Bedstraw Smut vs Common Fieldcap

Melanotaenium endogenum compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

• Bedstraw Smut is Not Evaluated while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bedstraw Smut	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Ustilaginomycetes (Ustilaginomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Ustilaginales (Ustilaginales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Melanotaeniaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Melanotaenium	Agrocybe
Species	Melanotaenium endogenum	Agrocybe pediades

Evolutionary Relationship

Bedstraw Smut and Common Fieldcap share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Basidiomycota. (Club Fungi)

Conservation Status

Bedstraw Smut

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bedstraw Smut	Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bedstraw Smut

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Bedstraw Smut

The Bedstraw Smut (Melanotaenium endogenum) is a species in the genus Melanotaenium. Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region. The species is documented in scientific literature under the name Melanotaenium endogenum.

Common Fieldcap

The Common Fieldcap (<em>Agrocybe pediades</em>) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the genus Agrocybe within the family Strophariaceae. It typically produces small, tan to pale brown cap-shaped fruiting bodies and is often found growing in clusters or scattered on lawns, grassy areas, forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil-rich ecosystems. The species typically inhabits forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Its geographic range includes several European countries — Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — as well as the United States in North America. <em>Agrocybe pediades</em> is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent stability. Biological traits of this species, including specific data on fruiting body size, lifespan, and ecological preferences, remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of its genus, it typically fruits during warmer months and often appears after rainfall in nutrient-rich grassland and woodland habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden