Panaeolus papilionaceus
Panaeolus papilionaceus, commonly known as the bell-capped mottlegill or Petticoat mottlegill, is a very common and widely distributed small brown mushroom that feeds on dung.
This mushroom is the type species for the genus Panaeolus.
Description
The cap is across, obtusely conic then becoming campanulate, and grayish brown. It is not hygrophanous and the margin is adorned with white toothlike partial veil fragments when young or towards the edge. The flesh is thin.The gills are adnate to adnexed, close to crowded, one or two tiers of intermediate gills, pale gray, acquiring a mottled, blackish appearance in age, with whitish edges. The spore print is black.
The stipe is 6–12 cm by 2–4 mm, gray-brown to reddish brown, darker where handled, paler toward the apex, brittle, fibrous, and pruinose.
The odor is mild and the taste unappetizing.
Microscopic features
The spores are 12–18 x 7–10 μm, elliptical, smooth, with an apical pore.Basidia 4-sterigmate; abruptly clavate. Cheilocystidia abundant; subcylindric, often subcapitate or capitate.
Similar species
Panaeolus retirugis is similar but more robust, with a larger cap and thicker stem.Panaeolus pantropicalis has a more tropical distribution than Panaeolus papilionaceus and Panaeolus retirugis.