Mushrooms of the Northwest by Marrone Teresa; Parker Drew;

Author:Marrone, Teresa; Parker, Drew;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 5944639
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Published: 2019-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Rosy Gomphidius

Clustered Slime Spike

Gills and ring darkened by spores (G. glutinosus shown)

Purple Slime Spike

Purplish Cortinarius

Cortinarius spp.

HABITAT: Cortinarius are mycorrhizal. All species discussed here associate with conifers; Violet Cort may also be found near hardwoods.

DESCRIPTION: Cortinarius have a cobwebby veil (called a cortina; see photo on pg. 13) covering the gills of young specimens. The veil disintegrates with age, sometimes leaving a ring remnant on the stem. Spores are brownish; they typically darken the mature gills and ring remnant. Caps are conical at first, becoming wider and fairly flat, often with a central hump (umbo). Gills are attached to the stem, sometimes running down it slightly. Our area has several Corts with purplish attributes. • Many Corts have dry caps. The two discussed here are fairly large, with caps up to 5 inches wide. Violet Cort (C. violaceus) is deep violet to violet-black overall, with purplish flesh; older specimens fade to brownish. Caps are hairy or scaly, with a rough texture. Gills are fairly widely spaced. Stems are up to 7 inches tall, with a swollen or club-shaped base. It has a mildly sweet odor that some compare to cedar wood. Lilac Cort (C. traganus) has pale lilac caps and stems; gills are brownish-yellow and closely spaced. Stems are less than 4 inches tall and roughened with irregular pale patches. Flesh is brownish. Lilac Cort has a pear-like odor. • Other Corts have caps that are slimy or sticky when wet. The two discussed here are medium-size, with caps that are typically 2 to 3 inches wide; stems are 2 to 3 inches tall and moderately slender. Gills of both are closely spaced. C. occidentalis are violet-blue overall when young, fading to grayish-purple or tan. Flesh is bluish to bluish-gray; it stains purplish when cut or bruised. This species has little odor. C. subfoetidus (uncommon in our area) is noted for its highly sweet, unpleasant odor. Caps are bluish-lavender to pale pinkish lilac; the centers fade to pinkish-tan but the edges remain lavender. This species has a universal veil that leaves a lilac-colored sheath on the lower part of the stem.

SPORE PRINT: Rust-brown to cinnamon-brown.

SEASON: Summer through fall.

OTHER NAMES: C. occidentalis is also listed as C. mutabilis.

COMPARE: Young Blewits are purplish overall, but they have no veil and no ring zone on the stem; spores are pale pink to pinkish-buff.

NOTES: Violet Cort is edible but not choice. The others listed here should be considered inedible; some may be toxic.

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