Hebeloma crustuliniforme Poisonpie

Specimes identified as Hebeloma crustulineforme in West Glamorgan are best regarded as members of a complex of species. They are medium sized with a radish-like smell and a creamy-brown cap which can be as much as 8cm in diameter, with a darker ochre-brown centre somewhat like the burnt pastry of a pie (it is sometimes known as the fairy cake mushroom). The stem is white and the gills exude conspicuous drops in humid conditions. The somewhat narrow, almond-shaped spores are 9.5 - 13 microns long and do not stain violet with Mezler's iodine in Hebeloma crustulineforme sensu stricto, unlike those of Hebeloma velutipes. The clavate cheilocystidia are relatively large and voluminous (37-95 x 6-14 microns) in some. It grows in scrubby woodland, often with willows but also with other trees including conifers. It is difficult to assess the exact status of Hebeloma crustulineforme sensu stricto in Britain (including West Glamorgan) because it has been widely misidentified and confused with other species, particularly Hebeloma velutipes, Hebeloma aanenii and Hebeloma eburneum, all of which are probably widespread in West Glamorgan. Geoffrey Kibby describes Hebeloma crustulineforme sensu stricto as an uncommon or rare species in Britain. Like other Hebeloma species, the fruiting bodies contain gastrointestinal toxins and some evidence suggests that some memebers of this complex may also contain more serious cytotoxins.