Blue Roundhead

Blue Roundhead Stropharia caerulea Kreisel (illustrated 30% life size) Cap 3–8cm across, convex then obtuse-umbonate; bluish-green to yellow-green, soon discoloured to pale straw-yellow with only a hint of green; viscid, with fine, evanescent, white veil flakes at margin. Stem 40–100×3–12mm; coloured as cap; fugacious ring zone. Flesh pale blue-green; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills emarginate; pale vinaceous-buff to tobacco-brown when old. Spores 7–9×4.5–5¼, elliptical. Spore print umber­brown. Habitat in grass and leaf litter; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note this species has long been confused with Stropharia aeruginosa (above), which has a stronger blue-green colour, a copious white veil, and white, then darker purple-brown gills with white edges. I published it mistakenly in my first book as Stropharia aeruginosa.