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Such a conditionally edible mushroom, like the cobweb violet, is not so common in the forests of our country, which is not surprising, because it is included in regional and federal lists of endangered species, as well as in the Red Book. He got his name for a characteristic, very bright and saturated color, in which both his hat and leg are painted. Usually a flashy appearance in nature is a real synonym for danger - it’s enough to recall such a poisonous mushroom known to everyone since childhood as red fly agaric. But they have rules for them to have exceptions - in this case, this role went to the purple cobweb, more details about which you will find in this article.
Description
The cobweb violet (in scientific Latin known as Cortinarius violaceus) is an inedible, but conditionally edible mushroom, which can be eaten, but with great care and only in the most extreme case. In any case, this is not recommended, since the mushroom is not only very interesting and beautiful, but also extremely rare, as evidenced by the fact of its official entry into the Red Book. And certainly it’s not worth hunting for him on purpose.
The plates in the underside of the cap are quite thick and wide, rarely located, having first dark purple, and then, by the time the spores mature, a purple brown color. Young specimens at the bottom of their hats have a web-like delicate white veil. The taste of the mushroom is neutral, the same can be said about its smell - it is almost completely absent. The pulp can be described as soft and brittle, colored in violet, bluish or violet-gray color. With age, it fades, gradually becoming whitish.
The leg of the fungus, equipped with the remains of a spider webs, is also painted in purple or brown purple color, to the base having a lighter shade. Made in the form of a club with longitudinal fibers, depending on the age and growing conditions of the environment, it reaches a width of 10-20 millimeters, and a height of 60-120 millimeters.
Spread
In our country, such a rare and endangered conditionally edible mushroom, like the cobweb violet, most often grows in coniferous and deciduous forests. In the northern zone of temperate climate, it can be found in a state of symbiosis with the roots of the usual trees - pine and spruce, birch and oak, beech and many others. The mushroom is found not only in Russia, but also in many foreign habitats located in the vastness of North America, Europe or Japan.
Maturation of this variety of cobwebs occurs in the transition period, from summer to autumn, usually carried out in late August and early September. The mushroom willingly settles on mossy soil, acidic and humic soil, so the chances of stumbling upon it next to a swamp are much higher than meeting it in the middle of a forest edge.Violet spider web grows in different ways, both in a stand-alone form and as part of small groups, usually choosing the roots of coniferous or deciduous trees as their "home".
Similar views
Despite the fact that such a characteristic, bright and saturated violet color is not so common among the mushrooms common in our country, there are at least two species similar to this species of cobweb - edible amethyst varnish, also known as lilac, and conditionally edible violet rowing. These two mushrooms can be eaten after thorough boiling in boiling water.
In addition, in nature there are some species similar in color to a cobweb, painted in a wide range of shades, from lilac to blue - they are all inedible, even if they are not poisonous. To distinguish a real purple cobweb from them is quite simple - for this you need to carefully look under the hat - the plates should have the same color as the rest of its surface, and from above there should be either a web-like coverlet or its remains. Another distinctive feature is the clearly visible bands located around the legs.
Eating
Is it possible to eat a purple cobweb? It is possible, but it would be much more correct to simply photograph this beautiful and extraordinary creation of nature as a keepsake, and pass by - perhaps, by doing so, you will help him not disappear at all. Sometimes nature throws people really exciting and interesting puzzles like this one, which stands out as a bright spot against the background of a plain green picture of the forest. Usually, such colors cause quite justifiable fears among mushroom pickers - is it possible that such a color will become a salvation on the way to complete disappearance?
Video: Cobweb Purple (Cortinarius violaceus)
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