Abundant Amethysts

This blog really isn't intended to be all-about-fungi, but at this time of year it's tempting to focus on them to the exclusion of everything else!

And that's especially the case when the fungi are as attractive as these Amethyst Deceivers. This year there are masses scattered along the path through Buck Wood alongside the canal. They stand out because they live up to their name, as vivid as amethysts, and so much brighter than most other fungi. The only others in this area are some very chewed-up russulas, which would have been attractive had the slugs not found them first.

The Amethyst Deceiver, Laccaria amethystea, is related to The Deceiver, Laccaria laccata, which is very similar but an undistinguished tan colour, which merges in with the autumn leaves. It's probably just as common if you look for it, but well camouflaged and easily trodden-on!

Both of them are edible, though apparently tasteless and not worth eating. Far better left to glow gently at the sides of paths and bring some welcome colour to the woodland.