When collecting mushrooms in the tropics, one must never overlook the tiny
ones; they are often the most exciting.  Certainly one of the smallest species is
Gloiocephala epiphylla  with pilei only 1-2 mm in diameter and stipes less than 8 mm
long.  A careful look at the photo will reveal gland-tipped hairs covering the pileus
and stipe surfaces.  Each of these hairs represents a single cell that exudes a sticky
droplet.  These cells, called gloeocystidia, probably function to deter arthropod
predation.  In addition, those gloeocystidia on the stipe often trap discharged
basidiospores in a sticky mass that is easily transferred to passing arthropods that
accidently brush against the basidiomata.  In this way, the exudates may also aid in
spore dispersal.  You may also notice from the photo that this tiny mushroom lacks
gills.  We say that the basidiomata are "reduced" as a result of the loss of these
structures during the evolutionary history of the species.  The reproductive strategy of
this species is to produce numerous small basidiomata over an extended period of
time.  Moreover, each basidioma is capable of surviving for a long time and slowly
producing basidiospores throughout the life of the basidioma.