Mycena adscendens (Lasch) M. Geest.
Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. (C) 84: 211. 1981.

Common Name: none

Synonym: Mycena tenerrima

• Pileus

  Cap 2.0-4.0 mm broad, at first hemispherical, becoming convex to flattened-convex, the disc sometimes sub-umbilicate; margin incurved in youth, decurved at maturity; surface translucent-striate/sulcate from margin to disc, the latter pale grey, elsewhere pallid, coated with white, sugar-like granules, these frequently inconspicuous with age; context thin, membranous, translucent-white, unchanging when cut; odor and taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills adnexed to notched, sometimes forming a collar-like structure near the stipe, closely spaced when young, subdistant in age, relatively broad, whitish, edges minutely fringed (use hand lens); lamellulae up to two-seried.

• Stipe

  Stipe 0.4-1.0 cm long, < 1.0 mm thick, filiform, round, hollow, equal except for a swollen, disc-like base; apex whitish, translucent, glabrous, lower portion pale grey, lustrous with sparse hairs, becoming more densely hairy near the basal disc; partial veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 8.0-10.5 x 4.0-6.0 µm, broadly ellipsoid to oblong-ellipsoid, smooth, thin-walled, contents granular, hilar appendage not conspicuous, faintly amyloid; spores white in deposit.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious on fallen branches of hardwoods and conifers; common after periods of wet weather; fruiting throughout the mushroom season.

• Edibility

  Unknown, insignificant.

• Comments

  This tiny white Mycena is easily recognized when young by a cap coated with sugar-like granules, and a stipe with a swollen disc-like base. The cap granules becomes less distinct with age but remnants can usually be found with a hand-lens. Similar Mycenas include M. alphitophora and M. stylobates. Mycena alphitophora resembles M. adscendens in having a granular cap, but the stipe base is not swollen or disk-like. Somewhat larger and sturdier is Mycena stylobates. This species does have a basal stipe disc, but lacks cap granules.

• References

  Perry, Brian A. (2002). A Taxonomic Investigation of Mycena in California. Masters Thesis, San Francisco State University: San Francisco, CA. 157 p.
  Desjardin, Dennis E. (1995). A preliminary accounting of the worldwide members of Mycena sect. Sacchariferae. Bibliotheca Mycologia 159: 1-89.
  Mass Geesteranus, R. A. (1992). Mycenas of the Northern Hemisphere. II. Conspectus of the Mycenas of the Northern Hemisphere. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Vetenschappen: Amsterdam, Netherlands. 493 p.
  Robich, Giovanni (2003). Mycena D'Europa. Associazione Micologica Bresadola: Trento, Italy. 728 p.
  Smith, Alexander H. (1947). North American Species of Mycena. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 521 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Michael Wood: Mycena adscendens (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Mycena adscendens (CP)
  • Mycena Page: Mycena adscendens (D & CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 314 (D, I, & CP)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)