Synonyms: Agaricus atrorufus, Agaricus montanus, Agaricus ochreatus, Agaricus physaloides, Deconica atrorufa, Deconica bryophila, Deconica physaloides, Deconica polytrichophila, Geophila atrorufa, Geophila physaloides, Pilosace ocreatus, Pratella coriaria, Pratella montana, Psathyra ocreata, Psilocybe atrorufa, Psilocybe montana, Psilocybe ochreata, Psilocybe physaloides.
Common name: mountain moss deconica.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Deconica montana, commonly known as the moss-loving deconia or mountain moss psilocybe, is a common species of mushroom. Its appearance is that of a typical "little brown mushroom" with a small, brown cap and a straight, thin stipe. It usually grows in mossy and montane regions around the world.
Deconica montana is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Strophariaceae. In St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, and north-western Russia, it has been found growing on decaying wood, moss, and soil in coniferous and mixed forests. The fungus typically fruits from summer to autumn, producing small to medium-sized caps that are bell-shaped to convex, with a reddish-brown to brown color. It is considered a rare species in the region, but can be locally common in areas with suitable habitat.
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
Spores of small mushrooms Deconica montana (in KOH), collected on median of mowed path among short Atrichium moss of Campbell Trail in Fort Boggy, Texas, February 21, 2026Deconica montana was observed growing with Polytrichum piliferum moss in Lembolovo, 40 miles north of Saint Petersburg, on May 7, 2017. The fungus was also found near Kavgolovskoe Lake, south of Oselki, on July 25, 2017, and near Orekhovo, 45 miles north of Saint Petersburg, on August 27, 2017. In the latter location, it was observed in close-up and collected for further study. On May 14, 2019, Deconica montana was found growing on haircap moss in dunes near Ladoga Lake, east of Saint Petersburg. The fungus was observed from various angles, including a side view. These observations suggest that Deconica montana is commonly associated with Polytrichum piliferum moss and can be found in different locations throughout Leningrad Oblast and north-western Russia.
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