Amethyst varnish (Laccaria amethystina)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Hydnangiaceae (Hydnangiaceae)
- Genus: Laccaria (Lakovica)
- Species: Laccaria amethystina (Amethyst lacquer (Lilac lacquer))
or
Lilac lacquer
The mushroom has a small cap, its diameter is 1-5 cm. In young specimens, the cap has a hemispherical shape, and after a certain period of time it straightens out, becomes flat. At first, the hat is very beautiful in color with a deep purple tint, but with age it fades. Amethyst varnish has rather rare and thin plates descending along the stem. They are also purple in color, but in older mushrooms they become whitish and mealy. Spore powder is white. The stem of the mushroom is purple, with longitudinal fibers. The flesh of the cap is also lilac, has a delicate taste and pleasant smell, and is very thin.
Amethyst varnish grows on moist soils in the forest zone, the growth time is summer and autumn.
Very often, in the vicinity of this mushroom, pure mycena reproduces, which is very dangerous for health. It can be distinguished by its characteristic radish smell and white plates. Lilac cobwebs are also similar in appearance to varnish, but they are larger in size. In addition, they have a web-like blanket that connects the leg to the edges of the cap. As the fungus ages, the plates turn brown.
The mushroom is quite suitable for human consumption, while it is usually added to various dishes in combination with other mushrooms.