Violet Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) violaceus (L.) Gray (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 3.5โ15cm across, convex, margin incurved; dark violaceous to blue-black; covered in fine, downy scales. Stem 60โ160ร10โ20mm, 20โ40mm wide at swollen to bulbous base; dark blue-violaceous; covered in woolly fibrils. Flesh violaceous, more strongly so below cap cuticle and in stem; taste mild, smell slight, of cedar wood. Gills adnate; dark violet then purplish-brown. Spores 12โ15ร7โ8.5ยผ, elliptical to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially oak, birch, and beech, occasionally with conifers; autumn. Uncommon, endangered on Red Data List. Said to be edible but I advise against it, as all Cortinarius contain toxins. Note the colour is much more violet than that captured on film.
