Summary:
Features of Mycenastrum corium are 1) a medium to large, roundish fruitbody with a white outer layer that is felty becoming areolate [cracked like dried mud] forming thin grayish patches that wear away, exposing the inner case, 2) the inner case that is thick, tough, and brownish, eventually breaking into irregular lobes exposing the dark brown to purple-brown powdery spore mass, 3) absent sterile base (but mycelial fibers often present), 4) growth in pastures, horse corrals, barnyards, and composted areas, and 5) round warted-reticulate spores.

Odor:
unusual or mild (Miller)

Taste:
pleasant, mild, (Miller)

Microscopic:
spores 8-12 x 8-12 microns, round, warted-reticulate; capillitium branched, thorny, (Arora), spores 8-12 x 8-12 microns, round, warty, brown; capillitium thick-walled, branched, spiny, (McKnight)

Notes:
Mycenastrum corium is widely distributed but especially common in the west of North America, (Arora). It is widespread in North America, and often common in the Rocky Mountains, (McKnight). The species was examined from AZ: it is common in many parts of the United States, abundant in the west, and previously reported from CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, MI, MT, WY, Asia, Australia, Europe, India, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and South America, (Bates). There are collections from OR and CA at Oregon State University, and from BC at Pacific Forestry Centre and the University of British Columbia. It was reported from BC (in Redhead) and CA (Arora).

EDIBILITY

edible (McKnight), presumably edible when firm and white inside (Arora)

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Acanthophysium lividocoeruleum (P. Karst.) Boidin
Corticium lividocoeruleum P. Karst.