Emma Wilson
Purple mushrooms are not only stunning to look at, but some are also edible. However, it is important to be cautious as some purple mushrooms are toxic. The Cortinarius violaceus, also known as the violet webcap, is a well-known purple mushroom species. It has vibrant purple gills, a cap, and a stem when young, but as it matures, it turns brown. This species is found in the forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, and it is endangered in the British Isles. Other types of purple mushrooms include the Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) and various species such as Russula sardonia, Tricholomopsis rutilans, and Morchella purpurascens. The Purple Mushroom also appears in the video game Stardew Valley, where it can be used for dyeing and crafting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Violet webcap, Amethyst deceiver |
| Scientific name | Cortinarius violaceus |
| Colour | Dark purple, violet |
| Cap | 6 inches across, convex-shaped, fuzzy/scaly texture |
| Gills | Dark violet, turning purplish-brown with age |
| Stipe (stem) | Similar colour to cap, covered in wool-like fibrils or fine hairs |
| Flesh | Violet, with a mild taste and pleasant smell reminiscent of cedar wood |
| Habitat | Temperate forests of North America, Europe, and Asia |
| Edibility | Considered inedible or edible but not choice, bitter taste |
| Uses | Purple dye, requested item in Stardew Valley |
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What You'll Learn
The Violet Webcap
The edibility of the Violet Webcap is a subject of debate. Some sources claim that it is edible, while others consider it inedible or even toxic. It is important to exercise caution when consuming any wild mushroom, as some toxic lookalikes exist in the Cortinarius family. The Violet Webcap's appeal to mushroom hunters lies primarily in its beauty rather than its taste, which is reportedly bitter.
The colour of the Violet Webcap is caused by an elusive pigment that was only identified in 1998. This pigment is an iron(III) complex of (R)-3',4'-dihydroxy-β-phenylalanine [(R)-β-dopa]. The fruiting bodies of the Violet Webcap contain around 100 times more iron than those of most other fungi. Despite its colourful appearance, the pigment of the Violet Webcap cannot be converted into a dye, unlike some other Cortinarius species.
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Toxicity and edibility
The edibility of purple mushrooms depends on the specific species. Some species of purple mushrooms are edible, while others are toxic. It is important to properly identify a mushroom before consuming it, as even mushrooms that do not taste bad can be dangerous.
Cortinarius violaceus, also known as the violet webcap, is a purple mushroom species that is sometimes considered edible but unpalatable, while other sources describe it as inedible. Its similarity in appearance to toxic species makes it risky to consume. The mushroom is found in the temperate forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, and it is endangered in the British Isles. The species is characterised by its dark purple colour, with caps up to 15 cm across and gills underneath. The flesh has a mild taste and a pleasant smell, reminiscent of cedar wood.
Another purple mushroom species, the amethyst deceiver (Laccaria amethystina), is described as enchanting due to its amethyst purple fruiting bodies, but there is no information on its edibility.
Several other species of purple mushrooms are listed as either edible or poisonous, but without additional details. These include Morchella purpurascens, Tricholomopsis rutilans, Russula fragilis, and many others.
Proper identification of mushroom species is crucial, as some toxic mushrooms may closely resemble edible ones. It is always recommended to seek advice from a local expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Dye and colour
The colour of mushrooms is determined by pigments, which can sometimes be used as dyes. However, the pigment of the purple mushroom Cortinarius violaceus cannot be converted into a dye, unlike some other Cortinarius species. This is because the pigment is an elusive iron(III) complex of (R)-3′,4′-dihydroxy-β-phenylalanine [(R)-β-dopa], which dissolves in water, turning the liquid dark purple before fading to blackish-grey.
The purple mushroom is also known as the violet webcap or violet cort, and it is found across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is easily identified by its vibrant purple gills, cap, and stem (or stipe). The stipe is covered in wool-like fibrils, and the flesh has a mild taste and a slight, pleasant smell reminiscent of cedar wood.
The violet webcap is a mycorrhizal species, meaning the underground portion of the fungus (the mycelium) engages in a mutually beneficial nutrient exchange with the roots of host trees. It is associated with a range of both hardwood and conifer trees and fruits in the fall.
While some sources claim that the violet webcap is edible, others consider it inedible due to its resemblance to other toxic webcaps. It is also listed as endangered in the British Isles, so it is not recommended for consumption.
In the game Stardew Valley, the Purple Mushroom can be used as a purple dye when placed in the spool of the sewing machine with a dyeable clothing item.
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Distribution and habitat
Purple mushrooms are not particularly common, but they can be found in forests across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. They tend to grow near trees such as oak, pine, birch, and beech and are often found on decaying leaves, wood, and hardwoods.
The Western Amethyst, for example, grows with conifers in western North American forests. The Reddish Brown Bitter Bolete is found under oak in deciduous forests across eastern North America. The Purple-spored Puffball, on the other hand, is found in the forests of North America, Europe, and southern Australia.
The Violet Webcap (Cortinarius violaceus) has a wider distribution, occurring in the temperate forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, and even the subarctic regions of western Greenland. It is found predominantly in conifer forests in North America and deciduous forests in Europe. However, it is listed as endangered in the British Isles and is not common anywhere else in Europe.
The Purple Pinwheel, a tiny and graceful mushroom, is also widely distributed in forests across the Americas. It grows in abundance on decaying leaves and wood.
The conservation of purple mushroom species is important due to their ecological roles and potential contributions to biotechnological applications such as bioremediation and organic waste management.
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Identification
Purple mushrooms are often identified as belonging to the species Cortinarius violaceus, commonly known as the violet webcap or violet cort. This species is found across North America, Europe, and Asia, although it is not common anywhere in Europe and is listed as endangered in the British Isles.
The violet webcap is characterised by its vibrant purple gills, cap, and stem (or stipe). The cap can be up to 15 cm (6 inches) across and is sometimes covered in dense, fine hairs, giving it a fuzzy or scaly texture. The gills are dark violet, turning purplish-brown with age. The stipe is a similar colour to the cap and is covered in wool-like fibrils. The flesh is violet, with a mild taste and a slight, pleasant smell reminiscent of cedar wood.
As the mushroom matures, it dries out and turns from cream to brown, making it more difficult to identify. Immature specimens are easier to identify due to their vibrant purple colouration. The caps of young mushrooms are convex-shaped and expand to broadly convex or almost flat as the mushroom grows.
Another species of purple mushroom is the amethyst deceiver (Laccaria amethystina), which produces amethyst purple fruiting bodies. This species is also known for its difficulty in identification, as mature or weathered specimens lose their vibrant purple colouration. Fresh, non-aged individuals display dark purple gills, which are waxy and spaced distantly apart.
Other types of purple mushrooms include various species of Cortinarius, such as C. iodes, found in the southeastern United States, and C. cotoneus, which is similar in appearance to C. violaceus. Additionally, some species of Russula, Mycena, and Gymnopilus are also known to have purple varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Purple mushrooms are considered inedible or edible but not choice. They are also known to be toxic. Their colour is caused by an elusive pigment that has been difficult to isolate.
Some examples of purple mushrooms include the Violet Webcap, the Amethyst Deceiver, and the Cortinarius Iodes.
Purple mushrooms can be found in the wild across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are also known to grow in the British Isles, where they are listed as endangered, and in the subarctic regions of western Greenland.
