vs Common Fieldcap

Chroococcus macrococcus compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Fieldcap
Kingdom	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Cyanobacteriia	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Cyanobacteriales	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Microcystaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Chroococcus	Agrocybe
Species	Chroococcus macrococcus	Agrocybe pediades

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

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

Range

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

Chroococcus macrococcus is a cyanobacterium in the family Chroococcaceae, belonging to a group of unicellular to loosely colonial coccoid cyanobacteria distributed in freshwater and moist terrestrial environments. The specific epithet macrococcus refers to the large size of the cells, distinguishing this species from smaller-celled members of the genus. Chroococcus cells are characterized by their spherical shape, division by binary fission into pairs or tetrad arrangements, and enclosure within distinct gelatinous sheaths. The outer sheath layers are often visibly stratified in older colonies. Cyanobacteria of the Chroococcaceae occupy a broad range of aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats worldwide, from standing and flowing freshwaters to damp soil, rocks, tree bark, and the surfaces of other organisms. They are among the most ecologically resilient of photosynthetic microorganisms, tolerating desiccation, temperature extremes, and nutrient-poor conditions. Chroococcus macrococcus has been recorded from European freshwater localities. Its ecological significance lies primarily in contributing to primary production in aquatic communities. Like most microorganisms, it has not been formally assessed under IUCN criteria.

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.