Continuing my trek of photographing mushrooms in the UK, next up we have an Amethyst Deceiver, scientifically known as Laccaria Amethystina. Laccaria comes from the Persian word meaning "Painted." Amethystina on the other hand translates to "Amethyst Coloured." This mushroom is typically found in northern temperate locations; though they have been reported within tropical centres & South America.
Cap: Convex to eventual flat cap in maturity. Young caps especially in wet weather can appear deep purple; however in dry white are very pale to white.
Gills: Interspersed with shorter gills; very broad & irregular. As with the cap, start off life off deep purple/lilac to an eventual paler appearance as the cap fades. This is because as the (white) spores continue to develop desaturates the gills. This is a fantastic example why we should never take the colour of the gills as is as to indicate a species of even edibility!
Spores/Print: White in colour. Close to spherical in shape . 8–11µm in diameter, covered in spines & up to 1.5um tall; hyaline.
Stipe: Tough & fibrous which is evident in the juxtaposed colours of the stipe to hairs. Resembles similarities to the cap & gills in aging in relation to colours. The base of the stem fuses to leaf litter: see location.
Flesh: Purple; can be also be white with profuse purple.
Skirt: Absent - /N/A
Size/Height: Cap: 1-6cm diameter/ 5-10cm stem height.
Season: July - November
Habitat: Mixed woodland, abundantly under beech, but also particularly oak. Very noticeable among mossy leafy foliage.
Edible: Yes! Taste/Odour: Nuttiness/mushroomy mild taste & retains colour when cooked. As stems are quite tough, caps are collectable though plentiful as small. Odour: Non distinct
Confusion Species: Common Deceiver: Tanned cap in younger age, however becomes very pale much like the Amethyst in once matured. Young specimens are much easier to tell apart.
Mycena Pura: Violet coloured bonnet. Pale gills & no fibrous stipe. Can be difficult to distinguish sometimes in stage of life in comparison to the Amethyst Deceiver. See my posts on Bonnets photographed so far to see functions of a Mycena & it's linked properties of a saprotrophic to a extomycorrhizal fungi for example & appearances particularly the caps (conical/bell) & umbo.
Etymology:
Ecological Role: Prodominantly an extomycorrhizal relationship with Beech trees, but can also form mycorrhizal associations with other broadleaved but also coniferous.
Notes:
Pictures taken: 23/10/2020
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