Gymnopilus purpuratus

Description:

Stalked mushrooms; the largest having a cap about 50mm wide. The cap was a beautiful deep reddish-purple (beetroot) colour which was cracked and split to reveal white flesh. The thinner coloured layer of the cap peeled to scales towards the margin. The margin was rolled slightly inwards. Gills were whiter in younger mushrooms and slighty yellow in more mature caps (pic #5). The stipe was slightly rough with what looked like the remnants of the partial veil high up on the stipe.The region appeared stained brown- ?spores. Gills were crowded and both long and short.

Habitat:

Spotted growing on a pine tree log. A few of them were seen growing on this rather dried up log.

Notes:

A very attractive fungus. My thanks to myxomop for identifying this fungus for me.