Cortinarius alboviolaceus - Паутинник бело-фиолетовый - White-veiled Cortinarius

Cortinarius alboviolaceus - Паутинник бело-фиолетовый - White-veiled Cortinarius - Weißfilziger Schleimkopf 9/13/14—9/10/15

Cortinarius alboviolaceus, also known as the white-veiled cortinarius, is a basidiomycete fungus that is widely distributed in temperate forests throughout North America and Europe. This mushroom is mycorrhizal, meaning that it forms a mutually beneficial relationship with trees and other plants. The cap of C. alboviolaceus ranges from 3-10cm in diameter and is convex to flat, with a smooth surface. Its stem is usually about 5-10cm long and is tough and fibrous. The gills are initially white and covered with a silky veil, but become dark purple as the mushroom matures. The spore print of C. alboviolaceus is rusty brown, and the spores themselves are elliptical and ornamented with small bumps, typically measuring 8-10µm in length. Chemically, C. alboviolaceus contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including toxins and psychoactive substances. Some studies have shown that this fungus has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. C. alboviolaceus is often found growing in mixed forests, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including old-growth and second-growth forests. It is distributed throughout North America and Europe. In addition to its ecological and medicinal importance, C. alboviolaceus is also of interest to mycologists due to its taxonomic complexity. This species is part of a group of closely related fungi that are difficult to distinguish from one another. Overall, Cortinarius alboviolaceus is an important and fascinating fungus with a wide range of potential uses in scientific research and traditional medicine. However, due to its toxic and psychoactive properties, it should be handled with caution by those without proper training.