Common names: blackedged shield, Black-edged Pluteus.
AI-generated description
Pluteus atromarginatus is a species of mushroom characterized by its grayish-brown cap, typically 3-8 cm in diameter, with a distinctive dark brown to black margin. The gills are free, crowded, and pale pink to pinkish-brown. It grows on decaying wood, often on hardwoods like oak and elm. In East and Central Texas, Pluteus atromarginatus has been found in urban and rural areas, typically fruiting from spring to fall, with a preference for moist, shaded environments. Specimens have been collected in various counties, including Brazos, Grimes, and Travis, often in association with deciduous trees and rich soil.
Black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) under a pine log on a property at 5369 Farm to Market Road 770 near Kountze. Texas, November 9, 2019
Underside of black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a property at 5369 Farm to Market Road 770 near Kountze. Texas, November 9, 2019
Gills of black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a property at 5369 Farm to Market Road 770 near Kountze. Texas, November 9, 2019
Black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 16, 2019
Gills of black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 16, 2019
Black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine stump in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 27, 2019
Gills of black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine stump in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 27, 2019
Gills of black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 8, 2020
Cap of black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, March 8, 2020
Black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a mossy pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 13, 2020
Cap of black-edged Pluteus mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 13, 2020
Gills of black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 13, 2020
Group of black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 13, 2020
Black-edged Pluteus mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a mossy log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 13, 2020
Blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a fallen pine on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 10, 2020
Gills of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 10, 2020
Blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus(?)) on a fallen pine without bark on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, December 26, 2020
Dissected blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus(?)) on a fallen pine on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, December 26, 2020
Blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Fibrous cap of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Underside of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Gills of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Close-up of gills of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Gill pattern of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Cap texture of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 20, 2021
Blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on wood chips on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Caps of blackedged shield mushrooms (Pluteus atromarginatus) on wood chips on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Gills of blackedged shield mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Underside of blackedged shield mushroom (Pluteus atromarginatus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Tissue of gills of a mushroom Pluteus atromarginatus from wood chips collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Basidia and cystidia of a mushroom Pluteus atromarginatus from wood chips under a microscope collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Spores of a mushroom Pluteus atromarginatus from wood chips collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
Spores from a mushroom Pluteus atromarginatus under a microscope, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest east from Trail Head No.4. Texas, March 15, 2022
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Pluteus atromarginatus was observed in East and Central Texas on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2022. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, particularly on Caney Creek Trail and Little Lake Creek Loop Trail. The mushrooms were found growing on pine logs, stumps, and wood chips, often in association with moss. Observations included detailed descriptions and photographs of the mushroom's cap, gills, and spores. Microscopic examination of tissue samples confirmed the identity of the species. The observations suggest that Pluteus atromarginatus is a common species in the region, fruiting from November to March. The consistent presence of the species in the same areas over multiple years indicates a stable population in the region. Overall, these observations provide valuable information on the distribution and habitat preferences of Pluteus atromarginatus in East and Central Texas.