Common Fieldcap vs Hemlock Varnish Shelf

Agrocybe pediades compared with Ganoderma tsugae

Key Differences

• Common Fieldcap is Least Concern while Hemlock Varnish Shelf is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Fieldcap	Hemlock Varnish Shelf
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Polyporales (Polyporales)
Family	Strophariaceae	Polyporaceae
Genus	Agrocybe	Ganoderma
Species	Agrocybe pediades	Ganoderma tsugae

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Fieldcap and Hemlock Varnish Shelf share a common ancestor at the Class level: Agaricomycetes. (Mushrooms)

Conservation Status

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Hemlock Varnish Shelf

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Fieldcap	Hemlock Varnish Shelf
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

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

Range

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

Hemlock Varnish Shelf

Habitat

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

Range

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

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:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇳🇴 Norway 🇺🇸 United States