Psathyrella multipedata - Псатирелла многоножковая - Clustered brittlestem

Psathyrella multipedata - Псатирелла многоножковая - Clustered brittlestem - Büscheliger Düngerling 9/30/22—10/10/25

Psathyrella multipedata, also known as the Clustered brittlestem, is a mushroom species in the Psathyrellaceae family. The cap measures 2 to 5 cm in diameter, starting as bell-shaped and becoming broadly convex with maturity. The cap surface is smooth and slightly hygrophanous, with colors ranging from pale brown to reddish-brown. The gills are initially pale but become darker as the mushroom matures. The stipe measures 4 to 10 cm in height and 0.3 to 0.7 cm in thickness, with a white to pale brown color and a characteristic brittle texture. The mushroom is considered inedible due to its poor taste and fragile nature. Psathyrella multipedata produces spores that are smooth and ellipsoid, measuring 6 to 9 µm in length and 3.5 to 5 µm in width. The spore print is dark brown. The Clustered brittlestem is typically found in clusters on decaying wood, wood chips, or woody debris, particularly in hardwood forests. Its distribution is predominantly in North America and Europe, but it has also been found in Asia. The chemistry of Psathyrella multipedata remains relatively unexplored, but it is known to contain compounds that contribute to its fragile structure and brown coloration. As a decomposer, the mushroom plays a vital role in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients within forest ecosystems. The Clustered brittlestem is not a popular edible mushroom, but it serves as an interesting subject for mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts due to its unique growth habits and delicate structure. In some areas, Psathyrella multipedata is considered an indicator of healthy ecosystems, as it prefers growing on decaying wood. It is essential to differentiate Psathyrella multipedata from other similar-looking Psathyrella species by observing its clustered growth pattern and habitat preferences.