Pungent Cort

Like all Cortinarius, C. traganus has a partial veil that covers the developing gills in juvenile specimens. The veil is clearly visible on this violet Cort. At this stage, the gills are brown. Later they will turn violet making older specimens of this species much like another violet Cort, C. camphoratus. One can then distinguish them my smell. Although the name C. camphoratus suggests a strong odour, it is this one that is the worse smelling of the two.