Amethyst Deceiver

Description:

The cap is 1–6 cm in diameter, and is initially convex, later flattening, and often with a central depression (navel). When moist it is a deep purplish lilac, which fades upon drying out. It is sometimes slightly scurfy at the center,[1] and has pale striations at the margin.[2] Electronmicroscopic image of spores of Laccaria amethystina The stem is the same colour as the cap, and has whitish fibrils at the base, which become mealy at the top.

Habitat:

Laccaria amethystina, commonly known as the Amethyst Deceiver is a small brightly colored, edible mushroom, that grows in deciduous as well as coniferous forests. 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 Laccaria laccata that also fades and weathers. It is found mainly in Northern temperate zones, though it is reported to occur in tropical Central and South America as well. Recently, some of the other species in the genus have been given the common name of "deceiver

Notes:

Edibility As with other members of the genus Laccaria, this species is edible, though generally not considered a choice edible.[citation needed] While not inherently toxic, in soils that are polluted with arsenic, it can bioaccumulate a high concentration of that compound. spotted in a mix forest of oaks,eucalypthus and pine trees near my house