Hypholoma marginatum, also known as the Snakeskin Brownie, is a small agaric with a typically tan cap whose colour is highly variable, making it ineffective as an identification feature. However, this is not a significant issue since the distinctive snakeskin patterning on the stem serves as a distinguishing characteristic. It grows in small trooping groups on needles or decaying wood associated with coniferous trees.

Cap convex, flattening out as it matures while retaining a shallow umbo. The inrolled margin of young caps is covered with silky remnants of the partial veil. The colour of the cap is rather variable, but it is most often brick red in the centre and becomes paler towards the margin. Gills at first pallid yellow, then olivaceous-brown, adnate or emarginate, crowded. Stem silvery mottled appearance resembling a snakeskin pattern, fibrous; light ochre at apex, darkening progressively to a reddish-brown base. A faint ring zone is usually discernible. Spore print chocolate-brown.

Microscopic Features: The spores are ellipsoidal, smooth, measuring 7-9 x 4-5µm, and feature a small germ pore.

Hypholoma marginatum on the www.first-nature.com web site.