Cortinarius alboviolaceus
Epicr. syst. mycol.: 280. 1838.
Common Name: none
For description see Kauffman, Siegel & Schwarz, & 'California Mushrooms'.
Scattered to gregarious or in small clusters in humus under tanbark oak and conifers in mixed forests; locally common, fruiting from fall through winter, widely distributed.
Unknown.
Cortinarius alboviolaceus is readily recognized by the silky, silvery violet cap, violet young gills, a silvery violet clavate stipe, and mild odor. Cortinarius anomalus is similar but has a brownish violet to reddish brown cap disc, a darker violet stipe often with ochraceous bands of veil remnants, and subglobose spores. Cortinarius camphoratus too is similar but with darker violet shades overall, a strong, sickening odor (variously described as like rotting potatoes, burned horn, or goat stench), and growth with conifers.
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Kuyper, T.W., Nuytinck, J., Noordeloos, M.E. & Vellinga, E.C. (2024). Flora Agaricina Neerlandica -- Critical monographs on the families of agarics and boleti occurring in the Netherlands and Flanders. Volume 8. Cortinarious. Candusso Editrice: Origgio, Italy. 844 p.
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Murrill, W.A., Overholts, L.O. & Kauffman, C.H. (1932). North American Flora: Agaricales, Agaricaceae (pars). 10(5): 277-348.
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Backcountry Press: Keeland, CA. 576 p.
