Coprinopsis aesontiensis

Coprinopsis aesontiensis is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Psathyrellaceae.

Taxonomy
It was first described in 2016 by the Italian mycologists Andreas Melzer, Giuliano Ferisin & Francesco Dovana and classified as Coprinopsis aesontiensis based on DNA analysis.

Description
Coprinopsis aesontiensis is a small grey mushroom found rarely in North Eastern Italy.

Cap: Up to 30mm wide by 20mm tall. Campanulate (bell shaped) or conical. Grey with small white tufts or powdery scales. Gills: Start white maturing to dark brown. Crowded. Stem: 60-80mm long and 6-8mm in diameter. Slightly bulbous base. White with small hairs or downy tufts. Spores: Ellipsoid with a germ pore. 9.6-10.6 x 5-6 μm. Taste: Indistinct. Smell: Indistinct.

Habitat and distribution
The species was discovered in the North Eastern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy which borders Austria and Slovenia. Its distribution remains unclear.

Etymology
The specific epithet aesontiensis is named for the Aesontius river, a historical name for the Isonzo river in Slovenia.

Similar species
DNA analysis shows that Coprinopsis pulchricaerulea is closely related. However this species has a blue cap as opposed to grey and is found in the subtropical rainforests of Australia.