Cortinarius olympianus

Cortinarius olympianus A.H. Sm., Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium 2: 13 (1939

Description
Cap 30-65 mm wide, glutinous, convex and flat profile, without umbo, margin persistently inrolled, pale violet to lilac, deeper lilac at margin, pale lilac grey to tan to almost white at center of the disc when dry (purple tones return when rehydrated), Stipe 40 – 70 mm long, 11 – 20 mm wide at apex, pale lavendar, with stronger lilac tones at stipe apex, equal with abrupt marginate bulb, somewhat triangular in section, Gills pale pinkish lilac when young, pallid lilac-brown when mature KOH on cap and bulb bright pink, no rx on flesh Habitat: mixed conifer, old growth forest. Spores: 8.5-10.2 (8-) (-10.7) microns long and 5-6.2 wide (4.76-).

Discussion:
This species is easily identifiable by pink-lilac-violet colors on gill and cap, stature of low convex cap and marginate bulb. Even when faded to almost white, the cap has a finely spongy (almost puffy) texture and distinctive bright pink KOH reaction. It is an uncommon but lovely Pacific Northwest species. It is in Cortinarius section Calochroi.

Bibliography
Liimatainen, K., T. Niskanen, B. Dima, I. Kytövuori, J.F. Ammirati, and T.G. Frøslev. “The Largest Type Study of Agaricales Species to Date: Bringing Identification and Nomenclature of Phlegmacium (Cortinarius) into the DNA Era.” Persoonia : Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi 33 (December 2014): 98–140. https://doi.org/10.3767/003158514X684681.

Schmidt-Stohn, Geert, Tor Erik Brandrud, and Bálint Dima. “Cortinarius Caesiocinctus and Cortinarius Cobaltinus, a Poorly Known Pair of Sister Species,” Journal des J.E.C. no 20, p. 3 – 21, 2018

Smith, A.H. 1939. Studies in the Genus Cortinarius. I. Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium. 2:5-42