Mealy Bigfoot Webcap

Mealy Bigfoot Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) caerulescens (Schaeff.) Fr. syn. C. caesiocyaneus Britzelm. (illustrated 45% life size) Cap 5–10cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved at first; greyish-blue to blue-violaceous, discolouring ochraceous from centre or in patches, no reaction in cuticle with NaOH. Stem 30–80×10–20mm, 20–40mm wide at marginate bulb; blue-violaceous, discolouring yellowish from stem base; cortina bluish. Flesh violet, buff to dark brown with age; taste mild, smell strong, unpleasant and musty. Gills adnate to free; blue-violaceous at first then ochraceous to clay-buff, finally rusty. Spores 8.5–10×5–6¼, elliptical to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.