Cortinarius alboviolaceus is a small to medium-sized mushroom with a violet cap and white gills. It typically grows in clusters on the ground in wooded areas. In East and Central Texas, it is often found in association with oak and pine trees, particularly in the fall season. The cap is 1-4 cm in diameter, convex to bell-shaped, and violet to lavender in color, fading to white or pale violet with age. The stem is slender, 2-6 cm long, and white to pale violet. This species is considered inedible due to its potential toxicity.
Webcap mushrooms Cortinarius alboviolaceus on Kirby Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Warren, Texas, November 10, 2018 Kirby Nature Trail, Kountze, TX 77625, USA
Group of webcap mushrooms Cortinarius alboviolaceus on Kirby Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Warren, Texas, November 10, 2018 Kirby Nature Trail, Kountze, TX 77625, USA
Webcap mushrooms Cortinarius alboviolaceus in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 23, 2018 Big Creek Trail, Shepherd, TX 77371, USA
Pearly webcap mushrooms (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) on a property at 5369 Farm to Market Road 770 near Kountze. Texas, November 9, 2019 Unnamed Road, Kountze, TX 77625, USA
Gills of pearly webcap mushrooms (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) on a property at 5369 Farm to Market Road 770 near Kountze. Texas, November 9, 2019 Unnamed Road, Kountze, TX 77625, USA
Webcap mushrooms Cortinarius alboviolaceus in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Warren, Texas, November 14, 2020 527 Co Rd 4777, Warren, TX 77664, USA
Underside of pearly webcap mushroom (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) collected at mushroom walk of Gulf States Mycological Society. Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, Texas, November 13, 2021 San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Pearly webcap mushroom (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) collected at mushroom walk of Gulf States Mycological Society. Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, Texas, November 13, 2021 San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Pearly webcap mushroom (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 21, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Cross section of pearly webcap mushroom (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 21, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of Cortinarius alboviolaceus were made in various locations across East and Central Texas. The fungus was found on Kirby Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve, Warren, Texas, on November 10, 2018, and again on November 14, 2020, in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, also in Warren. It was also spotted in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest, Shepherd, Texas, on November 23, 2018, and November 21, 2021. Additional sightings occurred near Kountze, Texas, on November 9, 2019, and at Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, Texas, on November 13, 2021. The observations included detailed notes on the appearance of the mushrooms, including their gills and cross-sections. The fungus was typically found in groups or individually in wooded areas, often in late fall.