Cortinarius talus Fr. (1838)                                                                                   *Collections: Calfiornia

This pale Phlegmacium doesn't stand out macro-morphologically with much except for the crowded gills. The smaller and smoother spores set it apart from other members of Section Multiformes. Partial molecular data suggests that the European and Western NA material are not quite far apart. This species has a distinct odor that some have described as "honey". I wouldn't describe it that way,  but to me it is a common odor amongst other mushrooms, particularly notable in Hygrophorus purpurascens.

KOH: 5% Spores: 7-8.3x4.2-5, rather smooth