CANTERBURY: Rolleston, NZMS 260 M36/63-35-; Lincoln University, Horticultural Research Area, Block C, NZMS 260 M36/66-29-; Christchurch, Provincial State Highway 74, NZMS 260 M36/85-39-, PDD 68565, 68566.

Pileus 40-120 mm diam., thick, campanulate when young, finally convex-applanate, surface silky smooth, white (N9.5) when young, finally yellow (2.5Y 9/8), yellowing intensified by bruising (2.5Y 9/8 to 5Y 8/10); margin thin, inrolled when young, finally straight, with appendiculate remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, of several lengths, pale grey when young (5YR 8/2), finally moderate to strong brown (5YR 4/4-3/2); edge pale and sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 50-150 x 15-30 mm, central, solid to fistulose, cylindrical, base round, surface smooth, white (N9.5) above annulus and with age becoming amber yellow below annulus (5Y 8/8), yellowing intensified by bruising (5Y 8/10). Annulus descending, cog-wheel-like, white above with yellowing along the edge, surface silky smooth, white to amber yellow (N9.5 to 5Y 8/8) below, surface powdery. Flesh white (N9.5), little effect upon cutting, yellowing upon bruising (5Y 8/ 8); odour of anise; taste sweet. Schaffer's cross reaction positive.
Basidia 4-spored, 15-30 x 8-10 µm, clavate with sterigmata 3-5µm. Cheilocystidia 15-40 x 5-10 µm, broadly clavate, hyaline, abundant. Basidiospores strong brown (5YR 4/4) in mass, size (6.6-)7.1(-7.7) x (5.3-)6.7(-6.1) µm, elongation (1.1-)1.3(-1.4) µm, ellipsoid, dark brown (5YR 3/2) in water, refractive centre (1-2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND North Otago (Taylor 1983), Canterbury.

Usually gregarious, sometimes solitary in lawns or pasture, but also found on bare soil under stone fruit trees.

CANTERBURY: SW of Motukarara Gun Club, near Lake Ellesmere, NZMS 260 M36/75-18-; Ladbrooks, NZMS 260 M36/72-33-; Christchurch, NZMS 260 M36/85-45-, PDD 68569.

Pileus 60-200 mm diam., thick, fleshy, hemispherical when young, finally broadly convex-applanate, ± centrally depressed, surface scaly, scales sometimes become very pronounced during dehydration, whitish (N9.5) when young, finally moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4), bruising reddish to strong reddish orange (7.5R 6/10-5/12); margin thin, inrolled, edge broken with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, pale grey (5YR 8/1-8/2), when young, finally brown to dark brown (5YR 4/4-3/2); edge pale and sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 40-80 x 40-50 mm, central, solid, cylindrical, base round to narrowing, surface smooth, white (N9.5) above annulus, moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) below annulus, bruising red to carmine-red (5R 5/12-3/12). Annulus peronate, sometimes double, thin, white (N9.5) above, moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) below close to stem, surface smooth. Flesh quickly becoming red to carmine-red (5R 5/ 12-3/12) with cutting or bruising; odour unpleasant, fish-like, taste unpleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia 4-spored, 14-25 x 4-7 µm, clavate with sterigmata 4-5(-8) µm. Cheilocystidia 17-30 x 4-8 µm, broadly clavate to cylindrical, hyaline, abundant. Basidiospores dark brown (5YR 3/2) in mass, size (7.0-)7.9(-8.7) x (5.5-)6.1(-6.7) µm, elongation (1.1-)1.3(-l.4) µm, spherical to globose, pale brown to brown (2.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4) in water, refractive centre (single droplets), apiculus lateral, gem-pore not visible:

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury.

Gregarious in saline, sandy soils. Can form large (1-10 m diam.) rings in tussock grassland/pasture. Not of high edible quality.

CANTERBURY: near Lake Ellesmere, SW of Motukarara Gun Club, NZMS 260 M36/75-18-, growing naturally in saline soils; Ohoka, NZMS 260 M35/72- 62-; Lake Pukaki region, NZMS 260 H37/79-96- OTAGO: Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsular, NZMS 260 J44/33-90-, PDD 68567.

Pileus 50-80(-120) mm diam., thick, convex, fleshy, strong brown to brownish orange (5YR 5/4-4/5) scales on white surface (N9.5), bruising reddish (5R 7/6-6/8); margin thick, inrolled when young, finally straight, with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded of several lengths, pink (5R 8/4) when young, finally moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4); edge pale and sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 30-50 x 10-30 mm, central, solid to fistulose, cylindrical, base rounded to narrowing, surface smooth, white (N9.5) above annulus, white to brownish below annulus (7.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4), slight reddening (5R 6/8) on bruising. Annulus peronate, thick and broad, bifurcated edges, white above (N9.5), brown below (7.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4) white (N9.5) towards the edges, surface smooth. Flesh gradually reddening (5R 7/6-6/8) on cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia (l-)2(-4)-spored, 15-25 x 9-11 µm, broadly clavate, with sterigmata 3-5 µm. Cheilocystidia 30-80 x 7-9 (12) µm, clavate, hyaline, abundant. Basidiospores dark brown in mass, size (6.8-)7.7(-8.5) x (5.6-)6.1(-6.6) µm, elongation (1.0-)1.3(-1.5) µm, broadly ellipsoid, fawn to pale brown in water, refractive centre (2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury, Otago. Commonly cultivated mushroom.

Gregarious or in rings in pasture, often in areas with high manure content. Good edible quality.

Pileus (30-)50(-70) mm diam., thick, fleshy, convex when young, finally broadly convex-applanate, surface silky to fibrillose, white (N9.5) when young, bruising orchraceous brown (7.5YR 6/4-4/4), with soil particles often adhering to surface; margin thin, inrolled edge with remnants of veil when young; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, pink (5R 8/4) when young, finally moderate brown to dark brown (5YR 4/4-3/2), edge pale and sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 25-45 x 10-30 mm, central, solid, cylindrical, to widening at centre, base narrowing, surface smooth to fibrillose, white (N9.5) above annulus, browning below annulus (5YR 4/4-3/2). Annulus double: lower brownish (5YR 4/4-3/2), peronate, prominent; upper white (N9.5), pendant, surface fibrillose, indistinct. Flesh slowly becoming reddish brown (5R5/8-2.5YR5/8) on cutting or on bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia (2-)4-spored, 22-38 x 5-11 µm, clavate with sterigmata 4-8(-10) µm. Cheilocystidia 12-37 x 6-11 µm, broadly clavate, hyaline to fawn, abundant. Basidiospores dark brown in mass, size (6.9-)7.4(-7.9) x (5.5-)6.0(-6.4) µm, elongation (1.1-)1.3(-1.4) µm, ellipsoid, pale brown to brown in water, refractive centre (1-2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

Gregarious, may be hypogean in lawn or pasture. Good edible quality.

CANTERBURY: Lincoln University, biological husbandry area, NZMS 260 M36/66-29, PDD 69634, 52394, 53383, 62028, 28851, 28872.

Pileus 60-100 mm diam., medium thickness, fleshy, spherical when young, finally convex-applanate, surface silky smooth, white (N9.5) when young, finally pinkish (5R 8/4), bruising red (5R 6/KM/12); margin inrolled when young, finally straight, with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, pale pink (5R 9/2) when young, finally stronger pink (5R 8/4) then brown (5YR 4/4); edge concolorous, fertile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 50-80 x 10-15 mm, central, solid, cylindrical, narrowing at base, surface smooth, floccose at apex, white (N9.5), bruising reddish (5R 6/10-5/10). Annulus thin, wide, pendant, brownish (5YR 4/4) above, white below, surface silky. Flesh white (N9.5), quickly reddening (5R 6/10-4/12) upon cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer' s cross-reaction negative. Basidia 4-spored, 25-40 x 10-15 µm, broadly clavate, with sterigmata 2-5 µm. Basidiospores dark brown (5YR 3/2) in mass, size (7.1-)8.0(-8.9) x (4.8-)5.5(-6.1) µm, elongation (1.3-)1.5(-l .7) µm, ovoid to ellipsoid, brown (2.5YR 4/4) in water, refractive centre (1-2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore present

NEW ZEALAND Auckland (Taylor 1983), Canterbury, Fiordland.

Common in rings in lawn or pasture.

CANTERBURY: Halswell, SE of Sabys Rd, NZMS 260 M36/74-34-, PDD 68570, 68571.

Pileus 20-50 mm diam., medium thickness, fleshy, spherical when young, then convex, often centrally depressed, surface scaly in centre, streaked towards the margin, white (N9.5) when young, later moderate yellow-orange (10YR 8/10-7/10). Stipe 15-30 x 10-15 mm, very pointed sometimes twisted base, cream-buff below annulus (2.5Y 9/2), bruising yellow (10YR 8/10). Annulus thin, pendant, often flocculose. Flesh becoming pale brown (5YR 6/4-5/6) upon cutting or bruising. Basidia 2-4-spored, 17-35 x 6-9 µm, clavate, sterigmata 3-5(-10) µm. Basidiospore size (6.7-)8.2(-9.3) x (5.1-)5.8(-6.5) µm, elongation (1.2-) 1.4(-1.6) µm, ellipsoid.

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury.

Common in rings in lawn or pasture. Good edible quality.

CANTERBURY: Christchurch, NZMS 260 M36/85-45-, PDD 69635.

Pileus 30-70 mm diam., medium in thickness, convex when young, finally broadly convex to applanate, with copper brown to dark brown ( 10YR 5/6-4/4) scales at centre, decreasing towards margin, pale brown (5YR 6/4-5/6) to reddish (7.5R 5/8-5R 5/10) on bruising; margin inrolled when young, finally inrolled to straight, often with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, pink (5R 9/2) when young, finally dark brown (5YR 3/2); edge concolorous, fertile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 20-40 x 8-15 mm, central, solid to fistulose, cylindrical, narrowing towards the base, white (N9.5) to cream-buff (2.5Y 9/2 to 5Y 9/1) above annulus, surface smooth, brownish (5YR 6/4-5/4) below annulus, surface floccose, browning (5YR 6/ 4-5/4) when bruised. Annulus pendant, broad, brown above, white (N9.5) below, surface streaked. Flesh white (N9.5), pale brown slowly becoming reddish (5R 6/6-6/8) upon cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia 4-spored, 15-34 x 10-11 µm, clavate to broadly clavate, with sterigmata 3-5 µm. Basidiospores brown (5YR 4/4) in mass, size (7.2-)8.3(-9.4) x (4.9-)5.6(-6.3) µm, elongation (1.3-)1.5(-l.7) µm, pale brown to brown (2.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4) in water, refractive centre (1-2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury.

Gregarious or solitary, often in rings, lawn or pasture. Good edible quality.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: CANTERBURY: Christ-church, Mona Vale, NZMS 260 M35/78-42-, PDD 68572.

Pileus 60-120(-250) mm diam., thick, fleshy, convex when young, then convex-applanate, sometimes with a depressed centre, moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) to dark brown (5YR 3/4-4/6) scales on paler (2.5YR 4/4) surface; margin thin, inrolled, uneven edge, with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, white (N9.5) to pink (5R 8/4) when young, finally dark brown (5YR 3/ 2); edge pale, sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 50-80 x 20-50 mm, central, solid, cylindrical, swollen base, with mycelial cords (bruising yellow 2.5Y 9/8), above annulus white (N9.5) to moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4), surface fibrillose, with moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) streaks below annulus, bruising moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) to yellow (2.5Y 9/8). Annulus pendant, wide, white (N9.5) to moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) above, moderate brown (7.5YR 4/4) to dark brown (5YR 4/6) below. Flesh white (N9.5), with pinkish (5YR 8/4) to yellow-brown (10YR 8/6) reaction upon cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia 4-spored, 12-27 x 8-10 µm, broadly clavate, with sterigmata 2-4 µm. Cheilocystidia 12-27 x 7-10 µm, broadly clavate, hyaline to fawn. Basidiospores dark brown (5YR 3/2) in mass, size (7.3-)8.2(-9.1) x (5.2-)5.8(-6.4) µm, elongation (1.4-)1.6(-1.7) µm, strong brown (5YR 4/4) in water, apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury.

Growing through fine bark mulch in cultivated garden area with mature exotic confier species.

NORTH AUCKLAND: Whangarei, near Tanihua Lodge, NZMS 260 Q07/ 12-89-, PDD 68574.

Pileus 45-65 mm diam., thick, fleshy, convex when young, finally broadly convex, often with central depression, dark red-purple (5R 4/4-3/2) scales on lilac surface, scales decreasing towards the margin, bruising dark red (5R 4/8); margin inrolled when young, finally inrolled to straight, uneven edge, with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, pink (5R 4/4-6/4) when young, finally reddish brown 5R 3/2); edge concolorous, fertile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 35-45 x 12-18 mm, central, solid to fistulose, cylindrical, sometimes wider at the middle, narrowing towards the base, dark pinkish above annulus (5R 6/4-7/4), purplish below annulus (5R 5/4-6/4), surface sometimes streaked below annulus, bruising dark red-purple (5R 4/4-3/2). Annulus pendant, thin, purple-brown, ephemeral. Flesh white (N9.5), slowly becoming
reddish (5R 6/6-6/8) upon cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia 4-spored, 15-35 x 8-10 µm, broadly clavate to clavate, with sterigmata 2-5 µm. Basidiospores dark brown in mass, size (7.7-)8.5(-9.3) x (4.9-)5.7(-6.4) µm, elongation (1.1-)1.3(-1.4) µm, ellipsoid to ovoid, pale brown to dark brown (2.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4) in water, refractive centre (2 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Northland, Auckland (Taylor 1983).

In rings in lawn or pasture, reported amongst Paspalum grass.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTH AUCKLAND: Whangarei, Kamo, Pukenui Walkway, NZMS 260 Q07/23-09-, in humus under Kunzea ericoides, PDD 68575.

Pileus 15-40 mm diam., thin, convex when young, finally applanate, centre slightly umbonate, with fawn (3.5YR 5.2/4.0) scales on white (N9.5) background at centre, decreasing towards margin, bruising brownish orange (2.5YR 5/7-6/8); margin inrolled when young, finally straight, edge smooth, with remnants of veil; lamellae insertion free, thin, crowded, of several lengths to alternate, orchraceous salmon (4YR 7.0/7.5) when young, finally umber (7YR 3.7/5.8), edge pale, sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 20-40 x 4-10 mm, central, fistulose, cylindrical, club-shaped with swollen sometimes twisted base, smooth to silky, white (N9.5) to umber (7YR 3.7/5.8) above annulus, yellow (2.5Y 9/8) below annulus, especially towards base, bruising yellow (2.5Y 9/8-8/8), base with mycelial cords. Annulus pendant, thin, ± ephemeral, white above, yellow below, surface silky. Flesh white, becoming yellow (2.5Y 9/8-8/8) at stipe base upon cutting or bruising; odour of anise; taste sweet. Schaffer's cross-reaction positive.
Basidia 4-spored, 12-20 x 5-7 µm, clavate with sterigmata 3-4 µm. Cheilocystidia 15-29 x 6-8 µm, clavate, abundant, hyaline. Basidiospores dark brown (5YR 3/2) in mass, size (5.7-)6.4(-6.9) x (4.0-)4.5(-4.9) µm, elongation (1.3-)1.5(-1.7) µm, ellipsoid, pale brown in water (2.5YR 4/4), refractive centre (2-3 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Northland.

Gregarious.

CANTERBURY: Lincoln, beneath Cupressus macrocarpa, NZMS 260 M36/ 67-29-, PDD 68573.

Pileus (40-)90(-150) mm diam., very thick, fleshy, hemispherical when young, finally broadly convex to applanate, surface smooth to streaky, reddish brown (10R4/4) to brown (2.5YR 4/6) fibrillose scales, soil particles and humic materials often adhering to surface; margin thick and inrolled, with remnants of white (N9.5) veil; lamellae insertion free, thick, crowded of several lengths, sometimes grown together, pink (5R 9/2-8/4) when young, finally moderate to strong brown (5YR 4/4-3/2), edge pale, sterile; trama parallel to irregular. Stipe 30-60 x 20-30 mm, central, solid, cylindrical, swollen sometimes pointed base with mycelial cords, surface fibrillose, white (N9.5) to buff (10YR 9/2-8/4) above and below annulus. Annulus pendant, white (N9.5) to buff (10YR 9/2-8/4) above and below, surface smooth. Flesh white (N9.5) becoming reddish (7.5R 7/4-6/8) upon cutting or bruising; odour and taste pleasant. Schaffer's cross-reaction negative.
Basidia 4-spored, 19-40 x 6-11 µm, clavate to broadly clavate, with sterigmata 5-6 µm (very hyaline and difficult to see). Cheilocystidia 17-45 x 7-15 (20) µm, clavate to broadly clavate, hyaline to fawn, abundant. Basidiospores dark brown (5YR 3/2) in mass, size (6.9-)8.4(-9.8) x (5.5-)6.1(-6.7) µm, elongation (1.2-)1.4(-1.6) µm, ellipsoid to subglobose-globose, pale brown to brown (2.5YR 4/4-5YR 4/4) in water, refractive centre (1-3 droplets), apiculus lateral, germ-pore not visible.

NEW ZEALAND Canterbury, North Otago (Taylor 1983).

Gregarious or solitary, with hypogean development.