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While surveying for the StableGrass project, I found some interesting species. The site was an acidic semi-natural grassland in the Carrigeen/Galtee mountains.

Heath waxcap (Gliphorus laetus), smokey spindle (clavaria fumosa), blushing waxcap (Hygrocybe ovina), crows pinkgill (Entoloma corvinum)

The genus Entoloma (pinkgills) is greatly associated with semi-natural grasslands. While all share the characteristic pink and angular spores. E.corvinum (crow pinkgill), E.formosum (pretty pinkgill), and E.conferendum (star pinkgill) are all quite common in Irish grasslands.

These species were all found on a local sheep pasture. It appears to have been improved and seeded in some areas but the waxcaps may tell a different story.

This common species is the Conical brittlestem (Parasola conopilus). It's striated conical cap and brittlestem are a good indication. To ease memorising, think of the shape of the cap (cone ~ conopilus)

This species appears to be the Pestle Puffball (Lycoperdon excipuliforme). It is in it's mid-life period now when the fine warts have been shed from the cap but are still apparent on the uniquely large stem.

Found a fibrous waxcap (Hygrocybe intermedia). The species is identifiable by its fibrous cap and stem and it's slightly serrated gills. The latin is easily remembered as it is not as wet as other waxcaps (hence it is an intermediate). #WaxcapWatch

This large mushroom is a horse mushroom (Agaricus arvensis), look for a cog- wheel pattern on the stems ring.

This species is known as the dung deamon (Deconica coprophila) and, true to it's name, it is found growing gregariously on dung and leaf litter on grasslands and pastures. Phoebe O'Brien Irish Semi-natural Grasslands StableGrass Project

Found some good indicators for quality grassland in a local sheep field. Yellow club (Clavulinopsis helvola) and butter waxcap ( Hygrocybe ceracea). #GreatIrishGrasslands #waxcapwatch Phoebe O'Brien StableGrass Project

While WaxcapWatch is a PlantLife initiative only covering the UK, you can still identify waxcaps in Ireland and submit records to the National Biodiversity data Centre! greatirishgrasslands.ie/learn-more-abo… Phoebe O'Brien Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Irish Grassland Fungi (IGF)

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