Michael Davis
Blewit mushrooms, also known as Clitocybe nuda, Lepista nuda, or Tricholoma nuda, are a beautiful, delicious, and edible wild mushroom species. They are often found in the fall and winter months, growing in leaf litter under Live Oak trees and near Cedar/Juniper Ash trees. Blewits have a simple cap, a thick and stocky stalk, and tight gills, with no ring or veil around the stalk. The cap is smooth and can range in colour from beige to mauve, lilac, violet, or lavender, with the lavender colour being more concentrated underneath the gills. As the mushroom ages, the edges of the cap become wavy and iridescent. The stalk is bulbous at the bottom and usually has leaves stuck to it when plucked from the ground. Blewits are often found in loose arcs or rings, and their spore print is light-coloured, ranging from whitish dull pink to pinkish beige. They are considered a good edible mushroom, but it is important to distinguish them from similar-looking poisonous species.
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What You'll Learn
- Blewits are usually found in groups, not alone
- They have a standard mushroom shape with a simple cap, thick stalk, and tight gills
- The caps are often beige to mauve, sometimes with leaf litter stuck to them
- The gills underneath the cap are a more concentrated purple
- Blewits have a distinctive smell, like sweet citrus or bright floral
Blewits are usually found in groups, not alone
Blewits are a type of mushroom with a standard "mushroom" shape: a simple cap, a thick, stocky stalk, and tight gills. The cap is smooth, almost suede-like, and can be beige to mauve, lilac, or purple in colour. The colour can vary depending on the humidity, age, and time of year. As the mushroom ages, the edges of the cap get wavy and appear shiny and iridescent. The stalk or stem is bulbous at the bottom and usually has leaves stuck to it when plucked from the ground.
Blewits are edible and considered a delicacy by some. They can be fried in butter or sautéed in olive oil with garlic and onions. They can also be pickled.
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They have a standard mushroom shape with a simple cap, thick stalk, and tight gills
Blewit mushrooms have a standard mushroom shape with a simple cap, thick stalk, and tight gills. The cap is substantial and in-rolled when young, giving it the classic mushroom shape. As the cap matures, it will flatten out and even get wavy. The stalk is stocky and thick, with a bulbous base. The gills are tightly packed and attached to the stem. There is no ring or veil around the stalk.
The cap is smooth, almost suede-like, and can appear lavender purple if there is humidity. The cap is often beige to mauve, with shades ranging from bright to very light lavender and even purply pink or a very dull lilac. As the mushroom ages, the edges of the cap get wavy and appear shiny and iridescent when light hits it. The colour of the cap and stalk will change from purplish to light tan over time.
Blewits are often found in loose arcs or rings, but they do not grow in bunches or on dead wood. They are saprotrophic, growing on leaf litter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.
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The caps are often beige to mauve, sometimes with leaf litter stuck to them
Blewit mushrooms are known for their distinctive colour, which can vary from beige to mauve, with some even appearing brown. The caps of these mushrooms are often found with leaf litter stuck to them. This is because they grow in leaf litter, recycling nutrients back into the soil. They are saprotrophic, meaning they grow on and break down dead matter.
The colour of the caps can change as the mushroom ages. Young blewits are often blueish, with field guides describing the colour as purplish-blue, violet, or lavender. As the mushroom matures, the cap opens and flattens out, and the colour fades to mauve or tan. The edges of the cap become wavy and appear shiny and iridescent.
The colour of blewit mushrooms can vary depending on the time of year, temperature, and conditions. They are typically found during the fall and winter months, and they need a heavy frost or freeze to initiate fruiting. Therefore, their appearance can change with the seasons.
The caps of blewit mushrooms are described as having a smooth, suede-like texture. They have a standard "mushroom" shape, with a simple cap, a thick, stocky stalk, and tight gills. The stalk is usually bulbous at the bottom and may have leaves stuck to it when plucked from the ground.
It is important to note that while blewit mushrooms are edible, proper identification is crucial as there are poisonous look-alike species.
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The gills underneath the cap are a more concentrated purple
Blewit mushrooms, also known as Clitocybe nuda or Lepista nuda, are a beautiful, delicious, and edible wild mushroom species. They are often described as having a distinctive lavender or lilac colour, with a simple cap, a thick and stocky stalk, and tight gills.
The gills underneath the cap of a blewit mushroom are a more concentrated purple, ranging from lilac to lavender. This distinctive purple colour is a key identifying feature of blewits. While the cap and stalk may also have a purple hue, it is usually less intense than the gills. As the mushroom ages, the purple colour may fade, and the cap may become more beige or mauve. The edges of the cap may also become wavy and appear shiny and iridescent.
The colour of blewits can vary depending on their age and the environmental conditions. Younger blewits tend to display more prominent purplish lilac colours, especially under the cap. As they mature, the cap opens and flattens, and the colour of the cap and stem lightens from purple to light tan or beige.
Blewits are often found in loose arcs or rings, and they favour growing in leaf litter, particularly under Live Oak trees and near Cedar or Juniper Ash trees. They typically fruit during the fall and winter months, following a heavy frost or freeze.
It is important to distinguish blewits from similar-looking mushrooms, such as Cortinarius, which can be poisonous. Cortinarius mushrooms have a slimy, more purple cap and darker, rusty-coloured spores.
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Blewits have a distinctive smell, like sweet citrus or bright floral
Blewits, or wood blewits, are a type of mushroom that can be identified by their distinctive smell, which is often likened to sweet citrus or bright floral fragrances. This unique aroma, coupled with their characteristic appearance, makes them relatively easy to identify.
Wood blewits (Clitocybe nuda or Lepista nuda) are known for their striking colouration, which can vary from bluish-violet to lilac, lavender, or even mauve and tan as they mature. Their caps are typically beige to mauve, and the gills underneath are a more intense purple. The caps are smooth and suede-like, and the stalks are thick and stocky, with a bulbous base.
The distinctive smell of sweet citrus or bright floral notes is a key identifier for blewits. This aroma is often described as pleasant and fragrant, adding to the allure of these mushrooms. The fragrance may be reminiscent of lilac-jasmine, frozen orange juice, perfume, or lilacs, contributing to their appeal for foragers.
When identifying blewits, it is important to pay attention to their habitat and growth patterns. They are typically found in hardwood leaf litter under Live Oak trees and near Cedar or Juniper Ash trees. They often grow in loose arcs or rings, and their fruiting is influenced by temperature, with frost or freezing temperatures triggering their growth.
It is important to note that while blewits are edible and sought after by foragers, proper identification is crucial. Confusion with similar-looking mushrooms, such as Cortinarius, can be dangerous as some look-alikes are poisonous. Therefore, relying solely on smell or appearance is not recommended without considering other identifying factors as well.
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Frequently asked questions
Blewit mushrooms are typically purple, but the shade can vary from lilac to lavender, and even mauve or tan. Younger blewits tend to be more purple, while the colour of older blewits fades to a lighter shade.
Blewits have a standard "mushroom" shape, with a simple cap, thick and stocky stalk, and tight gills. The cap is smooth and suede-like, and the stalk is bulbous at the bottom. They are often found in loose arcs or rings, but not in bunches or on dead wood.
Blewits are often found in leaf litter, especially under Live Oak trees and near Cedar or Juniper Ash trees. They are usually found in the fall and winter months, and they need a heavy frost or freeze to initiate fruiting. They have a distinctive fragrance, similar to lilac-jasmine, sweet citrus, or bright floral. To be completely sure, you can do a spore print—the spores of blewits should be light-coloured, while those of the similar-looking Cortinarius mushrooms are darker.
