John Miller
Purple mushrooms do exist, and they come in various shades of purple, from lilac to indigo. Some common purple mushrooms are the amethyst deceiver, the indigo milk cap, the violet webcap or violet cort, the violet collybia, and the purple-gilled laccaria. These mushrooms can be found in different parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand. While some purple mushrooms are edible, others are poisonous, and it is important to properly identify them before consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Violet Webcap, Violet Cort, Indigo Milk Cap, Amethyst Deceiver, Violet Collybia, Purple-Gilled Laccaria |
| Scientific Name | Cortinarius Violaceus, Cortinarius Caerulescens, Lactarius Indigo, Gymnopus Iocephalus |
| Colour | Violet, Purple, Indigo, Lilac, Lavender |
| Smell | Cedar Wood, Radish, Garlic, Gunpowder |
| Taste | Mild to Acrid |
| Edibility | Edible, Poisonous |
| Region | North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, India, Guatemala, Mexico, Yunnan Province in Southwest China |
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What You'll Learn
- Purple mushrooms that exist include the violet webcap, violet cort, and amethyst deceiver
- Violet webcaps have a deep violet colour and are found in North America, Europe, and Asia
- Violet corts are similar to violet webcaps but are listed as endangered in the British Isles
- Amethyst deceivers have a bright lilac colour and are often found in leaf litter during late summer and autumn
- Purple-gilled laccaria mushrooms have a large, tannish lavender cap and thick, purplish gills
Purple mushrooms that exist include the violet webcap, violet cort, and amethyst deceiver
Purple mushrooms do exist, and they include the violet webcap, violet cort, and amethyst deceiver.
The violet webcap, or violet cort, is the common name for the fungus Cortinarius violaceus. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 and has since undergone several name changes. It is distinguished by its dark purple colouration and distinct cystidia. The cap of the violet webcap can be up to 15 cm (6 inches) across, with gills underneath. The stalk measures 6 to 12 cm (2+1⁄3 to 4+2⁄3 inches) by 1 to 2 cm (3⁄8 to 3⁄4 inches), sometimes featuring a thicker base. The flesh of the mushroom is violet, with a mild taste and a slight, pleasant smell reminiscent of cedar wood.
Cortinarius violaceus is found predominantly in conifer forests in North America and deciduous forests in Europe. It forms symbiotic relationships with the roots of various plant species. While some sources describe the violet webcap as edible, it resembles some toxic species, and its similarity to other inedible or toxic webcaps makes it risky to consume.
The amethyst deceiver, or Laccaria amethystina, is another purple mushroom species. This mushroom has had many binomials over the years, but reference to its amethyst coloration is featured in most of them. The cap of the amethyst deceiver is up to 6 cm (2+1⁄4 inches) in diameter and is initially convex, later flattening, typically with a central depression. When moist, the cap is a deep purplish lilac, which fades upon drying out. The stem is the same colour as the cap and has whitish fibrils at the base, becoming mealy at the top.
Laccaria amethystina is found in association with hardwoods of the order Fagales, particularly in North America. Several other purplish species in North America were once labelled as L. amethystina before being described as distinct species by Gregory M. Mueller in 1984. These include Laccaria amethysteo-occidentalis, which is found in western North America and has a deeper purple colour that fades to vinaceous shades.
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Violet webcaps have a deep violet colour and are found in North America, Europe, and Asia
Violet webcaps, or the Cortinarius violaceus, are a type of fungus in the webcap genus, Cortinarius. They are easily distinguished from other mushrooms by their deep violet colour and distinct cystidia. The cap of the Violet Webcap is typically deep purple or violet, though it can sometimes appear more reddish-brown when young. The cap can range from 5 to 15 centimetres in diameter. The gills of the Violet Webcap are initially covered by a cobweb-like veil (cortina) in young specimens. As the mushroom matures, the veil breaks, leaving a rusty-brown spore print on the gills. The stem of the Violet Webcap is typically the same colour as the cap, ranging from purple to violet or reddish-brown. It is often cylindrical and fibrous, sometimes with a slightly bulbous base. The stem can grow up to 10 centimetres tall and 1–2 centimetres thick.
Violet webcaps are found in temperate parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, they favour conifers, and while they are rare over much of the continent, they are relatively common in certain areas, including Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. They are also found in deciduous forests in Europe and are listed as endangered in the British Isles. Violet webcaps are considered edible by some, but others advise against consuming them due to potential toxicity and the risk of mistaken identity with similar-looking but toxic mushrooms within the Cortinarius genus.
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Violet corts are similar to violet webcaps but are listed as endangered in the British Isles
Purple mushrooms do exist, and one such variety is the violet webcap or violet cort, scientifically known as Cortinarius violaceus. This fungus is the type species of the genus Cortinarius, which is the largest mushroom genus. Violet corts are easily distinguished from other mushrooms in the genus by their dark colouration and distinct cystidia.
Violet corts are similar to other mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius, which are commonly known as webcaps. They are distinguished by their much darker purple colour. The specific epithet violaceus refers to the deep violet colour of its cap. The violet webcap is also known as Gomphos violaceus, a name given by Otto Kuntze in 1898.
The violet cort is found across North America, Europe, and Asia. However, it is not common anywhere in Europe and is listed as endangered in the British Isles. It is also a rare component of subarctic areas of western Greenland. The mushroom is found predominantly in conifer forests in North America and deciduous forests in Europe.
The violet cort has a mild taste reminiscent of cedar wood, with a slight, pleasant smell. The gills are dark violet, changing to a purplish-brown with age. The spore print is rust-coloured, and the spores are elliptical to almond-shaped, covered in medium-sized warts. The violet cort is considered edible by some, but it resembles some toxic species, and its rarity makes it undesirable to consume.
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Amethyst deceivers have a bright lilac colour and are often found in leaf litter during late summer and autumn
Purple mushrooms do exist, and one such example is the amethyst deceiver. This fungus has a bright lilac colour and is often found in leaf litter during late summer and autumn.
The amethyst deceiver is a small, bright purple toadstool that grows in broadleaved and coniferous woodlands. It is often found in the leaf litter of these woodlands during late summer and autumn. The amethyst deceiver gets its name from the fact that its cap and stem become paler and almost white in dry environments or as the mushroom ages, making it difficult to recognise.
The amethyst deceiver is edible, but it is important to note that it closely resembles the poisonous Lilac fibrecap. It is crucial to never consume any fungus that cannot be positively identified as edible. Fungi differ from plants in that they obtain their nutrients and energy from organic matter rather than photosynthesis.
The amethyst deceiver is not the only purple mushroom out there. Another example is the indigo milk cap, which is also edible and found in deciduous and coniferous forests of southern and eastern North America. Additionally, New Zealand and India are home to the sky blue mushroom, which has a vivid blue colour and a cone-shaped cap.
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Purple-gilled laccaria mushrooms have a large, tannish lavender cap and thick, purplish gills
Purple-gilled laccaria mushrooms are characterized by their large, tannish lavender cap and thick, purplish gills, giving them a distinctive appearance. They are often found in grassy areas and under hardwoods and conifers, typically growing scattered or in groups. This mushroom species is native to Missouri, where they are commonly spotted in oak woods during the fall season.
The cap of the purple-gilled laccaria is quite large and can range in colour from a tannish lavender to grayish-white. The cap begins as convex but eventually flattens and may even become depressed in the centre as the mushroom matures. The margin of the cap initially curves inward but eventually develops a finely wavy edge. The overall texture of the cap is smooth.
The gills of this mushroom are one of its most notable features, with a broad structure and distinct purplish colour. They are spaced apart and attached to the stalk. The stalk itself is often curved and stout, mirroring the colour range of the cap, from tannish lavender to grayish white. The texture of the stalk can vary from smooth to slightly scaly.
Purple-gilled laccaria mushrooms have a white to pale violet spore print. When magnified, the individual spores appear round, spiny, and colourless. This species is considered edible and is mycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with tree roots. While it may not be the most delectable choice on its own, combining it with other mushrooms or strong flavours can enhance its culinary appeal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, purple mushrooms do exist. Some examples include the violet webcap (Cortinarius violaceus), the indigo milk cap, the amethyst deceiver, the violet collybia (Gymnopus iocephalus), and the purple-gilled laccaria.
It depends on the type of purple mushroom. While some purple mushrooms like the indigo milk cap and the amethyst deceiver are edible, others like the violet webcap (Cortinarius violaceus) are poisonous and should not be consumed.
Purple mushrooms can vary in shade from lilac to indigo to violet. They typically have a cap and gills that are purple in color, and some may have a white or tannish lavender tint. Some purple mushrooms may also have a cobweb-like veil covering their gills.
Purple mushrooms can be found in various locations depending on the species. For example, the indigo milk cap is typically found in deciduous and coniferous forests of southern and eastern North America, while the amethyst deceiver can be found in the leaf litter of coniferous and deciduous woodlands during late summer and autumn. The violet webcap is found in conifer forests in North America and deciduous forests in Europe and Asia.
