Amethyst deceiver or Violet webcap

The cap is small to medium: 2-7 cm across, hemispherical to convex with an inrolled edge in young mushrooms, later convex-flattened with a small bump in the center, or depressed. The color is deep amethyst purple, lilac-purple in fresh, moist mushrooms. As it dries and ages it fades to grayish-lilac, then to pale cream with a purple tinge. The surface is silky-matte, slightly damp in wet weather.

Cap 5-15 cm across, hemispherical with an inrolled margin in young mushrooms, later becoming convex-flat with a low umbo. Color deep violet, inky purple, almost black in the center. Surface velvety-scaly, with fine violet-inky scales — a hallmark of the species. In damp weather it looks matte and velvety.

Gilled hymenophore. The gills are widely spaced, thick, attached or slightly decurrent. Their color echoes the cap — deep amethyst purple, with a whitish, floury bloom (spores). The spore print is white.

Gills — attached to the stem, moderately spaced, deep violet, darkening with age to purple-black, then to rusty brown as the spore powder ripens. Spore print rusty brown. In young mushrooms the gills are covered by a cobweb-like partial veil (cortina) with a purple tint.

Stem 5-10 cm tall, 0.5-1 cm thick, slender, cylindrical, often curved. The color is purple, matching the cap, lengthwise fibrous. At the base — white mycelial fuzz. No ring. The stem becomes hollow in old mushrooms.

Stem 8-12 cm tall, 1.5-2.5 cm thick, cylindrical, thick and fleshy, with a bulbous swelling at the base. Color deep violet, matching the cap, paler toward the base. The surface has fine violet fibers. Remnants of the cobwebby cortina on the stem — purple in young mushrooms, covered in rusty-brown spores in old ones.

Flesh thin, lilac-purple, soft. Doesn't change color when cut. No pronounced taste, faint aroma.

Flesh firm, violet in young mushrooms, turning gray-violet to brownish with age. When cut, it does not change color. Smell faint, mushroomy; in some populations with a hint of cedar.

Faint, pleasant mushroomy, neutral. Taste mild, with no particular notes. Not for bold-flavored dishes — nobody picks it for its aroma.

Faint, pleasant and mushroomy, with a subtle resinous or cedar note in some populations.