Conocybe subpubescens is a small to medium-sized agaric fungus that grows in clusters or scattered groups on soil, dung, or rich organic matter. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from spring to fall, often in areas with moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. The cap is 1-4 cm broad, bell-shaped to conic, and tan to brown with a paler margin. The gills are crowded, free, and pale yellow to buff. The stipe is slender, equal, and pruinose. This species is considered inedible due to its potential for containing psychoactive compounds.
Downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on a decomposed fallen oak or pine on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest west from Richards. Texas, April 9, 2019
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Side view of downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on a decomposed fallen oak on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest west from Richards. Texas, April 9, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Gills of downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on a decomposed fallen oak on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest west from Richards. Texas, April 9, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Cap of downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on a decomposed fallen oak on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest west from Richards. Texas, April 9, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens) under pines on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 22, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens) on pine needles on a terrace over the creek on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 22, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens) on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 22, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Downy conecap mushrooms (Conocybe subpubescens) collected under pines on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 22, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Small brown mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) on fallen pine needles on old logging road in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Cap of a small brown mushroom Conocybe subpubescens(?) in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Underside of a small brown mushroom Conocybe subpubescens(?) in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Side view of small brown mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) on old logging road in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Close-up of a small brown mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Brown caps of small mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Spores (in KOH) of small mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) collected a day before in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Texas, March 26, 2023
Spores (under pressure) of small mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens(?) collected a day before in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Texas, March 26, 2023
Small brown mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens on a trail with fallen pine needles on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Caps of mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens on a trail on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens at low magnification, collected on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023
Spores of mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens collected on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023
Gill tissue and spores of mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens in Congo Red dye at low magnification, collected on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023
Spores and gill tissue of mushrooms Conocybe subpubescens collected on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2023
Downy conecap mushroom (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 21, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Side view of a downy conecap mushroom (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 21, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Underside of a downy conecap mushroom (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 21, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores (in KOH) of downy conecap mushroom (Conocybe subpubescens(?)) (spore print brown), collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 21, 2024The fungus Conocybe subpubescens was observed in East and Central Texas over several years. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, particularly on the Lone Star Hiking Trail and Richards Loop Trail. The mushrooms typically grew on decomposed fallen trees, pine needles, or old logging roads. Observations were made from March to April, with multiple sightings in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. The mushrooms' characteristics, such as their downy caps, gills, and spores, were documented through photographs and microscopic examination. Some observations included spore prints and staining with Congo Red dye. While some identifications were tentative, marked with (?), others were confirmed as Conocybe subpubescens. Overall, the observations suggest that this species is common in the region during the spring season.
Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
This web page was generated by a special script.