Spring Fieldcap
This species in the Strophariaceae family is perhaps the most commonly encountered species of all spring mushrooms in the PNW. It is typically an urban species found in wood chips or gardens or park setting but may occur in the wild. It may turn out to be a species complex. Characteristically it is some shade of yellowish brown to tan, honey-colored or even quite pale. The cap cuticle is cellular which leads it to split in any direction and not just radially. Mature specimens may display a dried mud crack pattern. Caps are smooth and not radially lined. Bel-shaped initially, they tend to later flatten out with a width up to 9 cm. Flesh is white and unchanging. The gills start white, become grayish and then brown as the spores mature. Gills are narrowly attached with frequent short gills. The thin white veil is skirt-like. It is fragile and often turns brown superiorly due to spore drop. It may persist or disappear. The stalks are up to 12 cm and may be thin or up to 15 mm across. They are silky smooth and whitish but become more tan with age and may become striate. The fungus may have a short, squat appearance or be much more leggy. Stalks are typically cylindrical with a bulbous base. Whitish mycelium is present with white rhizomorphs at the base. The odor is definitely farinaceous and the taste likewise. It is edible but an off-putting bitter taste persists, disrecommending it for the table. The spore print is brown. The fruit bodies may occur singly or gregariously, but frequently occur in compact groups.