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Blewit
(Clitocybe nuda)

From THE WILD VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK
Blewit
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Blewitt sculpture

Blewit

Sculpture, acrylic paint by "Wildman"
This fragrant, bluish-tinged mushroom (the name blewit comes from the words blue hat) has a violet-gray cap that is 2 to 6 inches across. It begins convex, flattens, and ends slightly funnel-shaped.

Blewitt, side view

Blewit, side view

The blue color of this relatively long-lived mushroom tends to fade over time.
The broad, violet buff gills connect to the stem with a notch. The spores are white.

Blewitt from below

Blewit, from below

The gills curve upward and form a notch where they connect to the stalk.
The violet gray stalk is 1 to 3 inches long and 3/8 to 1 inch across, with a bulbous base.
Blewitt, from below

Blewit, from below

Note the bulbous base, and the bluish tinge throughout.

Look for the blewit in composted soil and evergreen debris from late summer through late fall throughout North America (or late fall to late winter in California).

The poisonous silver violet cortinarius (Cortinarius alboviolaceus) is similar, but it has brown spores that eventually darken the gills (which are protected by a cobweb-like veil when young), plus a faint ring zone around the mature stem.

The iris-scented clitocybe is less robust and lacks the tinges of blue of the blewit, but it's also a chice edible.

One of the most prized of wild mushrooms, the blewit is so strong tasting, it overpowers some people's palates. You may prepare it simply with few other ingredients, or include it in a recipe with many strong-flavored ingredients. Its rich flavor and meaty texture will always shine through. And virtually any cooking method suits this choice fungus. Cook the cap and stem for 15 to 20 minutes.