Today we are going to talk about a well-known mushroom, easy to recognize and quite good edibility. The one known as Violet foot or blue handle . ( Lepista saeva ). Its confusion with other species is not usual and if it is confused, it is with another of the same genus (the drunkard or Lepista nuda ) that is also edible. The characteristic violet colored foot is its clearest identity. An easy mushroom to learn, recognize and enjoy. 

VIOLET FOOT. AN EASY-TO-RECOGNIZE MUSHROOM

The garden in autumn has things to do, but from time to time it is good to get your head out of the ground (from our garden) and walk into the mountains for a while and change the land. So that? MUSHROOMS !! Sorry to shout but mycology fans are looking forward to this season of the year to go out with a razor basket, good smell, instinct and the odd GPS. Let’s see what characteristics the Violet Foot has

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VIOLET FOOT

HAT

Its diameter varies from 4 to 12 cm approximately, being its convex or slightly flat shape when mature. The cuticle of the hat is smooth, shiny and separates easily, being a creamy brownish or straw-colored color . It can have a slightly purplish tone on rare occasions but very rarely. It is not characteristic of the species.

SHEETS

They are white and somewhat cream in color when mature. They are consistent and have lamélulas (small laminae that do not reach the foot. They are embedded between the laminae (which are the ones that reach the foot).

PIE

It is short, between 2.5 and 6 cm and 1-2 cm in diameter. Fibrous and with the characteristic violet color. It is slightly claviform or bulbous, that is, it thickens as it goes down towards the foot. It is the only violet color of the carpophor. The hat and plates are not purple. For this reason it is easily recognizable.

SPORADIC

Blanca

TIME AND HABITAT

It usually appears in meadows and forests in autumn more towards the middle of the season or late, depending on the climate.

EDIBILITY

It is of good quality with mild slightly fruity and sweet aromas.

CONFUSION WITH OTHER SPECIES

As only the foot is purple, it is difficult to confuse with other species. There is a variety, as we have mentioned before (Lepista nuda) —the one known as borracha— which is whole violet, stem, plates and hat. It is also edible. The only confusion may be with some (inedible) cortinaries that have a purplish base and blades, although the latter quickly turn to rusty ocher.