Cap
|
2 to 7 cm in diameter, the caps are initially convex and become almost
flat-topped at maturity.
During wet weather young caps of Laccaria laccata are deep tan
or reddish-brown (sometimes as the specimen seen here but often much more
orange). |
| |
During dry spells the caps and stems become much
paler buff and eventually almost white. Very old specimens sometimes become
funnel-shaped and very distorted. |
Gills
|
The broad, deep gills are widely spaced and
interspersed with shorter gills. Long before the cap fades to buff, the
tan gills begin losing their colour. This is because they get covered in
spores and - perhaps surprisingly
when you see how dark the young gills are - the spores of this mushroom
are white. |
Stipe
|
6 to 10 mm in diameter and 5 to 10 cm tall,
the tough, fibrous stems are increasingly more 'hairy' towards the base. |
Spore print |
White. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
Among leaf litter in all kinds of mixed woodland
and on heaths. |
Season |
June to November. |
Occurrence |
Very common. |
Similar species |
- Laccaria amethystea is a violet coloured member of the same
genus; once it has dried out it becomes pale buff and virtually
indistinguishable from Laccaria laccata.
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