Amethyst Deceiver (LEAP Fungi)

Amethyst Deceiver

Laccaria amethystina

Summary ⁷

Laccaria amethystina, commonly known as the Amethyst Deceiver is a small brightly colored, edible mushroom, that grows in deciduous as well as coniferous forests. Because its bright amethyst coloration fades with age and weathering, it becomes difficult to identify, hence the common name ‘Deceiver’. This common name is shared with its close relation Laccaria laccata that also fades and weathers. It is found mainly in Northern temperate zones, though it is reported to occur in tropical...

Taxon biology ⁸

Laccaria amethystina - the Amethyst Deceiver - a solitary mushroom occasionally growing as scattered specimens or in small dense clumps or tufts (caespitose), is associated with oak trees (Quercus) and beech trees (Fagus) in temperate deciduous or mixed deciduous coniferous forests of eastern North America and Europe. It grows under species of Quercus in Central America and northern South America.

It can be distinguished from the other North American "purple" Laccaria (L. amethysteo-occidentalis and L. vinaceobrunnea) by its small size and stature, bright grayish purple basidiomata that fade directly to buff, and globose, coarsely echinulate basidiospores.