Weather (KIAH): Temperature 22.6° (8.4° higher than normal), min. 21°, max. 26°, min. over preceding two weeks is 8°. Wind speed 6.3 km/hour.
Identified species: Deconica montana, Entoloma vernum.
A cluster of small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica montana complex) fruiting within a distinctly dead, brown patch of Atrichum moss on the median of Campbell Trail Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
An ecological observation from the median of Campbell Trail: a cluster of small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica sp., likely an undescribed small-spored species in the Deconica montana complex) fruiting within a distinctly dead, brown patch of Atrichum moss. While it might appear that the fungus killed the moss, the relationship is saprotrophic. Members of the Deconica genus are decomposers with a well-known affinity for mosses in the Polytrichaceae family (such as Atrichum and Polytrichum). It is highly probable that a localized disturbance on the trail median killed this specific patch of moss first. Once the Atrichum died, the underground fungal mycelium colonized the newly available decaying moss tissue, eventually producing the fruiting bodies seen here. Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
Small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica montana complex) fruiting within a distinctly dead, brown patch of Atrichum moss on the median of Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
Side view of small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica montana complex) on the median of Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
Underside of small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica montana complex) on the median of Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
Close-up of small saprotrophic mushrooms (Deconica montana complex) on the median of Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026
Spring Pinkgill mushrooms (Entoloma vernum) on Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy State Park. Leon County, Texas, February 21, 2026Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
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