Shield Dapperling
This widely distributed Lepiota resembles closely Lepiota magnispora, found mainly in the mountainous west. It features a shaggy stipe like L. magnispora, but its colors are more muted and lacking in yellowish tones. The central disc does not contrast as strongly with the rest of the cap as does the cap of L. magnispora. Both have brownish finely scaly caps over a whitish background. It grows singly or in clusters or groups on duff beneath hardwood or conifers. The cap flesh is thin and white. The white gills are free and 5he sporeprint is white. Caps reach to 5cm and stalks 10cm. It should not be eaten as some small Lepiotas contain deadly amatoxins