Species library · Mushrooms

Viscid Violet Cort: poisonous

Cortinarius iodes

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Viscid Violet Cort is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from August to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Viscid Violet Cort (Cortinarius iodes)

Photo: (c) Charles de Martigny, some rights reserved (CC BY) · iNaturalist

When Viscid Violet Cort appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Viscid Violet Cort is usually found in Woodland.

Look up Viscid Violet Cort in the app

In the Forage app, Viscid Violet Cort has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Viscid Violet Cort: common questions

Is Viscid Violet Cort poisonous?

Yes. Viscid Violet Cort is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Viscid Violet Cort appear?

Viscid Violet Cort usually appears from August to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Viscid Violet Cort grow?

Viscid Violet Cort is usually found in Woodland.

What can Viscid Violet Cort be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly Webcap, Fool's Webcap, Gassy Webcap. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits