Rob. Henry (illustrated 45% life size) Cap 3–10cm across, convex; bright violaceous at first, discolouring ochraceous to buff from centre outwards, fading to silvery, margin lilac with age, cuticle bright red with NaOH. Stem 25–100×5–18mm, 12–30mm wide at distinctly marginate bulb; violaceous like the cap at first, discolouring ochraceous from the base up, except for a persistent narrow, violet zone at the apex; cortina violaceous. Flesh whitish, with violaceous flush in stem apex and ochraceous tinge in bulb; taste of flesh mild, cap cuticle bitter, smell faint, mushroomy. Gills adnate to free; violet then clay-pink to umber; edge remaining violaceous a long time. Spores 10–12×5.5–6.5¼, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods, usually on chalk; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.
