Cortinarius cyanites  Fr. 1838                                             Collections: Sweden and North America

Cortinarius cyanites is a very variable species. The most easily recognizable form as portrayed in the lioterature has very dark blue gills, but in reality, younger fruitbodies have much lighter colored gills. This species can be confused with the group around C. purpurascens, but the context discoloration combining strong reddish purple tinges on the lower surface, as well as the general tendency towards blackening of older material are quite diagnostic. Also, the spores of this species are larger and the context does not react with iodine.
Typical context discoloration of C. cyanites.

Spores: 8.5-10 x 5.2-6µ  with a fairly rough surface