Community find

Funnel Clitocybe, Winter Funnelcap, Sweetbread Mushroom

Clitocybe dealbata

Group

gilled mushroom

Season

Late summer to late autumn, sometimes into early winter in milder climates. Requires moist conditions.

Habitat

Open grassy areas, lawns, meadows, pastures, parks, often in rings or arcs, occasionally in woodlands among leaf litter. Typically found on richer soils.

Key characteristics

Cap: 2-7 cm wide, convex to flat, often with a central depression, thin, white to cream, smooth, dry. Gills: attached to slightly decurrent, crowded, white to cream. Stem: 2-6 cm long, 0.3-0.8 cm thick, cylindrical, often slightly thicker at the base, white to cream, smooth. Spore print: white.

Look-alikes

Some small, white, gilled mushrooms can look superficially similar. Careful examination of gill attachment, cap shape, and habitat is crucial for identification. Species like 'Clitocybe rivulosa' are very similar and sometimes considered the same species or a variety. Other small white LBMs (Little Brown Mushrooms) can also be confused, but usually differ in cap shape, gill spacing, or habitat.

Ecological role

Saprophytic, meaning it obtains nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter in the soil and leaf litter. It plays a role in nutrient cycling within its ecosystem.