Coprinopsis radiata

A small and delicate fungus narrowly egg-shaped when young, grey with a veil of white threads. Open mature caps remain bluish-grey, losing the veil of white threads. Stems usually white with no ring. Very brittle, the stem will split and roll back when broken and the cap will dissolve into an inky mess. Detailed examination of fresh young specimen is necessary to be sure of correct identification. Our thanks to VC55 expert Richard Iliffe for his help with this.

On mature manure of herbivores, particularly horse manure.

Found from spring until autumn

Found either solitary or in groups.

Widespread but not particularly common in Britain

Rare or under recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Sapcote record of April 2010 is believed to be the first confirmed record for VC55.