Fauna
Fungus

Grey Knight

Tricholoma terreum

Also known as Dirty Tricholoma

Grey knights form extensive mycorrhizal networks with two-needle pines and other conifers, often fruiting late into autumn and winter after frosts have begun. Small to medium in size, their caps display dry, velvety mouse-grey scales over a pale background with brittle, white gills beneath. Dense clusters frequently erupt through thick mats of pine needles on well-drained sandy or calcareous soils.

MycorrhizalConifer ForestLate Season
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMycorrhizal (symbiotic with conifers)
Predators
  • Fungus gnats
  • Slugs
  • Red squirrels
ThreatsSoil compaction and loss of mature conifer stands
HabitatsConiferous woodlands, particularly under pine trees
Life spanPerennial mycelium living decades; fruiting bodies 1–2 weeks
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyTricholomataceae
  3. GenusTricholoma
  4. SpeciesTricholoma terreum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Visual ID: Check for the absence of a distinct stem ring and note the brittle white gills.
  • Spore printing: Take a spore print on dark paper to confirm its pure white spore deposit.
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