The genus Psathyrella is a large and complex group of dark-spored, saprotrophic fungi within the Psathyrellaceae family . Identifying these species often requires detailed microscopic analysis, as many possess nearly identical macroscopic features.

The taxonomy of Psathyrella has undergone significant revision:

: Species like Psathyrella piluliformis grow in clusters on decaying wood.

: Much of the foundational work on European species was published by Emile Kits van Waveren in his series "Notes on the Genus Psathyrella" and his 1985 monograph.