Spore-print: salmon-pink.
Spores: medium sized, smooth, pale fawn under the microscope, angular almost cubic and 10-13 × 8-9 µm in size.
Marginal and facial cystidia: absent.
General Information: Nolanea staurospora is very common amongst grass, in many habitats such as on heaths, and in woodlands and copses, but it is particularly common in pastures and on lawns. It is difficult to separate from close relatives on field-characters, except for the strong mealy smell; however, it is recognised immediately by the spore-shape, in fact stauro—means a cross and spora—spore!
Plate 38. Fleshy fungi: Spores pinkish and angular, and borne on gills
![[Larger illustration]](#467779198995390083_illo123lg.png.id-5630257021326151139.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
Because of the flattened cap and gill-shape N. sericea (Mérat) P. D. Orton was first placed in Entoloma, but for a long time it was one of the smallest members of that genus. The European species of Nolanea have recently been critically analysed, and now that closely related species to the silky Nolanea have been found, it appears better placed in Nolanea although it is still found under Entoloma in many books. The Latin word ‘sericeum’ means silky and refers to the silky cap and stem of this fungus which is a very noticeable feature when the fungus is collected in the dry state. The common name which has been given to this fungus also refers to the silky nature of the fruit-body.
Illustrations: N. staurospora—LH 181; ND 312; WD 522. N. sericea—LH 181; WD 525.