Cortinarius (Cortinarius) cyanites Fr. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 5–12cm across, convex; mix of violaceous-purple, grey, and reddish-brown; slimy at first then dry, covered in brownish fibrils or scales. Stem 90–150×20–35mm, swollen to clavate; pallid purplish, sometimes red-spotted; fibrillose. Flesh purple, especially near surface, reddening after a few minutes when cut or bruised; taste slight or a touch bitter, smell distinctive. Gills adnate; violet for a long time. Spores 8–11.5×5–6.5¼, lemon-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible. Note cut in half and rub the knife over cut surface to bruise it: in two or three minutes it will turn blood-red in patches. This should possibly be placed in the subgenus Phlegmacium.
