Scientific Name: Cortinarius purpurascens (Cortinariaceae). 'Cortinarius' means 'curtain', a reference to the veil that covers the gills when the mushroom is young. 'Purpurascens' means 'turning purple', which the mushroom does if damaged.
English Name: Bruising Webcap (Webcap family).
French Name: Cortinaire purpurescent (='purpling curtain').
5 Key Characters:
- turns purple if damaged.
- cap brownish streaked with purple, going browner with age.
- cap convex, flattening out with age.
- gills brownish violet, going darker reddish brown with age.
- stem violet and swollen at the base.
Lookalikes: Other purple Cortinarius spp, especially C. violaceus, which is deep purple. Wood Blewit Lepista nuda, which has a cap edge that rolls under and is common.
Habitat: Broadleaf and mixed forests, especially under Oaks Quercus spp and Beech Fagus sylvaticus.
Fruiting Period: August-September-October-November.
Status: Uncommon.
Edible or Toxic? Possibly toxic (other similar species contain a toxin which will destroy your liver or kidneys if you eat them).
Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
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| Wood Blewit on the left, Bruising Webcap on the right. |
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