Veiled Poisonpie

Veiled Poisonpie Hebeloma mesophaeum (Pers.) Quél. (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 2–4.5cm across, convex then expanded, margin covered in white fibrous veil remnants when young; yellowish-brown, darker tan to date-brown at centre; viscid when moist. Stem 40–70×4mm; whitish above, brownish towards the base; poorly developed, fibrillose ring zone. Flesh white in cap, brownish towards stem base; taste bitter, smell strongly of radish. Gills free; clay-brown. Spores 8–10×5–6¼, elliptical, very minutely punctate. Spore print rusty clay. Cheilocystidia elongate-cylindric with obtuse apex, base often slightly enlarged, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat damp woodland, often on burnt ground; late summer to early winter. Common. Unknown edibility, best avoided.