Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis


Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis is a mushroom found under conifers, usually pine, growing alone, scattered or gregariously in western North America.

Description

The mushroom is entirely purple. The cap is in width. The gills are purple. The stem is up to long, fibrous, with a whitish mycelium near the base.
The spores are 7.5–10.5 x 7–16 μm, subglobose or broadly elliptical. The spore print is white.

Similar species

This species is similar to L. amethystina but differs by occurring in hardwood forest in eastern North America, rather than coniferous forest; having a smaller sporocarp; and being a lighter purple color. L. bicolor is smaller and less purplish; L. laccata has whitish mycelium at its base. Cortinarius violaceus is darker and has a less fibrillose stipe. Pseudoomphalina cokeri is also similar.

Distribution and habitat

It can be found on the ground near the North American West Coast from October to February.

Uses

The mushroom is edible.