Broadleaf and coniferous forest, often with beech and oak, in troops

Edible but insignificant; watch for poisonous lookalikes (e.g. violet Cortinarius species)

• ▸ Intense violet colour over the whole fruit body when fresh
• ▸ Waxy, widely spaced thick gills
• ▸ Fibrous, tough stem
• ▸ Colour fades quickly to pale tan as it ages or dries

The common name refers to how easily the violet colour 'deceives' — once faded, the mushroom blends into the forest floor and is easy to overlook.