SporePrintväri

SporePrintväri is a term used in mycology to describe the color of a mushroom's spore deposit. This characteristic is a crucial identification feature for many species, helping distinguish between similar-looking fungi. To obtain a spore print, a mushroom cap is typically placed gill-side down on a piece of paper or glass, often covered with a bowl or container to prevent drying. After several hours or overnight, the spores fall from the gills, forming a colored pattern.

The colors of spore prints can range widely, from white, cream, and yellow to various shades of brown, pink, red, purple, black, and even green. For example, many common edible mushrooms like the Meadow Mushroom (Agaricus campestris) have a pink spore print that matures to dark brown. In contrast, the Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) displays a white spore print.

Accurate observation of spore print color requires good lighting and sometimes magnification. The substrate used for the spore print can also influence perceived color, so experienced mycologists may use both white and black paper to ensure the color is correctly identified. Variations within a species can occur, but the general spore print color is usually consistent enough to be a reliable diagnostic tool. This method is fundamental in amateur and professional mushroom identification guides.