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Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis [ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Hydnangiaceae > Laccaria . . . ] by Michael Kuo Look for this beautiful mushroom under conifers, west of the Rocky Mountains (for a similar species east of the Rockies, see Laccaria amethystina). When young, Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis is easily recognized by its deep purple cap, thick purple gills, and its long, shaggy to grooved stem. It has a white spore print, which helps to separate it from some Cortinarius species that are superficially similar. Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis is edible, but apparently not particularly good--and it is not a mushroom that novice mushroom hunters should collect for the table, since it bears a resemblance to poisonous Cortinarius species. A spore print is a must in this case! Description: Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers; growing alone, scattered or gregariously; common; usually appearing in colder weather; west of the Rocky Mountains. Cap: 1-7 cm; broadly convex, becoming nearly flat; often with a central depression; the margin even or inrolled, not lined or slightly lined when wet; nearly smooth or finely hairy-scaly; deep purple, soon fading to brown or buff. Gills: Attached to the stem; distant or nearly so; thick; sometimes appearing waxy; dark purple, fading to lilac. Stem: 1.5-12 cm long; .5-1.5 cm thick; equal or slightly swollen at the base; strongly grooved; often coarsely hairy or scaly; purplish or paler; with purple to lilac basal mycelium. Flesh: Thin. Taste: Mild; odor mild. Spore Print: White. Microscopic Features: Spores 7.5-10.5 x 7-9 µ; broadly elliptical; ornamented with spines .5-1.5 µ long and about 1 µ wide at their bases. Basidia 4-spored. Cheilocystidia present. REFERENCES: Mueller, 1984. (Arora, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Mueller, 1997.) Herb. Kuo 01170501. This mushroom previously went under the name Laccaria amethystina, but was separated on the basis of its broadly elliptical, rather than round, spores. Its range is limited to the west (under conifers), while Laccaria amethystina fruits east of the Rocky Mountains in deciduous woods. Further Online Information: Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis at Mueller's Laccaria |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2002, August). Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/laccaria_amethysteo-occidentalis.html |