Gypsy mushroom or Violet webcap

The cap is 4-10 cm across, egg-shaped or hemispherical in young mushrooms, becoming convex and spread out with a broad umbo in the center. The color is ochre-yellow, egg-yolk colored, parchment-yellow, with a characteristic violet-grayish floury bloom in young mushrooms (especially in the center of the cap) — this silvery-violet crust often rubs off with age. The surface is radially wrinkled, as if crumpled. The skin is thin.

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 fairly crowded, notched where they meet the stem. In young mushrooms they are cream, clay-ochre in mature ones, turning rusty brown with age (because of the spore color). The spore print is rusty brown — typical of the genus Cortinarius. In young mushrooms the gills are covered by a thin cobweb-like veil (the cortina) — the main feature of the genus Cortinarius.

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.

The stem is 6-12 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical or slightly thickened toward the base. White to cream, with white mycelial fuzz at the base. It has a simple membranous ring in the upper part — a remnant of the partial veil. This ring is a diagnostic feature of the species that sets it apart from other Cortinarius.

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.

The flesh is firm, white, meaty. It does not change color when cut. It has a pleasant mushroomy aroma and a delicate nutty taste.

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.

Pleasantly mushroomy, with a note of fresh nuts. The taste is mild and delicate. One of the finest aromas among forest mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius.

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