Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Laccaria amethystina

Facts
Common Name: 
Amethyst Deceiver
Scientific Name: 
Laccaria amethystina
Cap Diameter (mm): 
Up to 60mm
Stem Height (mm): 
Up tp 90mm
Stem Diameter (mm): 
4-10mm
Information
Description: 

The strong amethyst colours are very obvious when young, but fade to a duller purplish or pale colour when older or dried out.

Distribution: 

Common to very common and widespread

Habitat: 

Usually found in small troops in both coniferous and deciduous woodland, especially in damp areas.

Cap: 

Initially with an inrolled margin and convex shape, later expands and can be irregularly shaped, often with a shallow, saucer like appearance with upturned edges and slightly striate margin. When damp, the cap surface is a deep purplish-violet to amethyst but when dry the colour is more beige like in colour with a felty surface texture.

Flesh: 

Flesh is thin, elastic and mauve-coloured and has a slightly fruity smell and a mild taste.

Gills: 

Adnate, distant, same colour as the cap and pale as the fungus dries.

Spores: 

White

Stem: 

Hollow and tough while the base of the stem is woolly and bright lilac in colour and the upper part has a mealy, pruinose surface.