Deer Mushroom
Pluteus cervinus
Type: gilled mushroom
Physical Characteristics
Cap: 5-15 cm wide, conical to convex, then flattening with a broad umbo; color varies from grayish-brown to dark brown, often with radiating dark fibrils. Gills: Free from the stem, crowded, initially white, becoming pinkish with age due to spore development. Stem: 5-15 cm long, 0.5-2 cm thick, cylindrical, often slightly thicker at the base, whitish to grayish-brown, often fibrillose, no ring. Spore print: Pinkish-brown.
Habitat & Growing Conditions
Typically found growing singly or in small groups on decaying wood (logs, stumps, wood chips), often preferring deciduous trees but also found on conifers. It is a saprophytic species.
Season & Fruiting Time
Spring through autumn, sometimes into early winter in milder climates.
Similar Looking Species
Some Inocybe species can look superficially similar but have different gill attachment and spore print color (often dingy brown). Entoloma species can also have pinkish gills but usually have adnate or sinuate gills and a different cap texture.
Ecological Role
Saprophytic, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of dead wood, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
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: 10/10/2025
Mode: Standard