Pseudosperma is a genus of ground-dwelling mushrooms that live in partnership with trees, forming mycorrhizal relationships where both organisms share nutrients. These mushrooms can be found in forests across North America and beyond, often in late summer and fall. They were once grouped under Inocybe, but DNA studies and microscopic features showed enough differences to give them their own genus (Matheny et al., 2020). They tend to grow under hardwoods or conifers and are typically small to medium in size.

Most Pseudosperma mushrooms have dry, dull-colored caps in shades of brown, yellow-brown, or tan. A common feature is a rivulose cap surface — meaning it often has fine cracks or lines that give it a weathered look. The gills are attached to the stem and turn brown with age. The stem is usually fibrous and lacks a ring. These mushrooms don’t have a strong smell like other Inocyboids. The spore print is brown.

References

Matheny, P. B., Hobbs, A. M., & Esteve-Raventós, F. (2019). Genera of Inocybaceae: New skin for the old ceremony. Mycologia, 112(1), 83–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2019.1668906

Zhang, Z., Liu, J., & Yang, Z. (2022). New species of Mallocybe and Pseudosperma from North China. Journal of Fungi, 8(3), 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030256​