Early Spring Entoloma - Entoloma vernum |
This one and many others were growing under a dense stand of young White Pines (Pinus strobus) in Falls Creek SNA (more on my trip there later), I took some pictures in the field, but they were all too blurry; I think my camera was tired. Growth under conifers and in the early spring are characteristics of the Early Spring Entoloma.
In general, Entoloma is a poisonous group of mushrooms. Don't eat a small, brown mushroom that grows on the ground, and has a pinkish spore print.
For more information on identifying the Early Spring Entoloma, consult the Mushroom Expert website. You'll find a fairly entertaining description of the Entoloma vernum species complex. Yes, little brown mushrooms can be entertaining!