Synonyms: Agaricus pennatus, Drosophila gossypina, Drosophila pennata, Hypholoma pennatum, Pilosace pennatus, Psathyra pennata, Psathyrella carbonicola, Psilocybe pennata.
Psathyrella pennata is a small to medium-sized fungus with a bell-shaped cap, typically 1-4 cm in diameter, that ranges in color from pale brown to grayish-brown. The gills are crowded, narrow, and attached to the stem. It grows in clusters or scattered groups on rich soil, decaying wood, and other organic matter. In East and Central Texas, Psathyrella pennata has been found in a variety of habitats, including urban parks, woodland edges, and along streams, often fruiting from spring to fall, particularly after rainfall.
Brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella pennata carpeting ground in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 5, 2013
Cluster of light brown brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella pennata in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 5, 2013
Brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella pennata in a semi-open area of burnt forest in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 23, 2020
Brittlegill mushrooms Psathyrella pennata in burned area in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, October 17, 2021
Underside of brittlegill mushrooms Psathyrella pennata in burned area in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, October 17, 2021
Caps of brittlegill mushrooms Psathyrella pennata in burned area in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, October 17, 2021
Mushrooms Psathyrella pennata(?) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, September 7, 2022
Spores of mushrooms Psathyrella pennata(?) (in KOH, spore print dark brown) collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, September 7, 2022Observations of Psathyrella pennata in East and Central Texas show the fungus growing in various environments. In Bastrop State Park, it was found carpeting the ground, in clusters, and in semi-open areas of burnt forest. The mushrooms were observed on multiple dates: January 5, 2013, February 23, 2020, and October 17, 2021. They were also spotted in Sam Houston National Forest on Richards Loop Trail on September 7, 2022. The mushrooms were often light brown and had a brittle stem. Spore prints collected from the mushrooms in Sam Houston National Forest were dark brown when treated with KOH. The fungus appears to thrive in burned areas, as observed in Bastrop State Park after a fire. The underside of the caps and spores were also documented, providing further insight into the characteristics of Psathyrella pennata in this region.
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