Cap 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, about ½ in. thick. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Minerva, Essex county. A form of this species occurs here, having the pileus merely downy or punctate-hairy under a lens, no squamules being distinguishable by the naked eye. July. Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores 12–14×10µ Cooke.
The spider web veil is exquisitely displayed in this species. This, with its strongly bulbous base and violet tinge throughout, easily mark it. Though usually solitary great numbers of it are found in its settlements. The mixed woods of central New Jersey abound with it in July, August and September. Throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia it is common, and is reported from several other states. In Redman’s woods, near Haddonfield, N.J., a densely clustered form of singular beauty occurs. A dozen individuals of various forms and sizes with swollen stems form a compact mass, rich in color, and cutting crisp and juicy as an apple. They are far better than other Cortinarii I have eaten. I have not seen it elsewhere.
C. violaceus is everywhere eaten, and is in my opinion the best of its genus. The American plant is not inodorous, but has a decided mushroom smell and taste.
Cortinarius albo-violaceus.
One-half natural size.
C. albo-viola´ceus Pers. Pileus fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded, sometimes broadly subumbonate, smooth, silky, whitish, tinged with lilac or pale violet. Lamellæ generally serrulate, whitish-violet, then cinnamon-color. Stem equal or a little tapering upward, solid, silky, white, stained with violet, especially at the top, slightly bulbous, the bulb gradually tapering into the stipe.
Height, 3–4 in.; breadth of pileus, 2–3 in.; stipe, 3–6 lines thick.