Blewit Mushrooms

Wood Blewit
(Clitocybe nuda, formerly Lepista nuda)

Wood Blewits are delightful gourmet mushrooms that graces woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows, and gardens from autumn through winter, typically appearing between October and February.

Description of Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits are edible mushrooms, characterized by its lilac to blue hues, is prolific from October to February, thriving in colder temperatures below 17 degrees Celsius. The cap starts lilac/blue and matures to a more brownish tone, while the gills remain lilac, purple, or blueish, becoming paler with maturity. The stem is typically bluey-purple, fibrous, and can be stout or thin, sometimes slightly bulbous at the base. The flesh mirrors the cap and gill colours, ranging from purple to blue. It's crucial to note that Wood Blewits must be cooked before consumption.

Habitat and Identification of Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits are saprobic, flourishing in leaf litter in woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows, and gardens. They are easily distinguishable from potentially confusing species by their distinctive lilac colouring. Careful identification is necessary to avoid confusion with similar Cortinarius species, and a spore print of off-white to pale pink aids in accurate identification.

Culinary Use of Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits are not only aesthetically pleasing but also versatile in the kitchen. They can be used for various dishes, drying well, and possessing a mushroomy and strong, slightly perfumey taste. Best suited for sautéing and pairing with meats, cheese, rice, and pasta, they maintain their distinctive bluish colour when young.

Distribution and Seasonality of Wood Blewits:

Common and widespread across Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe, North America, and beyond, Wood Blewits are found in leaf litter in deciduous and mixed woodlands. They thrive from August to December but can sporadically appear throughout the year.

Medicinal Significance of Wood Blewits:

Under laboratory conditions, Wood Blewits have demonstrated some anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycaemic, and antimicrobial effects.

Ecological Role of Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits are saprotrophic fungi that play a vital role in forest ecosystems by decomposing organic material such as leaf litter and woody debris. This decomposition process recycles nutrients back into the soil, supporting plant growth and maintaining soil health.

Cultivation of Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits can be successfully cultivated, both outdoors and indoors. They thrive on composted organic matter, wood chips, and leaf mold. For indoor cultivation, they can be grown using grain spawn on a substrate of pasteurized straw or sawdust.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Wood Blewits:

Historically, Wood Blewits have been popular in various culinary traditions, especially in European cuisines where they are appreciated for their distinct, aromatic flavour. They are also sometimes used medicinally in traditional practices, although this is less common today.

Conservation Status of Wood Blewits:

Currently, Wood Blewits are not considered endangered, but their habitats can be threatened by intensive forestry practices and urban development. Sustainable harvesting and habitat conservation are essential to maintain their populations.

Safety Notes for Wood Blewits:

Wood Blewits may cause mild gastric intolerance in some individuals, and caution is advised when harvesting from roadside grass verges due to potential exposure to traffic-related toxins.

Wood Blewit Look alikes:

Care must be taken to distinguish them from similar-looking Cortinarius species and other lookalikes like the Clouded Agaric and the Sordid Blewit.

In conclusion, the Wood Blewit is not only a visually appealing mushroom but also a culinary delight with potential medicinal properties, making it a fascinating subject for foragers, mycologists, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Field Blewit (Lepista saeva - also known as Clitocybe saeva))

Field Blewits, scientifically known as Lepista saeva (also recognised as Clitocybe saeva), are edible mushrooms thriving in the autumn and winter months. They are safe for novice foragers due to the absence of look-alikes in the UK.

Identification of Field Blewits:

The cap of Field Blewits is greyish-brown to beige, smooth, and initially convex, later flattening with an inrolled margin. The gills are white, off-white, or flesh-coloured, and the stem is off-white with a blue/lilac, vertically fibrous covering, often chunky, short, and swollen at the base. The flesh is thick and white/off-white. Typically found in pastureland and grassland, they may appear in fairy rings or groups.

Distribution and Habitat of Field Blewits:

Fairly common in Britain and Ireland, Field Blewits are found in calcareous grassland, occasionally in woods. They form fairy rings and groups. They are also reported in mainland Europe and North America. Their preferred habitat makes them distinct from the Wood Blewit.

Seasonality of Field Blewits:

Field Blewits are most plentiful from September to November, persisting through January in mild winters. The frequency is uncommon, and they withstand winter conditions unless exposed to a harsh frost.

Culinary Use of Field Blewits:

Considered good edible mushrooms, Field Blewits have a firm texture and a slightly nutty flavour. Best when well-cooked, they pair well with pale meats such as veal, pork, or chicken. They also complement cheese, rice, pasta dishes, and are suitable for omelettes.

Ecological Role of Field Blewits:

Field Blewits are important decomposers in grassland ecosystems. They break down dead plant material, releasing nutrients into the soil and enhancing soil fertility. They often grow in pasturelands and meadows, sometimes forming "fairy rings."

Cultivation of Field Blewits:

Field Blewits can be cultivated similarly to Wood Blewits, preferring nutrient-rich substrates such as composted manure or straw. Outdoor cultivation in garden beds or grassland areas simulates their natural growing conditions.

Historical and Cultural Significance: Field Blewits have a long history of use in European cuisines, noted for their mild, nutty flavour. They are often used in sautés, soups, and stews, and are highly esteemed in French and Italian cooking.

Conservation Status: Like many wild mushrooms, Field Blewits are not currently at risk but face habitat loss due to agricultural development and changes in land use. Maintaining traditional pasturelands and meadows is crucial for their conservation.

Safety Notes for Field Blewits:

Caution is advised as they may upset some people's stomachs.

Harvesting from roadside grass verges, where toxins may accumulate, is not recommended. Possible confusion with purple-stemmed Webcap (Cortinarius) species, but they are distinguishable by spore deposits and habitat preferences.

In conclusion, Field Blewits, with their distinct characteristics and culinary appeal, present an exciting opportunity for foragers. Their safety for novice foragers and unique habitat preferences make them a fascinating subject for exploration and culinary experimentation.

Sordid Blewit (Lepista sordida)

The Sordid Blewit, scientifically known as Lepista sordida, is an intriguing mushroom with a range of characteristics, from its distinctive appearance to its culinary uses.

Identification of Sordid Blewits:

Cap: The cap of the Sordid Blewit is thin-fleshed, initially convex and lilac, turning tan brown from the center as it ages. It ranges from 3 to 8cm in width, often developing a central depression and a slightly wavy margin.

Gills: Lilac when young, the crowded gills fade to buff with age and can be sinuate or emarginate, attached to the stem at the very top with a slight notch.

Stem: The lilac, downy stem reaches 4-6cm in length and 0.5-0.8cm in width. There is no stem ring, and the base is very downy.

Flesh: Lilac, turning brown with age.

Smell: Perfumed/floral.

Spore colour of Sordid Blewits:

Pale cream to pale pink.

Habitat and Season of Sordid Blewits:

The Sordid Blewit is commonly found from summer to winter, thriving in leaf litter and compost heaps. It grows as individual specimens or in groups and has been reported to form rings.

Distribution of Sordid Blewits:

Fairly common and widespread in Britain, Ireland, and mainland Europe, Lepista sordida is also reported in North America.

Though not at the top of the culinary hierarchy, Sordid Blewits have the advantage of being available long after other popular edible fungi have disappeared, making them a noteworthy addition to foraging endeavours.

Culinary Uses of Sordid Blewits:

Edible when fully cooked, the Sordid Blewit has a strong fragrant flavour. It is recommended to taste a small piece and wait 24 hours for any adverse reactions, especially for first-time consumers.

Ecological Role of Sordid Blewits:

Sordid Blewits decompose organic matter in a variety of habitats, including forests and grasslands. Their role in nutrient cycling is similar to that of other Blewits, contributing to soil health and fertility.

Cultivation of Sordid Blewits:

Although less commonly cultivated, Sordid Blewits can be grown on organic substrates like wood chips, compost, and straw. They require similar conditions to other Blewits, with a preference for cool, shaded environments.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Sordid Blewits:

Sordid Blewits have culinary uses similar to other Blewits. They are edible and appreciated for their flavour, though they are less well-known. In some cultures, they are used in local dishes and traditional medicine.

Conservation Status of Sordid Blewits:

Sordid Blewits are not currently considered endangered. However, like other fungi, their habitats can be threatened by deforestation, urbanisation, and pollution. Sustainable practices and habitat protection are important to ensure their continued proliferation.

Safety Notes for Sordid Blewits:

Sordid Blewits can grow on roadside grass verges, potentially accumulating traffic-related toxins. Harvesting from the sides of busy roads is advisable to avoid potential hazards.

Similar mushrooms include Mycena pura/rosea, purple Cortinarius species, and the deadly Lilac Fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina). The Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda) is closely related but distinguishable, being slightly more robust with a thicker stem and cap flesh.