Agaricus porphyrizon
Lilac Mushroom
Status:
Scarce
Meaning 'from the country'.
Cap:
4-9cm
Stem:
5-7cm
Meaning purple.
Description
From what we have found this seems to be a species with conflicting identification features from different sources, so perhaps it is part of an unresolved complex. It is an attractive species, with its lilac scales being subtle, but quite beautiful on close inspection. It is rather scarce but perhaps overlooked. The cap can vary, sometimes being a strong lilac or purple and other times much more brown in colour, but still with a lilac hue.
Smell
Faint but noticable of almonds or anise.
Season
Autumn.
Habitat & Distribution
We have found them in mixed woodland. One author says mainly deciduous woodland, another says mainly confierous, perhaps underlying that this maybe a complex of species.
Edibility
Unknown.
Confusion Species
Spores
4.5-6 x 3-4ยต, smooth and broadly ellipsoid.
Spore Print Colour
Brown.
One of the other Agaricus that has a lilac or purple colour is the Rosy Wood Mushroom (Agaricus dulcidulus), this is generally smaller than the Lilac Mushroom with a more slender stem and the cap usually is stronger coloured at the centre and pale towards the margin.