Fauna
Fungus

Amethyst Deceiver

Laccaria amethystina

Also known as Amethyst Laccaria

Amethyst deceivers stand out on the forest floor with their vibrant violet to magenta fruiting bodies, which fade to a dull buff or grayish-brown as they dry out. They form crucial mycorrhizal partnerships with trees such as beech and oak, drawing nutrients from soil while aiding tree health. Their widely spaced, deep purple gills and white spore print help separate them from other purple woodland fungi.

FungusMycorrhizalWoodland
Amethyst Deceiver reference1 / 7
(c) Christian Berg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christian Berg · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMycorrhizal partner (symbiotic with broadleaf and coniferous trees)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus gnat larvae
  • Woodland rodents
ThreatsDeforestation and atmospheric pollution affecting soil chemistry
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous woodlands, leaf litter, moist forest soils
Life spanFruiting body lasts 1–2 weeks; underground mycelium lives indefinitely
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyHydnangiaceae
  3. GenusLaccaria
  4. SpeciesLaccaria amethystina
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Check Gill Color: Look for thick, widely spaced, deep purple gills that retain color longer than the cap.
  • Observe Weather Fading: Note how older or dry specimens turn pale pinkish-buff, making identification trickier.
  • Spore Print: Place the cap on dark paper overnight to reveal its characteristic white spore print.
Related species
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