Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Lepista nuda
A Focus on Species >> Lepista nuda

Lepista nuda (Bull.:Fr.) Cooke

Lepista nuda is commonly found rather late in the season, although not as late as its close relative Lepista sordida. It can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from undisturbed forest to piles of garden waste. Of the two collections illustrated here, 28-09-06/03 was collected in needle litter of Abies balsamea and Thuja occidentalis in a fairly natural setting while 26-10-07/01 was growing at the edge of a home compost pile. It may also occasionally be found in lawns although this is more commonly the habitat of L. sordida.

It is not hard to recognize L. nuda: its violet colours, especially in the young gills, stout stature and pink spore print distinguish it from other late fall mushrooms. Under the microscope it is distinguished by its warty spores. It could be confused with some species of Cortinarius, but would never produce the brown spore print characteristic of that genus.

Photos: D. Malloch