Beechmast Candlesnuff vs Common Fieldcap

Xylaria carpophila compared with Agrocybe pediades

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Beechmast Candlesnuff	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Sordariomycetes (Sordariomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Xylariales (Xylariales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Xylariaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Xylaria	Agrocybe
Species	Xylaria carpophila	Agrocybe pediades

Evolutionary Relationship

Beechmast Candlesnuff and Common Fieldcap share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Fungi. (Fungi)

Conservation Status

Beechmast Candlesnuff

LC — Least Concern

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Beechmast Candlesnuff	Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Beechmast Candlesnuff

Habitat

Native to Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Brazil, 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).

Beechmast Candlesnuff

The Beechmast Candlesnuff (Xylaria carpophila) is a species in the genus Xylaria. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Native to Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

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 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden