Entoloma nigroviolaceum

[Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Entolomataceae > Entoloma . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

There are several species of small, dusky purple mushrooms with pink spore prints in North America. They belong in the genus Leptonia, or in subgenus Leptonia of the genus Entoloma, depending on which mycologist you ask. Since the current Dictionary of the Fungi entry for Leptonia is "= Entoloma," I will follow Machiel Noordeloos and others who treat Entoloma as a large and diverse genus.

Entoloma nigroviolaceum is found in grassy or open areas, and is recognized by its small size, its grayish purple cap and stem, and its non-lined cap margin. The cap is finely scaly, especially over the center, and is more or less flat by maturity. The gills are white at first, later turning pinkish as the spores mature. The purplish stem has a white apex, and white basal mycelium. Since there are several similar mushrooms, microscopic examination is probably required to confirm identification.

Edibility is unknown for Entoloma nigroviolaceum, and I do not recommend eating any species of Entoloma.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic; growing alone, scattered, or in small clumps under hardwoods or conifers, in grassy areas and open woods; summer and fall in eastern North America, fall and winter on the West Coast.

Cap: 1-3 cm; convex to broadly bell-shaped at first, becoming planoconvex or flat, often with a central depression; finely scaly over the center, with tiny fibers radiating outward; dry; the margin not lined; grayish purple.

Gills: Attached to the stem; close or almost distant; white at first, eventually pinkish; edges colored like the faces.

Stem: 3-8 cm long; 2-5 mm thick; equal or tapering slightly to apex; usually becoming hollow; smooth or finely scaly; dry; colored like the cap overall, with a white apex; with white mycelium at the base.

Flesh: Thin; fragile; pale purplish in the cap.

Spore Print: Pink.

Microscopic Features: Spores 9.5-13 x 6-8.5 µ; angular-elliptical, with 5-7 sides. Cystidia absent.

REFERENCES: (Orton, 1960) Hesler, 1967. (Hesler, 1967; Arora, 1986; Noordeloos, 1988.) Herb. Kuo 06180401.

Leptonia nigroviolacea is a synonym.

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Kuo, M. (2004, July). Entoloma nigroviolaceum. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/entoloma_nigroviolaceum.html