Species details
Bruising webcap
Thaxterogaster purpurascens
Extra caution required
Photo: Σ64 · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A fleshy brownish to grey-blue webcap relative with violet gills and stem that characteristically bruises purple.
Identification features
The cap is sticky when wet and very variable in colour. Young gills are dark violet, later violet-brown. The stem has a distinctly enlarged, bulbous base.
Identification checklist
The most important feature is purple-violet bruising of gills, flesh and stem when pressed or cut. Also check the sticky cap and strongly enlarged base.
How to separate similar species
Similar violet webcaps differ in base shape, flesh reaction and cap colours. Older specimens may lose much of the violet colour and become harder to identify.
Habitat
Mycorrhizal mainly in coniferous woodland with spruce, often on acidic soils; in autumn.
Fruiting period
September, October, November
Similar species
- Thaxterogaster porphyropus
- Blue-foot webcap (Cortinarius glaucopus)
- Cortinarius cyanites