Laccaria laccata (The Deceiver)

Laccaria laccata is a common but very variable species which is why it is known as ‘The Deceiver’.

Laccaria laccata is the most common representative of the genus, which contains ca. 10 rather similar-looking species in the UK. Microscopic characters, especially spore features, are particularly important in separating species. The genus belongs to the white-spored mushrooms and species usually possess fairly thick, purple/pinkish to flesh-coloured gills. The latter are broadly attached to the stem without running down on it, a feature making them distinguishable from clitocyboid mushrooms. Also, Laccaria species never have a slimy appearance helping distinguishing them from waxy caps.

The ‘Deceiver’, like all Laccaria species, forms ectomycorrhizal symbiotic associations. Although some species show very clear host preferences, the Deceiver can be found growing with a wide range of host plants. It can appear in very high numbers and is sometimes considered as a mycological ‘weed’. It is widely distributed in Europe and North America.

As pointed out earlier, Laccaria laccata can vary greatly in cap size, shape and colour and can be difficult to identify. However, the hollow somewhat fibrous stem and broad gills are helpful characters. The caps usually appear small, flat and slightly depressed with a scurfy centre, varying in size between 15-60 mm. The colour of the cap is often described as dull, reddish buff to flesh-coloured when wet and becoming dull yellowish when it dries out. The stipe dimensions can be extremely variable, often very long and thin when growing in long grass. It is concolorous with the cap and often bent or twisted. The broad gills are widely spaced, concolorous as the cap or slightly brighter and can show a dusting of white spores in more mature fruit bodies.

The Deceiver is an edible species which is rarely infested by maggots and due to its high abundance can be quickly gathered. However, it is lacking flavour and is often used in soups, stews or fried with some strongly flavoured mushrooms. However, the fact that Laccaria laccata is highly variable and that there exist many small, brown-capped, white-spored mushrooms makes it often difficult for beginners to identify it. Common lookalikes are the edible Laccaria amethystea, the inedible Collybia and Mycena species and the poisonous Mycena pura and Inocybe geophylla var lilacina species.

Season:

The fruiting season of Laccaria laccata is from summer to late autumn, with a peak in August and September.

Habitat:

Often found in troops growing on damp soil.

Distribution:

The species is known to be widespread and common throughout Scotland and the north temperate zones.

Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.

Photos by Peggy Ehrlich

By Peggy Ehrlich and Andy Taylor

June 2016

Laccaria laccata

Laccaria amethystea

Mycena pura

Distribution map of Laccaria laccata

The National Biodiversity Network Gateway records from FRDBI and HBRG datasets are shown on the above map (see terms and conditions at http://data.nbn.org.uk). Data providers and the NBN Trust bear no responsibility for any further analysis or interpretation of the information in the map.