Pearly Webcap

Pearly Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) alboviolaceus (Pers.) Fr. (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 3–9cm across, convex to bell-shaped, then expanded and umbonate, margin often splitting with age; bluish-white to pale violaceous, discolouring pallid to ochraceous; covered in pale bluish-violet or whitish silky veil at first. Stem 80–100×10–18mm, swollen towards the base; concolorous with cap, apex deep violaceous, discolouring pallid to ochraceous from base up; cortina white. Flesh pale violaceous, deeper in stem apex, later pallid in stem base; taste of radish, smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; violaceous at first, then tinged clay, finally rusty. Spores 8–10×5–6¼, elliptical, minutely rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.