Stropharia caerulea - Строфария синяя - Blue Roundhead

Stropharia caerulea - Строфария синяя - Blue Roundhead - Blaue Träuschling 9/12/10—10/19/25

Stropharia caerulea, commonly known as the Blue Roundhead or Blaue Träuschling in German, is a small to medium-sized mushroom in the family Strophariaceae. The cap of this mushroom ranges from 2 to 6 cm in diameter and has a convex to flat shape. The cap surface is finely fibrillose and initially blue, turning to grayish-blue or grayish-brown as it matures. The gills of Stropharia caerulea are adnate to adnexed, initially pale gray-blue but turning purplish-brown as the spores mature. The stem is 3-8 cm long and 0.3-0.7 cm thick, with a pale blue to whitish color and a fibrillose texture. Stropharia caerulea can be found in various habitats, such as grasslands, woodlands, and gardens across Europe, particularly in calcareous soils. It is a saprotrophic mushroom that decomposes leaf litter and other organic matter, typically appearing from spring to autumn. The chemistry of Stropharia caerulea is not well understood, but it is considered inedible due to its small size and lack of known culinary value. The spores of Stropharia caerulea are purplish-brown, elliptical, and measure 7-10 x 4-6 micrometers. They are produced in basidia and released into the environment for reproduction and dispersal. Stropharia caerulea is a close relative of Stropharia aeruginosa, another blue-colored mushroom species. Both species share a similar ecology and habitat preference, although Stropharia caerulea is less striking in color. There has been limited research on Stropharia caerulea, and its potential ecological or pharmacological significance is not well known. However, its unique blue color and habitat preference make it an interesting species for further study. In summary, Stropharia caerulea is a small to medium-sized