The Hydnangiaceae are a family of fungi in the mushroom order Agaricales. Widespread in temperate and tropical regions throughout the world, the family contains about 30 species in four genera. Species in the Hydnangiaceae form ectomycorrhizal relationships with various species of trees in both coniferous and deciduous forests.
4 genera and 30 species.
They may have fruit bodies with stipes and caps (pileate-stipiate), or gasteroid (with internal spore production, like puffballs). When pileate, the cap is smooth to scaly, sometimes striate, typically orange-brown or violet. The gills are widely spaced, thick, and waxy. In gasteroid forms, fruit body shape is irregular, with thin walls. Also, the peridium (the outer layer of the spore-bearing organ) is sometimes short-lasting (evanescent). Columella (the central, sterile part of the sporangium) may be absent or present, the hymenia are not gelatinized, and are formed in locules. Basidia are club-shaped (clavate), with two or four sterigmata, sometimes with accompanying cheilocystidia (cystidia on the edges of gills).
Hydnangiaceae have a widespread distribution in both temperate and tropical zones.
Hydnangiaceae species are ectomycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with various plant species, and have an important role in forest ecosystems.
Of the many brightly coloured mushrooms found in the UK, the Amethyst Deceiver is unusual in that it keeps it’s bright colour when cooked. Its flavour isn’t much to shout about, but its colour makes it a good addition to a mushroom dish.
The colour, size and shape of this common mushroom vary greatly due to age, weather and location; so whilst you’ll see this mushroom a lot, it can be hard to positively identify.
