Different Species of
Laccaria mushroom
MIHIN AMPA
2020001092
Laccaria is a genus around 75 species of fungus found in both temperate and tropical
regions of the world.
Species of Laccaria have been reported to form ectomycorrhizal (ECM)
associations with numerous tree species
Taxonomical Classification
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Phylum: Basidiomycota
• Class: Agaricomycetes
• Order: Agaricales
• Family: Hydnangiaceae
• Genus: Laccaria
General Description
• Genus Laccaria are commonly called "deceivers" because they can fade and change colour over time, making
them difficult to identify.
• Gills- thick and a little waxy, and are usually purple, pinkish, or (Caucasian) flesh-colored.
• Cap -colors range from whitish to, orangish brown or reddish brown--while a few species are purple.
• Spores- white and ornamented in most species. Laccarias are never slimy
• Edibility: considered edible and are not known to be toxic. However, limited culinary use
• Laccarias are mycorrhizal, forming symbiotic partnerships with trees.
• There is evidence that at least some species of Laccaria may serve as pioneers in disturbed ground or de-
forested areas that have recently begun the long road of ecological succession that leads, eventually, to a
"mature" ecosystem.
Different species of Laccaria alongwith characteristics
1.Deceiver – Laccaria laccata
The cap colour changes with age and weather, and this characteristic is the origin of the common name.
ectomycorrhizal with various broadleaf and coniferous trees
Laccaria translates to 'lacquer' (shiny paint)
Cap-2 to 7cm in diameter initially convex and flat-topped at maturity.
During wet weather young caps of a Deceiver are deep tan or reddish-brown and paler during dry spells
Gills
The broad, deep gills widely spaced and interspersed with shorter gills.
Stem
6 to 10mm in diameter and 5 to 10cm tall, the tough, fibrous stems more 'hairy' towards the base.
Spores
Globose, with spines
2.Amethyst Deceiver- Laccaria amethystina
Easily recognizable
Cap-convex, flattopped at maturity. deep purple colour, paler
when dry
Gills-broad, deep gills, widely spaced and interspersed with
shorter gills
Spores- white, spherical, spiny Not considered a choice edible
Edible, but can absorb arsenic from the soil
3.Bicoloured Deceiver- Laccaria bicolor
Being of two colours
Cap-convex ,flat-topped at maturity wet weather-deep tan or
reddish brown dry spells -paler buff almost white
Gills-deep, broad pinkish-lilac (when young) gills
Stem- lilac coloured base
Spores Ellipsoidal, ornamented with spines
Edible but not choice
4. Scurfy Deceiver- Laccaria proxima
Cap -convex and become flat-topped at maturity, surface
is scurfy (scaly) wet weather-deep tan or reddish brown
dry spells -paler buff almost white
Gills -deep, broad pinkish-lilac (when young) gills
Spores- Ellipsoidal, ornamented with spines
Edibility -Unknown; an unpleasant taste
5.Twisted Deceiver- Laccaria tortilis
tortilis means contorted (twisting).
Cap- pinkish brown caps, the margins are irregularly
wavy with striations reaching the centre paler pink when
they dry
Gills- Pinkish, a little paler than the cap
Stem-rarely more than 1 to 2cm tall, sometimes
caespitose
Spore-Globose,
6. Gumtree Deceiver- Laccaria fraterna
fraterna means 'brotherly, or pertaining to a brother’
Redder cap and association with eucalyptus
Cap- smooth or very finely hairy, Red-brown, fading to orange-buff, initial, later flat.
Gills-pinkishorange (when young) gills
Spore-Ellipsoidal with spines
Odour/tastefaintly earthy but not distinctive; taste mild but unpleasant
7. Purple Laccaria- Laccaria ochropupuea
Cap- broadly convex, central depression, margin even or
inrolled, not lined, nearly smooth or finely hairy-scaly; light
lilac brown, fading to buff or nearly white.
Gills- thick, waxy, dark purple, in age sometimes dusted with
white from spores.
Stem- thick, equal or swollen at the base, coarsely hairy or
scaly
Spores-sub globose to globose, ornamented with spines
8 Coastal Laccaria- Laccaria maritima
Cap-convex to flat, bright, reddish-orange to orange colour, fading to
yellowish or brownish hues as it matures, surface smooth or slightly
wrinkled.
Gills- closely spaced, pale, ranging from white to light pink or yellowish
Stem-cylindrical, have a slightly fibrous texture
Mild and indistinct smell and taste.
9. Mountain Laccaria - Laccaria montana
Cap-3-8 cm in diameter, convex to broadly convex becomes flat with age,
color varies from pale pink to reddish-brown, surface smooth or fine
wrinkles. somewhat scaly texture.
Gills- closely spaced, white to pale pink and turn brownish when matures.
Stem-cylindrical, similar color to the cap, ranging from pale to reddish
brown, fibrous or finely scaly.
Smell and Taste mild or neutral smell and taste
Edibility- edible, not used in cooking due to its bland flavour
10.Sandy Laccaria -Laccaria trullisata
Cap-convex, becoming flat and sometimes depressed,
finely hairy to finely scaly or roughened; purplish when
young but soon reddish brown, brownish, or buff.
Gills-Attached to the stem; close or nearly distant; dark
purple
Stem-enlarged base; hairy and longitudinally lined,
surface splitting near the apex; colored like the cap, often
nearly entirely submerged in the sand
Odor and Taste -Not distinctive
REFERENCES
• Dictionary of the Fungi; Paul M. Kirk, Paul F. Cannon, David W. Minter and J. A. Stalpers;
CABI, 2008
• Vellinga, E. (1995). Laccaria. In Bas, C., Th. W. Kuyper, M. E. Noordeloos & E. C.
Vellinga. Flora Agaricina Neerlandica. Volume 3. Rotterdam: A. A. Balkema. 96-103.
• Fries, N. & G. M. Mueller (1984). Incompatibility systems, cultural features and species
circumscriptions in the ectomycorrhizal genus Laccaria (Agaricales). Mycologia 76: 633–
642.
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/laccaria
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