Deceiver
Laccaria laccata
Type: Gilled mushroom
Physical Characteristics
Cap: 1-6 cm wide, convex to flat, often with a central depression, color varies from reddish-brown to orange-brown or buff, fading to buff or tan when dry. Gills: Widely spaced, adnate to decurrent, thick, pinkish to reddish. Stem: 3-10 cm long, 3-10 mm thick, central, fibrous, same color as cap or paler, often with fine striations. Spore print: White. Flesh: Thin, tough, same color as the cap.
Habitat & Growing Conditions
Widely distributed, growing solitarily or in groups on soil in woodlands, particularly under conifers and deciduous trees. It is a mycorrhizal species.
Season & Fruiting Time
Summer to late autumn, often after rain.
Similar Looking Species
Other Laccaria species, such as Laccaria amethystina (Amethyst Deceiver), which has a violet cap and gills. Galerina species can look superficially similar but typically have a brown spore print and a ring on the stem.
Ecological Role
Mycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with tree roots to facilitate nutrient and water exchange between the fungus and the host plant.
Safety reminder
AI mushroom identification is a best-effort estimate and can be wrong. Never use it to decide whether a mushroom is safe to handle or eat — always confirm with a qualified mycologist before any consumption.
Identified on: 12/5/2025
Mode: Standard