Identification: Cherry Laurel fungus

this fungi was growing on our state champion Carolina Cherry Laurel this last fall. at the base and about 3 foot up the trunk. any thoughts to its id?

 

The pic has fallen off!

 

ooopps! here it is.

 

I'm surprised no one has answered this one yet. I recently saw a picture of fungi that look just like yours, but can't recall it for the life of me. More people check the board during normal mushroom-finding-weather (i.e. spring, summer, fall), but i'm still surprised no one has pegged this one yet!

 

thanks for the reply MycoRob. I will check back.

 

Sometimes it's necessary to make a spore print to get the identification down to a particular kind. Having these pop out of the tree doesn't bode well, of course.

 

what is a spore print?

 

I agree that a spore print, especially for these mushrooms, would be quite useful in getting an ID. Here is a VERY detailed description of what a spore print is, how to take one, and why they are important. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/spore_print.html

 

Psathyrella spadicea (P. sarcocephala may be a synonym). In the UK, species of the genus Psathyrella are called brittlestems.

The habitat and habit, as shown in the photo, of this fungus are very characteristic.

Cheers Harri Harmaja
http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/harmaja/about_myself.htm

 

thanks for the responses. when they pop up again, i will have to try the spore print.