vs Common Fieldcap

Comatricha meandrispora compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Fieldcap
Kingdom	Protozoa (protozoa)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Mycetozoa	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Myxomycetes (Myxomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Stemonitidales	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Stemonitidaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Comatricha	Agrocybe
Species	Comatricha meandrispora	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, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across 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).

<em>Comatricha meandrispora</em> is a plasmodial slime mold in the genus <em>Comatricha</em>, class Myxomycetes, order Stemonitidales. The species epithet refers to the distinctive meandering ornamentation of its spores, a morphological feature used in taxonomic identification alongside capillitial structure and sporangial dimensions. It inhabits moist, shaded environments with abundant decaying wood and plant litter, as is typical of species in this genus. During its vegetative phase, the organism forms a motile plasmodium that engulfs bacteria, fungal spores, and other microorganisms as food sources. Environmental stress triggers the transition to reproductive sporangia, from which spores are released for wind dispersal. <em>C. meandrispora</em> contributes to decomposition processes in woodland ecosystems. No quantitative biological traits are available for this species, and it has not been evaluated on the IUCN Red List.

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 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden