Scurfy Deceiver

Description:

It is a highly variable mushroom (hence “deceiver”), and can look quite washed out, colorless and drab, but when younger it often assumes red, pinkish brown, and orange tones. The species is often considered by mushroom collectors to be a “mushroom weed” because of its abundance and plain stature.it is a white-spored species of small edible mushroom found throughout North America and Europe.

Habitat:

fruitbody of Laccaria proxima is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Betula --Laccaria laccata (proxima) is found in scattered troops in wooded areas, and on heathland often in poor soil. It is very common in all of the northern temperate zones, but tends to favor cool weather. L. proxima is mycorrhizal with several types of trees, including members of the Pinaceae (Pines), Fagaceae (Beech), and Betulaceae (Birch). It is found across Europe and North America, south into Mexico and Costa Rica. Laccaria species are mycorrhizal, and thought by some to be pioneer species

Notes:

Formerly considered a subspecies by French mycologist René Maire, the close deceiver (Laccaria proxima) is a European relative with a fine scaly cap and found in wetter habitats.Microscopically, its spores are narrower and more oval-shaped. --In California, what was thought to be L. laccata under eucalyptus has turned out to be the Australian species Laccaria fraterna