apache2/php/ssmtp

so, im running gentoo/apache2/php/ssmtp, and i set up phpCollab.

well, it won't mail.
im testing the config of the mailserver using the following script:

<? mail("recipient@email.com", "new test", "test message"); ?>

now, when i run this from the commandline ( php /var/www/localhost/htdocs/mail.php), it executes fine and i get the email.

however, when i run it from the browser, i get no email, and the following errors in /var/log/apache2/error_log -
sendmail: No recipients supplied - mail will not be sent

my php.ini mail section:
sendmail_path = "/usr/sbin/sendmail -auvalid@email.com -apvalidpass -f from@email.com"

any suggestions? any help appreciated.