Colchicum Smut vs Common Fieldcap

Urocystis colchici compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

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

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Colchicum Smut	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Ustilaginomycetes (Ustilaginomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Urocystidales (Urocystidales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Urocystidaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Urocystis	Agrocybe
Species	Urocystis colchici	Agrocybe pediades

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Colchicum Smut

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Colchicum Smut

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Denmark.

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

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

Range

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

Colchicum Smut

<em>Urocystis colchici</em>, known as Colchicum Smut, is a smut fungus in the order Urocystidales, family Urocystidaceae. This pathogen is associated with plants in the genus <em>Colchicum</em> and has been recorded in Denmark, with a likely broader presence in European ecosystems. Smut fungi in the genus <em>Urocystis</em> are obligate plant parasites that typically infect host plant tissues, often producing dark masses of teliospores that replace normal plant structures such as leaves, stems, or seeds. <em>Urocystis colchici</em> has not been evaluated under the IUCN Red List, and its conservation status is unknown. The species' impact on host <em>Colchicum</em> plants within its European range has not been extensively quantified. Population estimates and trend data are absent. Biological traits including reproductive cycles and spore dispersal mechanisms broadly follow those of other <em>Urocystis</em> species, but specific data for <em>Urocystis colchici</em> are not documented in available records. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

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 1 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark