Arrhenia epichysium
Mycotaxon 83: 47. 2002.
Common Name: none
Synonym: Omphalina epichysium (Persoon) Quélet
Cap 1.0-3.0 cm broad, convex-depressed to infundibuliform; margin incurved, then decurved; surface translucent-striate, hygrophanous, grey-brown to dingy-brown, fading to lighter shades, glabrous except furfuraceous at the center; context thin, approximately 1.0 mm thick, watery-brown, unchanging; odor and taste mild.
Gills decurrent, fairly well-spaced, relatively broad, up to 3.0 mm wide, light-grey, paler than the cap and stipe; lamellulae in three to four series.
Stipe 1.0-2.5 cm long, 2.0-3.0 mm thick, more or less equal, hollow-stuffed in age, frequently white-tomentose at the base; surface glabrous, watery greyish-brown; partial veil absent.
Spores 7.0-8.5 x 4.0-4.5 µm, elliptical to elliptical-oblong in face-view, slightly inequilateral in profile, smooth, thin-walled, hilar appendage inconspicuous, contents granular, inamyloid; spores deposit not seen.
In small groups on hardwood and conifer logs; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter in coastal and foothill forests of the Sierra Nevada, again in the spring at higher elevations.
Unknown.
Once an Omphalina, now placed in Arrhenia as a result of molecular studies, this small drab mushroom is recognized by a greyish-brown, umbilicate to funnel-shaped, grey-brown, striate cap, and lignicolous habit. Several Omphalina spp. (sensu lato) are similar, but can be separated by their different fruiting habits, i.e. on soil or in mossy areas. Arrhenia epichysium is sometimes confused with Lichenomphalia umbellifera, traditionally known as Omphalina ericetorum or Gerronema ericetorum. It also occurs occasionally on well decayed wood, but differs in a pale-brown to yellowish-brown, not grey to grey-brown cap. Additionally, as suggested by the genus name, it is actually a lichenized fungus, i.e. forms a symbiotic relationship with an alga. Evidence of this association can sometimes be seen as clumps of algae at the base of the stipe.
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Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
Redhead, S.A., Lutzoni, F., Moncalvo, J.-M. & Vilgalys, R. (2002). Phylogeny of Agarics: Partial Systematics Solutions for Core Omphalinoid Genera in the Agaricales (Euagarics). Mycotaxon 83: 19-57.
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
