Overview
The Blue-green Leratiomyces (Leratiomyces atrovirens) is a visually arresting saprotrophic mushroom found in the damp, moss-draped temperate forests of southeastern Australia and New Zealand. Renowned among mycologists for its vivid verdigris, turquoise-blue, or dark sea-green cap that matures into olive-gold, this striking agaric brings unexpected, jewel-like coloration to the wet forest floor.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Leratiomyces atrovirens features a convex to broadly umbonate cap coated in a viscid, glutinous pellicle when fresh. Its young coloration is an intense aeruginous blue-green or deep peacock teal, fading with age to warm olive-ochre as the dark purple-brown basidiospores mature on the crowded adnate gills beneath. The slender fibrous stipe is pale greenish-blue with a delicate evanescent fibrillose partial veil zone.
Behavior and Ecology
Fruiting predominantly during cool, soaking autumn and early winter rains, Leratiomyces atrovirens colonizes rotting hardwood branches, decaying eucalyptus bark, and rich humus beds. As a vital primary saprotroph, its hyphal network secretes cellulases and lignin peroxidases, decomposing complex plant polymers and releasing essential nitrates and minerals back into the forest soil web.
Conservation and Human Impact
Assessed as Data Deficient due to incomplete regional mapping, Leratiomyces atrovirens appears relatively well established in protected national parks across Tasmania, Victoria, and New Zealand. Threats include severe canopy loss from commercial logging, climate-driven bushfires that incinerate damp microclimates, and extended droughts that reduce autumn fungal fruiting cycles.
Interesting Factoid
The striking verdigris turquoise pigment of this mushroom reacts to changing moisture: during dry spells, the cap fades to a muted olive-yellow, but quickly revives to a brilliant emerald-teal hue as soon as heavy rain returns.
Last updated: October 2026