A message with beautiful pictures from photographer Simon Knight:
Hi,
Here are some pictures, taken in the park, of what I think are some quite striking mushrooms. The species is Laccaria amethystina, also known as Amethyst Deceiver. It’s an edible species, not that I’d ever be brave enough to try it!
Simon
The name deceiver seems strangely inappropriate; Wikipedia suggests that it is because of this edible species’ similarity to the highly toxic lilac fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla). But we are not sure that a fungus that turns out to be harmless instead of deadly poisonous has deceived you; unless, of course, deadly poison was what you were looking for in the first place.
As with all fungi, our advice is don’t mess with it unless you have the advice of an expert.
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 