Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 7844497

Silvery-violet Cort

Cortinarius alboviolaceus

Also known as Silvery-violet Webcap, Pearly Webcap, Silver-violet Cortinarius

Silvery-violet Cort features a silky, pale lilac-to-silver cap that gradually ages to a dull brownish-buff color. Early in development, a delicate cobweb-like veil called a cortina protects the young gills, eventually trapping rust-brown spores as it breaks. This mushroom forms underground mycorrhizal partnerships with broadleaf trees, playing a vital role in forest soil nutrient cycles during late summer and autumn.

Silky CapMycorrhizalAutumn Mushroom
Silvery-violet Cort reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Mycorrhizal
Predators
  • Fungus gnats
  • Slugs
  • Squirrels
ThreatsHabitat destruction, soil compaction, broadscale deforestation
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, oak-beech forests, birch woods
Life span1–2 weeks (fruiting body)
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyCortinariaceae
  3. GenusCortinarius
  4. SpeciesCortinarius alboviolaceus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Many wild mushrooms contain dangerous toxins and look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Belongs to a genus notorious for containing deadly renal toxins like orellanine, which cause delayed kidney failure.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a silky, silvery-lilac cap, pale lilac gills that turn rusty brown, and a distinct cobweb-like cortina.
What to do
Safe to inspect at a close distance, but wash hands thoroughly after contact and never consume wild webcaps.
Responsible observation
  • Observe the cortina: Look underneath young caps for delicate, cobwebby threads holding rusty brown spores.
  • Check maturity: Note how the pale violet hues fade to dull brownish-buff as the mushroom ages.
  • Examine nearby trees: Identify surrounding broadleaf trees like oak or beech to confirm host context.
Related species
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