Species details

Deer shield

Pluteus cervinus

Extra caution required
Deer shield – Pluteus cervinus

Photo: Aleksandar Đukić · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A brown wood-inhabiting mushroom with free gills that change from white to pink.

Identification features

Stem is whitish with brown longitudinal fibres, ringless; spore print is pink.

Identification checklist

Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A brown wood-inhabiting mushroom with free gills that change from white to pink. Stem is whitish with brown longitudinal fibres, ringless; spore print is pink. Typical habitat: On dead wood, stumps and buried hardwood.

How to separate similar species

Compare especially with these similar species: Entoloma species, Volvopluteus gloiocephalus. Check the combination of cap shape and colour, spore-bearing surface, stem, flesh changes and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough; if the key characters do not match the description, do not treat the identification as confirmed.

Habitat

On dead wood, stumps and buried hardwood.

Fruiting period

April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Similar species

  • Entoloma species
  • Volvopluteus gloiocephalus

Extended-description sources