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Wood blewit (Lepista nuda)
Stu's Images · CC BY-SA 3.0
Edible species

Wood blewit

Lepista nuda · Tricholomataceae

The wood blewit is one of the last mushrooms of autumn, with a lilac to purple cap, gills and stem.

FamilyTricholomataceae
SeasonSep–Dec
Spore printWhite to pale pink
Cap width4–15 cm
Records in Turkey63 records
CultivationWild only
StatusEdible species

The wood blewit is one of the last mushrooms of autumn, with a lilac to purple cap, gills and stem. It is known locally as mavi cincile around Bolu and as mor mantar around Karaman (Turkish folk names), and it goes into pastries (börek) and soups. Never eat it raw: it can upset the stomach. Do not confuse it with purple Cortinarius species.

Also called: blewit, blue foot Turkish: Mor mantar, mavi cincile Synonyms: Collybia nuda, Clitocybe nuda

Wood blewit

How to recognise it

Wood blewit, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: White to pale pink Faint aniseed smell; pleasant taste.

Cap — Wood blewit
Cap4–15 cm; lilac to purple-pink, convex when young, flat and darker with age.
Gills — Wood blewit
GillsGrey-violet, pale lilac or light brown; notched where they meet the stem.
Stem — Wood blewit
StemShort and stout, swollen at the base, fibrous; deep violet when young.

When and where

Sep–Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Decin season

The wood blewit fruits mostly from August to December in Europe, later in mild winters, and occasionally in any month. In Turkey, GBIF records fall in November–December.

Where do wood blewits grow?

The wood blewit grows in leaf litter of mixed woodland, under hedges, even on garden compost heaps, in both coniferous and broadleaf woods.

In Turkey

The wood blewit is known by local names and eaten around Bolu and Karaman.

  • İstanbul19
  • Ankara9
  • Diyarbakır7
  • Manisa4
  • Kırklareli3
  • Bolu3
  • Yozgat2
  • Elazığ2

63 observations on our map (GBIF, iNaturalist). Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest wood blewit observations

See on the map

In its habitat — Wood blewit
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Poisonous

Purple webcaps Cortinarius spp.

Many may be poisonous: cobweb-like veil remains under the cap, a ring zone on the stem and a rusty brown spore print. The blewit's print is white to pale pink.

Edible species

Field blewit Lepista saeva

Very similar but lacks the violet tint on the cap.

In the kitchen

Cooking with wood blewits

Storing wood blewits

Fresh · fridge3–7 daysKeep fresh wood blewits unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge; delicate species are at the short end. Source
FrozenA few monthsFreeze wood blewits cooked, not raw: sauté and cool them first. Source
DriedA few months – 1 yearKeep dried wood blewits in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Source

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Never eat it raw; it can cause mild poisoning or stomach trouble. Always cook it.

Grow it, buy it

Wood blewit price list

Wood blewit price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Fresh wood blewitsIn preparation · notify me—
Dried wood blewitsIn preparation · notify me—

Our prices for wood blewits are published when the product is ready; for now we take waiting-list sign-ups. The market column shows prices seen on other sellers' pages on the date given; they are not our prices and may have changed.

Grow kits →

Frequently asked questions

Are wood blewits edible?

Yes, the wood blewit is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty: it can be confused with purple webcaps (Cortinarius spp.). Never eat it raw; it can cause mild poisoning or stomach trouble. Always cook it.

When is wood blewit season in Turkey?

In our calendar, wood blewit season runs Sep–Dec. The wood blewit fruits mostly from August to December in Europe, later in mild winters, and occasionally in any month. In Turkey, GBIF records fall in November–December.

Where do wood blewits grow?

The wood blewit grows in leaf litter of mixed woodland, under hedges, even on garden compost heaps, in both coniferous and broadleaf woods.

Where are wood blewits found in Turkey?

The wood blewit is known by local names and eaten around Bolu and Karaman.

What can the wood blewit be confused with?

The wood blewit can be confused with purple webcaps (Cortinarius spp., poisonous) and field blewit (Lepista saeva, edible species). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is the wood blewit called in Turkish?

In Turkish, the wood blewit (Lepista nuda) is called Mor mantar; other local names include mavi cincile.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (4)
Photo credits (10)