Tubaria furfuracea - Тубария отрубистая - Scurfy Twiglet

Tubaria furfuracea - Тубария отрубистая - Scurfy Twiglet - Schuppige Tubaria 9/23/22

Tubaria furfuracea, commonly known as the Scurfy Twiglet, is a small mushroom species in the Tubariaceae family. The cap of this mushroom ranges from 1 to 4 cm in diameter, with a convex to flattened shape, and is covered in fine, fibrous scales giving it a scurfy appearance. The cap color is typically cinnamon brown to ochraceous brown. The gills are adnexed or adnate, and their color is pale brown to ochraceous, darkening as the mushroom matures. The stipe is slender, measuring 2 to 6 cm in length and 0.1 to 0.3 cm in diameter, with a pale color that darkens towards the base. Tubaria furfuracea produces a brown spore print, and its spores are elliptical, measuring 6-9 x 3-4.5 µm. The spores are smooth to slightly roughened and have a thickened cell wall. The Scurfy Twiglet is a saprotrophic species, decomposing leaf litter and small twigs. It prefers to grow in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in parks and gardens. This mushroom is distributed across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, and typically fruits during autumn and early winter. Although Tubaria furfuracea is not considered toxic, it is also not regarded as an edible species due to its small size and lack of culinary value. The Scurfy Twiglet plays an essential role in the decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling in its preferred habitats. Tubaria furfuracea is not considered a threatened species; however, it can be affected by habitat loss and changes in environmental conditions. When identifying Tubaria furfuracea, it is essential to be cautious, as several small brown mushrooms resemble it and can be challenging to differentiate without microscopic examination.