13 December 2025 Denny Wood, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Cap Initially club shaped, white, head expanding and becoming sub-spherical or brain shaped, grey to dark brown, to about 1 cm across Stem Thin, equal, concolorous with the cap Flesh Spongey, leathery Smell Strong, especially when dried, of powdered fenugreek seeds Season Autumn and winter Distribution Infrequently recorded Habitat On dead and living wood from deciduous trees, often in large numbers Microscopic Features Spores subspherical, smooth (5-8) x (5-8) µm2 Edibility Inedible Notes This slow growing species can be present for many months, and form huge swarms on the host wood. 
1 March 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
7 November 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
1 March 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
14 November 2025 Preston Oak Hills, near Preston Candover, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 November 2025 Thedden Copse, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
A crop from the previous image. 29 November 2025 Thedden Copse, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |