Melanophyllum echinatum (Roth ex Fr.) Sing. syn. Syn M. haematospermum (Bull.) Kreis. Lepiota echinata (Roth ex Fr.) Quél. syn. L. haematosperma (Bull. ex Fr.) Quél. s. Fr. Stacheliger Schirnpilz. Cap 1–3cm across, conico-convex becoming bell-shaped and finally expanded, granulate-mealy all over, dirty grey-brown, margin shaggy with velar remains. Stem 20–40 x 1–3mm, vinaceous pink, covered in greyish-brown meal. Flesh thin, whitish in cap, vinaceous in stem darkening towards the base. Smell strong. Gills deep pink at first soon discolouring vinaceous or brownish-pink. Spore print pallid, dirty grey becoming reddish. Spores elliptic-subcylindric, 5–6 x 2.5–3.5um. Mealy covering of cap formed of brown sphaerocysts. Habitat on burnt ground, or the rich soil of flowerbeds or compost heaps. Season spring to summer. Rare. Not edible. Distribution, America and Europe. |