Tree stump in orchard

[Petey132]

[Howard]

Hello Petey, Those are a species of coprinoid mushrooms, which are commonly called "Inky caps" because as they age they autolyze or self digest. The caps will seem to melt and drip "ink" off the stipes, sometimes leaving a "forest of stems". It usually takes only a couple of days to deliquesce after they bloom, en masse, following heavy rains. They typically will fruit around tree stumps and will seem to follow the roots, as they do in your photo.

These may be Coprinellus micaceus which gets its species name and its common name of "mica cap" because of a dusting of fine glistening particles on the caps (especially near the canter) of young specimens. They tend to easily wash of with rains, and I don't find them present on your samples. They may also be another coprinoid mushroom: Coprinopsis atramentaria. This one is thought to be the one that gives the coprinoid mushrooms the name "inky caps". Both of these are considered to be non-toxic, but some people may have adverse gastric episodes from eating them, especially if you drink alcohol within about 48 hours before or after consuming the C. atramentaria, which has earned itself the common name "Tippler's Bane" for its effects on drinkers who consume it. Also they are best to harvest before they age and become slimy. See info at Mushroom Expert: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/coprinopsis_atramentaria.html

I see you are from Cornwall. We vacationed there last summer and loved every minute and can't wait to go back.

Good luck with your mushroom hunting.

[MushroomDan]

yep, looks like Inky Caps!

[Dave W]

Likely a species of Coprinellus, an Inky Cap. Some of the Coprinellus types do not exhibit obvious deliquescence (liquifying).