Native Britain

Plants, flowers and fungi of Great Britain at a glance

Latin name: Laccaria amethystina Common name: Amethyst deceiver

Other names: Common deceiver How to spot it and where to find it: This edible fungus is the most beautiful deep violet when young, fading to pale brown/tan as it ages. Both the gills and the stem are this vibrant colour or a paler lilac. The stem is also purple, with short white hairs. The colour is more intense when it is wet; when dry it can appear greyish. The spoor print of the amethyst deceiver is, perhaps surprisingly, white. It is common throughout the UK and grows in woodland, particularly beech. Interesting facts: The amethyst deceiver has an ectomycorrhizal relationship with beech, which means the fungus forms a sheath around the root tip of the plant followed by a Hartig Net: an inward growth of hyphae (fungal cell growth form) that penetrates the plant root structure. The fungus gains carbon and other essential substances from the tree and in return helps the tree take up water, mineral salts and metabolites. It also protects the tree from parasites. The flavour of the deceiver is mild and it keeps its colour when cooked, so makes an attractive addition to any dish. But beware: its appearance is similar to the lilac fibrecap, which is poisonous.

The mild-flavoured amethyst deceiver keeps its vibrant colour when cooked