a member of the inkcap-related group of fungi and are characterised by their brittle stems, which can be snapped easily. The mushrooms have a distinctive pattern on their stems that resembles a pure white scurfy snakeskin. This pattern is formed by the remnants of the veil, the membrane from which the immature fruit body develops and emerges. The flesh of the cap is thin and delicate, and the gills underneath are tightly packed. They start out white but darken as the spores mature, turning pink, grey, and then dark brown.
Pale Brittlestems, or Psathyrella candolleana, are the most common variety of Brittlestem mushrooms. They are found in woodlands and woodland clearings, as well as on lawns, meadows, and in grasslands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America. They typically appear during the summer rains at the end of the school year. The cap of the Pale Brittlestem is initially dome-shaped and golden-brown but flattens out to a diameter of 3-6 cm and fades to a pale white colour with yellow tinges.
Clustered Brittlestems, or Psathyrella multipedata, are another variety of Brittlestem mushrooms. They are found in open woodlands, lawns, and roadside verges with buried rotten timber. They are less common than Pale Brittlestems but are still widespread in woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America. Clustered Brittlestems get their name from the fact that they grow in dense, tufted groups from a common base, as if treading on one another's toes.
While Brittlestem mushrooms are generally considered non-toxic, they are not commonly consumed due to their insubstantial nature. Some field guides describe them as "edible but not worthwhile," while others list them as inedible or of unknown edibility. However, they play an essential role in the ecosystem by feeding on dead organic material, breaking it down, and returning nutrients to the soil.
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Brittlestem mushrooms have a distinct appearance
Brittlestem mushrooms, scientifically known as Psathyrella candolleana, have a distinct appearance. They are small mushrooms with a brittle stem, or stipe, that can be easily snapped. The stem is hollow and features a distinctive pattern resembling pure white scurfy snakeskin, formed by the remnants of the veil or velum. While the stem typically lacks a ring, it may occasionally be present. The flesh of the cap is thin and delicate, breaking easily to reveal tightly packed gills that start out white but darken as the spores mature, transitioning through pinks and greys to a dark brown hue.
The cap of the Pale Brittlestem mushroom is initially dome-shaped and golden-brown, measuring 2-8 cm in diameter. As the mushroom matures, the cap flattens out, eventually attaining a diameter of 3-6 cm and fading to a pale white colour with slight yellow tinges. The cap margin is irregular and radially asymmetrical, a defining trait of this species. The variability of the Pale Brittlestem's appearance can sometimes lead to confusion with other mushroom species, such as the Clustered Brittlestem (Psathyrella multipedata).
The Conical Brittlestem, formerly classified as Psathyrella conopilus, also exhibits a similar appearance to the Pale Brittlestem. However, it has been reclassified as Parasola conopilus, highlighting the genetic differences between the two species. The Pale Brittlestem is a member of the Psathyrellaceae family, characterised by dark-spored agarics with soft, fragile fruiting bodies. This family includes the coprinoids or inkcaps, such as the Shaggy Inkcap.
The Pale Brittlestem is a common and widespread species, found in woodlands, meadows, lawns, and pastures throughout Europe and North America. It typically fruits from spring to fall, with a peak in late summer. The mushrooms grow in clusters or rings on rich soil, dung, or decaying organic matter, particularly in areas with abundant moisture. They are often spotted in lawns, pastures, and along roadsides.
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Brittlestem mushrooms are part of the inkcap-related group of fungi
Brittlestem mushrooms, scientifically known as Psathyrella candolleana, are part of the inkcap-related group of fungi. They are also commonly known as the Crumble Cap, or Common Crumble Cap. Brittlestem mushrooms are characterised by their thin, delicate flesh that breaks easily, and their tightly packed gills that start out white but darken as the spores mature, turning into a dark brown colour. The mushrooms have a brittle stem, or stipe, that can be easily snapped and is hollow, resembling a dandelion stalk. The mushrooms are typically found in woodlands, woodland clearings, and on timber buried in damp grasslands. They are widespread in meadows, lawns, and woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America.
The Pale Brittlestem is a member of the Psathyrellaceae family, which includes dark-spored agarics with soft, fragile fruiting bodies. This family also includes coprinoids, or inkcaps, such as the Shaggy Inkcap. However, one key difference between Brittlestem mushrooms and other members of this family is that their gills do not autodigest and melt away into a black ooze. The cap of the mushroom starts out dome-shaped and golden-brown, eventually flattening out to a diameter of 3-6 cm and fading to a pale white colour with slight yellow tinges.
The Pale Brittlestem mushroom is considered by some field guides to be 'edible but not worthwhile', while others classify it as inedible or of unknown edibility. They are insubstantial, and it would take a large quantity to make a meal. Therefore, unless one is desperate, the Pale Brittlestem is not typically considered a culinary collectible.
The Brittlestem mushroom has undergone taxonomic changes due to DNA analysis, revealing that previously assumed relationships between species were not as closely related as once thought. For example, the Conical Brittlestem, which has a similar appearance to the Pale Brittlestem, has been reclassified from Psathyrella conopilus to Parasola conopilus. These taxonomic changes emphasise the complexity and ongoing research in the field of mycology, the study of fungi.
In summary, Brittlestem mushrooms are part of the inkcap-related group of fungi and exhibit characteristics such as brittle stems, thin flesh, and distinctive gill colour changes. They are widespread in certain habitats and have been studied for their potential culinary and taxonomic significance.
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Brittlestem mushrooms are challenging to identify for beginners
Brittlestem mushrooms, scientifically known as Candolleomyces candolleanus or Psathyrella candolleana, are challenging for beginners to identify due to their generic mushroom appearance. They are a very delicate member of the inkcap-related group of fungi.
The Pale Brittlestem has a brittle stem, or stipe, that will snap if bent. The stem is hollow, like a dandelion stalk, and bears a distinctive pattern resembling pure white scurfy snakeskin, which is useful for identification. This pattern is formed by the remnants of the veil or velum, the membrane from which the immature fruit body develops and emerges. The flesh in the cap is thin and delicate and breaks easily. The gills underneath are tightly packed and start out white, but darken as the spores mature within them through pinks and greys to a dark brown.
The cap of the Pale Brittlestem starts out dome-shaped and golden-brown in colour, flattening out to a diameter of 3-6 cm when fully expanded and fading to a pale near-white colour with slight yellow tinges. Geoffrey Kibby, in his book Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe, Volume 3, notes that young Pale Brittlestems can also be "reddish ochre". This colour variation may further confuse beginners attempting to identify the mushroom.
The Pale Brittlestem is a member of the Psathyrellaceae family of dark-spored agarics that generally have rather soft, fragile fruiting bodies. They are common and widespread in meadows, on lawns, and in woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America. They typically appear after the first heavy summer rains, marking the arrival of the mushroom season.
While challenging for beginners to identify, the Pale Brittlestem can be recognised with ease once one becomes more familiar with its distinctive features.
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Frequently asked questions
Brittlestem mushrooms, scientifically known as Psathyrella candolleana, are delicate mushrooms that are part of the inkcap-related group of fungi.
No, Brittlestem mushrooms are not psychedelic. They are, however, considered edible but not worthwhile due to their insubstantial nature.
Brittlestem mushrooms have a brittle stem that can be snapped easily. They have a distinctive white scurfy snakeskin pattern formed by the remnants of the veil. The cap is thin and delicate, and the gills underneath are tightly packed, starting out white and darkening as the spores mature through pinks and greys to a dark brown.
Brittlestem mushrooms are commonly found in woodlands, woodland clearings, and on timber buried in damp grasslands. They are widespread in meadows, lawns, and woodlands throughout Britain, Ireland, Europe, and North America.
Brittlestem mushrooms can be identified by their brittle stem, distinctive white scurfy snakeskin pattern, and thin, delicate cap. Additionally, their gills start out white and gradually darken as the spores mature. They are also commonly known as Crumble Caps due to the crumbly nature of their caps.
