Earthy Powdercap

Earthy Powdercap Cystoderma amianthinum (Fr. Cystoderme furfuracé), found in my local forest in mid-October, identified by a friendly mycologist in late November. It turns out to be easy to identify when you know how -- granular cap surface, white gills and the clear distinction between the scaly stem below the stem ring, and the smooth stem above. Described as 'a mushroom wearing an ill fitting stocking'! Don't confuse it with the Scurfy Deceiver Laccaria proxima, which has pink gills and no stem ring.

Some references list this as an edible mushroom, but most these days say it is not edible. In any case, it resembles the deadly poisonous webcaps Cortinarius spp far too closely to ever consider eating it, just in case you made a mistaken identity.