Stropharia pseudocyanea - Строфария ложно-синяя - False Blue Roundhead

Stropharia pseudocyanea - Строфария ложно-синяя - False Blue Roundhead - Falscher Blauer Träuschling 4/1/11—9/24/22

Stropharia pseudocyanea, also known as the False Blue Roundhead or Falscher Blauer Träuschling in German, is a medium-sized mushroom belonging to the family Strophariaceae. The cap of this mushroom typically measures 3 to 7 cm in diameter, with a convex to flat-umbonate shape. Its surface is smooth and slimy when wet, displaying a blue-green color that gradually fades to grayish-blue or grayish-brown as the mushroom matures. The gills of Stropharia pseudocyanea are adnate to adnexed, initially light gray-blue but turning purplish-brown as the spores mature. The stem is 4-10 cm long and 0.5-1 cm thick, with a pale blue to whitish color and a fibrillose texture, often featuring a ring or ring zone. Stropharia pseudocyanea is primarily found in grasslands, meadows, and other open habitats, with a preference for calcareous soils. The distribution of this species covers Europe and parts of North America. It is a saprotrophic fungus, decomposing leaf litter and other organic matter, and typically fruits from late spring to autumn. The chemical composition of Stropharia pseudocyanea is not well understood, and the mushroom is considered inedible due to its small size and lack of known culinary value. Spores of Stropharia pseudocyanea are purplish-brown, elliptical, and measure 8-12 x 5-7 micrometers. They are produced in basidia and released into the environment for reproduction and dispersal. Stropharia pseudocyanea closely resembles Stropharia caerulea, the Blue Roundhead, but can be differentiated by its slimy cap surface and the presence of a ring or ring zone on the stem. Research on Stropharia pseudocyanea is limited, and its potential ecological or pharmacological significance remains largely unknown. Its distinctive coloration and habitat preference, however, make it an interesting species for further study.