Fairy Bonnets (aka Fairy Inkcaps)

Description:

Coprinellus disseminatus (formerly Coprinus disseminatus; commonly known as "fairy inkcap" or "trooping crumble cap") is a species of agaric fungus in the family Psathyrellaceae. Unlike most other coprinoid mushrooms, C. disseminatus does not dissolve into black ink (deliquesce) in maturity. There were four distinctive clusters or "troops" of these mushrooms growing on a rotting tree stump alongside Rock Felt Ferns (Pyrossia rupestris). My hesitation with identifying this spotting is due to the colour and lack of definite grooves on some of the caps; they were quite smooth. Colour of caps pinkish grey (depending on light), but the stipes were red, and gills quite pale. I know there are colour variations within the species, but red doesn't seem to be one of them.

Habitat:

Spotted along a ridge on the Morelia Track at Mt. Nebo, in D'Aguilar National Park. Wet eucalypt forest and nearby gullies of sub-tropical rainforest. This section of the track is slightly more exposed to direct sunlight at this time of year. Area currently moist due to recent rain.

Notes:

Another link - http://hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/asse... (page 28 of pdf).