About Arrhenia spathulata (Fr.) Redhead
Description: The cap of Arrhenia spathulata measures 5-20 mm across and is hygrophanous. When wet, the cap becomes dark grey with translucent striations, and it pales to grey-brown when dry. It is either spatula-shaped or funnel-shaped and has a smooth texture. The hymenophore bears branched grey veins that anastomose as it ages, and these veins are adnexed to the stipe. The stipe measures 2-3 mm in length by 0.5-1.5 mm in width. The flesh has an odor similar to geranium leaves. The spore print is white. Spores are teardrop-shaped and measure 7-10 by 4-6.5 μm. Each basidium bears 4 spores, measures 28-34 by 7-10 μm, and has straight to curved sterigmata. Cheilocystidia are absent, and clamp connections are absent across all tissues. Ecology: Arrhenia spathulata grows on Tortula ruralis var. ruraliformis. It is common on coastal dunes in the Netherlands, and fruits from October to January.
