Mushrooms of the Southeast by Todd F. Elliott

Author:Todd F. Elliott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Timber Press
Published: 2017-04-09T04:00:00+00:00

GILLED MUSHROOMS

Lepista nuda (Bulliard) Cooke

BLEWIT

SYNONYM Clitocybe nuda

FAMILY Tricholomataceae

Cap 5–12.5 cm wide, convex at first but becoming flattened with age, often developing a sunken center, violet to grayish violet when young but fading to tan or pinkish buff; surface of cap smooth, margin incurved at first but expanding and becoming wavy; gills close, purple to pale violet but fading to tan or light brown; stalk 3–7.5 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide, somewhat enlarged at the base, the same color as the cap or paler; spores pinkish buff in mass, 5.5–8 × 3.5–5 µm, ellipsoid, minutely roughened to smooth.

Habitat/Biological Role: Occurring on the ground in broadleaf or conifer forests; occasionally solitary but usually occurring in small groups; time of fruiting variable and depending largely upon climate. Decomposer of litter and humus.

Distribution: Found throughout North America.

Comments: Its distinctive violet color is usually enough to identify Lepista nuda but it often fades substantially. It tends to fruit late in the season but can be relatively abundant. This species is a choice edible and is sometimes cultivated. Laccaria ochropurpurea is one of the most similar fungi, but it is mycorrhizal and typically has a pale lilac cap, dark lilac gills, a white spore print, and spiny spores.

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