Species details

Black-edged shield

Pluteus atromarginatus

Traditionally edible
Black-edged shield – Pluteus atromarginatus

Photo: Henk Monster · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A dark-brown shield mushroom on conifer wood with distinctly black-brown edges on otherwise pale gills.

Identification features

Cap about 4–10 cm wide, dark brown to almost black-brown and radially fibrous. Gills are free, pale at first then pink, while the edges remain dark brown.

Identification checklist

Check the dark-brown fibrous cap, growth on conifer wood and especially the black-brown edges of the free gills.

Detailed features

Cap
Cap about 4–10 cm wide, dark brown to almost black-brown and radially fibrous.
Hymenophore
The gills are free, initially pale and later pink, while their edges remain dark brown.

Size

Cap diameter
4–10 cm

Habitat

Grows on dead conifer wood, especially pine, singly or in small groups in late summer and autumn.

Fruiting period

August, September, October

Ecology

Host trees
Pine (Pinus)
Substrate
Dead wood
Notes
Grows on dead conifer wood, especially pine, singly or in small groups in late summer and autumn.

How to separate similar species

Pluteus cervinus lacks such distinctly dark gill edges. Reliable identification is required before considering any Pluteus for food.

Similar species

Extended-description sources