Volvopluteus earlei

The cap of Volvopluteus earlei is between 25 and 50 mm (1.0 and 2.0 in) in diameter, more or less ovate or hemispherical when young, then expanding to convex or flat. It can have a low, broad umbo in the center in old specimens; the surface is markedly viscid in fresh fruit bodies; the cap is pure white, but sometimes develops pale brown tinges with age. The gills are crowded together, free from attachment to the stipe, ventricose, and up to 6 mm broad; they are white when young but turn pink with age as the spores mature. The cylindrical stipe is 30–50 mm (1.2–2.0 in) long and 2–10 mm (0.1–0.4 in) wide, and broadening towards the base. Its surface is white, smooth or slightly pruinose (as if covered with a fine white powder). The sac-like volva is up to 20 mm (0.8 in) high, white and has a smooth surface. The context is white in the stipe and cap and it does not change color when bruised or exposed to air. The smell and taste of the flesh are described as indistinct or herbaceous. The spore print is pinkish-brown.

The spores are ellipsoid and measure 11–16 by 8–11 μm. Basidia are 20–40 by 8–16 μm; they are usually four-spored but sometimes two-spored, and, more rarely, one-spored forms can occur. Pleurocystidia (cystidia on the gill face) are absent in most collections; if present they are scarce and similar to the cheilocystidia. …

Volvopluteus earlei is a saprotrophic mushroom that grows in gardens and grassy fields. It was originally found in banana fields in Cuba. In Africa, Spain and Italy it has been reported mostly in urban or anthropogenic garden areas. It usually fruits in groups of several mushrooms but it can also be found growing solitary. This species has been reported from Cuba, North Carolina, Mexico, Spain and Italy. Molecular data have so far corroborated that the European and African collections correspond to the same species.