Amethyst Deceiver

Laccaria amethystina

Family: Hydnangiaceae

Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina)
Photo:Jörg Hempel(CC BY-SA 3.0 de)View original source →

Overview

Vivid violet-purple mushroom of beech and oak leaf litter across Europe, eastern North America, and Japan. Edible (cap only — discard the tough stem). Fades when wet so identification rests on the deep colour, distant gills, and white spores. Accumulates arsenic; eat only occasionally.

Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
mycorrhizal

Host trees & substrate

  • Local forest substrate

Key identification features

  • Vivid purple-violet all over when fresh
  • Distant thick violet gills
  • White spore print
  • Beech / oak litter

See live fruiting predictions for Amethyst Deceiver on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.

Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.