Clitocybe rivulosa

Morphological Features:

Pileus small in size, rarely exceeding 5 cm in diameter, slightly convex when young but soon becoming flattened and finally depressed. Predominantly white, but usually irregularly stained with pinkish-red zones. The surface is covered with a whitish pruina that cracks slightly upon drying. In young specimens, the margin is incurved, later becoming irregularly wavy, with a rather thin edge.

Lamellae adnate to slightly decurrent, white, occasionally tinged with pinkish-red, though this is uncommon. Rather crowded.

Stipe generally short and usually curved, solid and tough, furnished with a whitish tomentum at the base. White in color, though often stained with a pinkish-ochre tone.

Flesh tough and thin, white, slightly pinkish beneath the cuticle, with a sweet and mild taste, and a faint fungal odor.

Habitat:

Fruits primarily in autumn, forming fairy rings or lines, but almost always gregarious. We have observed it in open areas, field margins, and grassy zones, as well as in clearings along paths within some pine forests. It is a species that should be considered frequent.

Observations:

Belongs to the broad group of toxic white Clitocybe species, containing high levels of muscarine. Do not confuse with Clitopilus prunulus or miller's mushroom, a choice edible with a very similar appearance, but whose flesh is fragile rather than tough, and whose spore print is pink, not white. There are several other toxic white Clitocybe species closely related to this one, such as Clitocybe candicans or Clitocybe phyllophila, to name a few, among others.