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the Amethyst Deceiver


the Amethyst Deceiver
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1198 W: 2 N: 4517] (13672)
Genre: Fungi
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-11
Categories: Fungi
Camera: Nikon D300
Exposure: f/16, 1/2 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-05 22:17
Viewed: 567
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Today a fungi with an unusual colour for an fungi.
In the netherlands a n common fungi and mostly found by Beech.
Thanks for the critiques and I hope you like this one also.

Latin name - Laccaria amethystea

Laccaria amethystea is in every respect very similar to Laccaria laccata, the Deceiver, except that its overall colour is a deep violet when wet and pale grey when dry. Amethyst deceiver caps are edible, although it takes rather a lot of them to make a good meal. The stems are tough and inedible.

When they grow among moss, the caps of this beautiful mushroom stand out and are very easy to find. More often they grow among dark damp leaf litter and sometimes go unnoticed until the caps begin turning pale.
At one time this mushroom was considered merely as a variety of the Deceiver (Laccaria laccata), a species of the same general size and form but very variable in colour.

Cap
2 to 7 cm in diameter, the caps are initially convex and become almost flat-topped at maturity.

During wet weather young caps of Laccaria amethystea are deep purple (as is the specimen seen here alongside the tan coloured common Deceiver, Laccaria laccata).

During dry spells the caps and stems become much paler and eventually almost white. The specimen seen here is not yet completely dry; its cap is becoming paler from the centre.

Eventually, Amethyst Deceivers become pale buff, as do the common Deceivers. This makes identification of old specimens even more difficult.


Gills
The broad, deep gills are widely spaced and interspersed with shorter gills. Long before the cap fades to buff, the gills begin losing their colour. This is because, perhaps surprisingly when you see how vivid the young gills are, the spores of this mushroom are white.
If ever there is just one good example of why we should not take gill colour as a guide to spore colour, this surely is it!

Stipe
5 to 10 mm in diameter and 5 to 10 cm tall, the tough, fibrous stems are increasingly more 'hairy' towards the base.
Deep purple at first, but becoming paler as the caps fade, the stems of this woodland species are usually bent and often radially twisted. They are very tough and fibrous.

Spore print White.
Odour/taste Not distinctive.
Habitat Among leaf litter in all kinds of woodland but particularly plentiful under beech trees.
Season June to November.
Occurrence Very common.
Similar species Mycena pura is a violet coloured bell cap, but it has pale gills and the stem is not fibrous.
boreocypriensis, Argus, siggi, uleko, maurydv, jaycee, nglen, Nic-n-Jen_Inc, bobcat08, Taralee, jconceicao has marked this note useful
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To bobcat08: BedanktGert-Paassen 1 12-29 09:06
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Critiques [Translate]

Good Mornin Big Brother Gert,
A realy unusual mushroom in both colour and shape-its looks lke brain hemisphers:). i have never seen such mushroom species before. Thanks for sharing this. THanks to you i am learnin... excellent macro in all around..
Have a nice Saturday.

Bayram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2008-12-05 23:22]

Hello Gert,
A great portrait of this species against the fallen beech leaves. I believe the Amethyst deceiver is quite common in Sweden. The lighting, POV sharpness and composition all combine to make this a superb image.
TFS,
Kind regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1365 W: 56 N: 4667] (16040)
  • [2008-12-05 23:24]

Hello Gert,
Another very good shot ,
The details and colours are fantastic, and very sharp.
Perfect exposure and great low POV.
Thanks for posting.
Regards Siggi

Another interesting European fungi Gert.
Have you looked at Felipe (extramundi)'s photos.
He has many good fungi from your part of the world.
This is another good clear shot with good colour and composition.
Well done.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2983 W: 162 N: 911] (2687)
  • [2008-12-05 23:46]

Hello Gert,
This is an interesting and very beautiful shape of this Fungus that you've captured very nicely here among the Beech leaves. Excellent sharp details of the gills and beautiful natural colours. A very attractive composition too.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Buena luz, encuadre y combinación de colores. Las texturas en general muy bien captadas. No conocía esta bella y curiosa especie de hongo.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

amazing one, great sharp pic, greetings Ori

Ciao Gert,
un'altra meravigliosa immagine, curata in ogni minimo particolare dalla bellissima ambientazione allo stupendo taglio compositivo, eccellente definizione, magnifiche le tonalità dei colori.
TFS.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2377 W: 94 N: 5465] (17432)
  • [2008-12-06 5:46]

Hallo Gert,
Hoe is het mogelijk dat zo iets kan groeien? Nooit gezien. Schitterende kleuren heeft hij.
Jij hebt er weer een prachtige foto van gemaakt in een schitterende compositie, zoals gewoonlijk. Uitstekende scherpte en weer een mooi laag standpunt.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-12-06 8:51]

Hi Gert,

That is an unusual color for a fungus! When I saw the thumbnail I wasn't sure what the picture would be. I like the fold and pleats, the shape and the texture of this one. Looks wonderful on the fallen leaves.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2008-12-06 9:18]

Hi Gert. As you say in your interesting notes this one has an unusual colour to it. Your low POV shows all the detail in the fungi so well. Stands out well from the brown dried leaves. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hello Gert,
What a unique color and shape. Very nicely composed, offset with the leaves. You've done a great job showing the crisp, sharp and low POV of the shot. Nicely noted.
TFS,
;-)

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1338 W: 0 N: 2558] (9021)
  • [2008-12-06 16:53]

Hi Gert,
really excellent sharpness and clarity if this
fungi. Well contrasted with the natural colours of leaves.
Beautifully composed to highlight its beauty.

Regards,
Foozi

Hallo Gert,

Even in het Drenthearchief gerommeld en daar kwam ik deze tegen.Kennelijk over het hoofd gezien (kan haast niet) maar toch. Een bijzondere paddestoel heb je hier vereeuwigd. Tenminste in mijn ogen. ik heb deze nog nooit gezien. Dus een hele ervaring rijker. Een fijne lage POV. Zeer goede DOF (zoals altijd)Mooie zachte kleuren. En vlijmscherp. Kortom een beeldschone foto.

Fijn uiteinde en tot TFS BOB

The composition with the fungi nestling in the autumn leaves is interesting, the sharpness is very good. Your note is useful.

Hello Gert,

Fantastic capture of this unusual mushroom.
Wonderful colour with great definition.
Light,focus and composition are splendid.
Good notes.

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