Clustered Bonnet - Mycena inclinata

A medium-sized Mycena, growing in clusters ('fasciculate') on decaying hardwood.  It has a conical/campanulate cap and broad umbo, pale greyish yellow darkening to brown as it ages, with a paler edge.   The cap is striate and sticky when wet, with a scalloped edge.  The gills are whitish darkening to grey or brown as it ages.  The stem is initially grey, becoming yellowish or ochre with a reddish-brown base, then then dark brown as it ages.  The smell is variously described as 'spicy-rancid', wet paint, cucumber or floury.     

Other medium-sized Mycena on decaying wood; the clustered habit and ochraceous stem of older specimens help identification

Cheilocystidia clavate, irregular, with a few uneven simple or branched projections. 

Photograph the whole clump to show fasciculate habit; also from top down, in side view and from underneath to show gills; note habitat and substrate

Hardwood stumps and decaying wood, usually of oak

Late summer to autumn.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Common and widespread in Leicestershire and Rutland.