Mycena pura

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Mycena . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

One of the most beautiful species of Mycena, this widely distributed mushroom is found under hardwoods and conifers across North America. Unlike most members of the genus, Mycena pura tends to grow on the ground in forest litter, rather than in clusters on decaying wood. Other distinguishing features include its radishlike taste and odor, and the tendency of the cap to be convex or broadly bell-shaped (before flattening), rather than conical.

The colors of this species are extremely variable. When young and fresh, there is almost always lilac or purple involved--but as the mushroom matures other hues may predominate, depending on conditions. Nearly white or yellowish specimens are encountered, as well as pinkish brown and even reddish specimens. Alexander Smith, who usually delights in meticulously recording varieties of species, gives up entirely in his 1947 Mycena monograph; in a rare "lump" (as opposed to a "split"), he writes that "although one quickly learns to recognize the species, he soon gives up trying to distinguish any subdivisions of it" (189).

Many authors suspect that Mycena pura is toxic, containing muscarine. I do not recommend it for the table.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic on forest debris under hardwoods and conifers; growing alone, scattered, or gregariously; terrestrial; widely distributed; spring, summer and fall (also in winter in California).

Cap: 2-5 cm; convex or bell-shaped, becoming flattened; the margin lined; smooth; moist or dry; typically lilac to purple when young, but often fading or developing other shades (including whitish, yellowish, pinkish brown or reddish).

Gills: Attached to the stem; close or nearly distant; purplish lilac or grayish to whitish; edges whitish.

Stem: 4-10 cm long; 2-6 mm thick; equal; hollow; smooth or with tiny hairs; whitish or colored like the cap.

Flesh: Insubstantial.

Taste: Radishlike; odor radishlike.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 6-9 x 3-3.5 µ; elliptical to nearly cylindrical; amyloid; cystidia rare or abundant, 40-70 x 10-20 µ; variously shaped.

REFERENCES: (Fries, 1821) Quélet, 1872. (Kauffman, 1918; Smith, 1947; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1979; Arora, 1986; States, 1990; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Evenson, 1997; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003.) Herb. Kuo 08170306, 10300401, 11050402.

Further Online Information:

Mycena pura in Smith, 1947
Mycena pura at MykoWeb
Mycena pura at Fungi of Poland

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2004, November). Mycena pura. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/mycena_pura.html