Scientific Name: Lepista nuda (Tricholomataceae). Syn Clitocybe nuda. 'Lepista' means 'goblet'; 'nuda' means 'naked'.
English Name: Wood Blewit (Knights and Funnels family).
French Name: Pied bleu (='blue foot').
5 Key Characters:
- bluish violet, going tan with age on the cap (gills and stem take much longer to change).
- caps turn concave with age.
- often grows in fairy rings.
- edge rolled under until quite mature.
- solid robust looking mushroom, not at all fragile.
Lookalikes: The violet coloured Cortinarius spp. Field Blewit Lepista saeva, which is not so common and does not have a violet cap.
Habitat: Leaf litter in deciduous and mixed forest, hedgerows, occasionally gardens.
Fruiting Period: August-September-October-November-December.
Status: Common and widespread.
Edible or Toxic? Edible and very popular in France, where they can be purchased from specialist producers. They must be cooked, and do not agree with everyone. Can be used to make a green dye if boiled in an iron pot.
Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
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| Wood Blewit on the left and Bruising Webcap Cortinarius purpurascens on the right. |
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