Key Identification Features
- Lilac to purple-gray cap (5–15 cm, fading to tan with age), crowded lilac-pink gills, short stout lilac stem, mealy/floury aroma. Grows in compost, leaf litter, and forest edges. Color fades significantly with age and weathering — young specimens most distinctive.
Preparation Notes
Must cook thoroughly — causes GI upset when raw. Good flavor; use in sautés, soups, pasta. Some people are sensitive even cooked.
Regions Found
- Northeast
Look-Alikes
No documented look-alikes on record.
Safety disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Never eat a wild mushroom based solely on online information. Always verify identification using multiple reliable field guides and, when possible, consult an experienced forager or mycologist. When in doubt, don't eat it. Spore & Scout accepts no responsibility for identification errors or adverse reactions.