thanks, so I understand that some of you have seen similar mis-shapes. I get it. So Verpa is the best canidate for this old thing. The unique characterstics were not present on the other (verpa stumps).

perhaps that blackened “top” is really the bottom? Verpas are hollow in age…
texture in hand should also be a tip-off.

and of course, when in doubt, save the specimen! a quick pass under the scope woulda told ya fer sure…

your “skirt” is just the cap slipped down the stipe.

mushrooms take great glee in faking us out! gotta have some laughs at human expense when yur a lowly fungus. ;)

thanks for the input Deb it doesnt smell, though all were old. also thought verpa…at first. then this specimen had other traits… hole in grey tip is the clicher for me not to be convinced.

I dont understand how it can go from thimble cap to skirt and tip with a hole in it, verpa conica dont do that correct?

like a moveable ring. that blueish color is pretty weird, tho.
texture of the fruit body is one key…that and smell, if it’s stinkhorns yer after! ;)