Lawn Mower's Mushroom
Psathyrella foenisecii
Subdivision Basidiomycotina
Order Agaricales
Family Coprinaceae

Characteristics:
* Cap brownish, conical to convex, often with a knob in the center, dark brown fading to tan, smooth, moist, 3/8-1 1/4".
* Gills dark to violet-brown, attached, broad, spore print dark purple-brown.
* Stalk pallid, smooth.
* Height: 1 5/8-3 1/4".

Natural History:
* Season: May - July and September.
* Habitat: Grass, scattered or in groups.
* Range: Throughout North America.
* Native.

Connections!
* The lawn mower's mushroom is edible, but all mushrooms should be carefully examined before eating.

* A good way to identify mushrooms is by looking at the color of the spores. To make a spore print, cut the mushroom cap off of the stalk and place it on a piece of black or white paper. Cover it, and in a day or so remove the cover and the cap. You will have a beautifully detailed print of the mushroom's gills. Colors of spores include black, white, red, brown, yellow, purple, and green.