Laccaria proxima

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Hydnangiaceae > Laccaria . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

Separating this species from the very similar Laccaria laccata requires a microscope; both species are variable enough in their macrofeatures that the differences visible to the naked eye are not definitive. In general, Laccaria proxima is a slightly more robust species, has a somewhat darker cap with a rougher texture, and never has a lined cap margin. Laccaria laccata, however, can be more robust than it typically is, can be darker than it should be, and often sports a somewhat roughened cap with a non-lined margin. While Laccaria proxima grows only under pines, Laccaria laccata grows just about anywhere, including pine forests.

So, if your mushrooms were not growing under pines, they are not Laccaria proxima . . . but if they were, you will need to look at the spores under a microscope. The spores of Laccaria laccata are round (or nearly so), and have fairly prominent spines; the spores of Laccaria proxima are elliptical in outline, and have smaller, less prominent spines.

Laccaria proxima is probably edible, though I have no definitive information on it specifically. I do not recommend it.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with pines (Pinus species; the illustrated mushrooms were found under Red Pine); growing scattered or gregariously; widely distributed.

Cap: 1.5-7 cm; convex, becoming flat and sometimes uplifted; the margin inrolled at first, later straight and not lined; at first finely roughened, later more prominently roughened or scaly; reddish brown to orange-brown.

Gills: Attached to the stem; distant or nearly distant; pinkish flesh color.

Stem: 2.5-7 cm long; up to 1 cm thick; equal or with an enlarged base; finely or prominently hairy and fibrous-shaggy; colored like the cap (sometimes with a darker base); with white basal mycelium.

Flesh: Thin; colored like the cap or paler.

Taste: Not distinctive; odor not distinctive.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 8-11 x 7-9 µ; elliptical; ornamented, with spines mostly .5-1 µ long. Basidia 4-spored.

REFERENCES: (Boudier) Patouillard, 1887. (Phillips, 1991/2005; Mueller, 1997.) Herb. Kuo 09280305.

Further Online Information:

Laccaria proxima at Mueller's Laccaria
Laccaria proxima at Roger's Mushrooms
Laccaria proxima at Fungi of Poland

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2003, October). Laccaria proxima. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/laccaria_proxima.html