Species details
Black-edged shield
Pluteus atromarginatus
Traditionally edible
Photo: Henk Monster · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License
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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.
How to separate similar species
Pluteus cervinus lacks such distinctly dark gill edges. Reliable identification is required before considering any Pluteus for food.
Habitat
Grows on dead conifer wood, especially pine, singly or in small groups in late summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
August, September, October
Similar species
- Deer shield (Pluteus cervinus)
- Pluteus species
- Pluteus salicinus