About this fungus
Bicoloured Deceiver is a fungus in the Hydnangiaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A small orange-brown to pinkish-brown deceiver whose fresh gills and stem base show lilac or violet tones.
What to check
The most useful field mark is lilac felted mycelium around the base of a fresh stem, supported by broad, widely spaced light-violet gills and a white spore print. The cap is dry and finely roughened. There is no ring or volva.
Variation
The cap fades markedly as it dries, and the violet basal mycelium can turn white within a short time. Older specimens can therefore lose both parts of the bicoloured appearance.
Lookalikes
Laccaria laccata usually lacks violet basal mycelium, but once that colour fades the two can be extremely difficult to separate. L. amethystina is more uniformly violet when fresh. Regional Laccaria species can share these characters, and microscopy may be needed.
Habitat and range
Mycorrhizal in conifer, birch and mixed woodland, often among moss. Host emphasis varies by region, and North American accounts particularly associate it with conifers.
Food safety
Edible.
Use this profile to learn what to examine and compare, not as proof that a mushroom is safe to eat. Check the whole specimen and every important lookalike before reaching an identification.
Photographs
Dick Culbert / CC BY 2.0Species to compare
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