Laccaria amethystina

Laccaria amethystina
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hydnangiaceae
Genus: Laccaria
Species:
L. amethystina
Binomial name
Laccaria amethystina
Synonyms
Laccaria laccata var. amethystina (Cooke) Rea
Laccaria hudsonii Pázmány (1994)
Laccaria amethystina
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex or depressed
Hymenium is adnate or decurrent
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is edible

Laccaria amethystina, commonly known as the amethyst deceiver, or amethyst laccaria, is a small brightly colored mushroom. 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 L. laccata that also fades and weathers. Recently, some of the other species in the genus have been given the common name of "deceiver".

It is found mainly in Northern temperate zones, in deciduous and coniferous forests, though it is reported to occur in tropical Central and South America as well. The mushroom is edible, but can absorb arsenic from the soil.