Cortinarius alboviolaceus - Pearly Webcap

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Cortinarius alboviolaceus, the Pearly Webcap, is found in summer and autumn mainly in beech woods but also occasionally under conifers. The pale lilac or mauve tinted cap is quite distinctive.

The genus Cortinarius is sometimes subdivided, and the Pearl;y Webcap is a very tipical member of the subgenus Seriocybe, meaning 'silky head'. The silky lilac-flushed cap is paler towards the centre making this species very distinctive, unlike most webcaps.

Identification guide

	Cap At first domed and then shallowly convex with a broad umbo, the dry, silky caps vary in colour from almost white through pale lilac to pale mauve. Cap diameter varies from 3 to 9cm at maturity.
	Gills The notched gills are violaceous at first. As the spores mature, the gills turn clay brown and eventually they are stained rust brown by the spores.
Stem	The stipe, which is often bowed rather than straight, is pale and fibrous with a slightly clavate (club-shaped) base. Typically 6 to 15mm in diameter the stems are often clavate and 8 to 12 cm tall. The remains of the white cortina that adhere to the stem are soon marked by a reddish-brown stain from falling spores.
Spore print	Rusty brown.
Odour/taste	Smells only slightly but has a detectable taste of radish.
Habitat	Under beech and less frequently other hardwood trees in areas where the soil is acidic; occasionally also under conifers.
Season	July to November.
Occurrence	Frequent.