About this fungus
Blackedged Shield is a fungus in the Pluteaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A dark, radially fibrous shield on conifer wood, with striking black-edged gills that turn pink across their faces.
What to check
Confirm free gills, a pink spore deposit, persistent dark gill edges, no ring or volva and growth from conifer wood. Microscopy can verify horned pleurocystidia.
Variation
Caps range from dark brown to nearly black and may become finely scaly at the centre. Gills begin white and become pink as spores mature while the edge stays dark.
Lookalikes
Pluteus cervinus usually has paler gill edges and is common on broadleaf wood. Other dark Pluteus species need microscopic separation.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic on decaying conifer wood, including logs, stumps and old softwood structures, in northern temperate regions.
Food safety
Inedible.