Hedgehog Scalycap

Phaeomarasmius erinaceus – Inedible

Fallen branches, twigs. Summer (rarely), autumn.

Fruiting bodies tiny. Cap 0.5–1.5 (2) cm across, hemispherical when young, later flattened, slightly raised, spiny-scaly, reddish-brown, brick- or cinnamon-coloured. Gills reddish-brown, adnate. Stem 0.5–2x0.2–0.3 cm, fibrous, finely scaly, the colour of the cap. Flesh pale brown. Characteristic features: cap and stem fibrous-scaly, reddish-brown. Grows mostly in autumn on dead small twigs of willow, aspen and other deciduous trees, singly or in small groups. Uncommon. Inedible, a small but attractive-looking fungus.