Lepista

Lepista is a genus of gilled mushrooms in the order Agaricales, commonly known as blewits. It includes several species, among which the best known are Lepista nuda, the wood blewit, and Lepista nebularis, the field blewit. The genus is characterized by mushrooms with fleshy fruiting bodies that often show lilac to brownish hues, especially in the cap and stem.

Morphology typically features a cap that is smooth or slightly viscid, ranging from pale to lilac-brown as it matures, with gills that are closely spaced and often lilac-pink at first, darkening with age. The stem tends to be sturdy and may bear a lilac tinge. The spore print is pink to lilac, which helps distinguish blewits from many other mushrooms. Size can vary from medium to fairly large specimens.

Ecology and distribution: Lepista species are saprotrophic, feeding on decaying leaf litter, wood debris, and other organic matter in woodland and grassy habitats. They fruit in temperate regions from late summer to autumn and have a cosmopolitan distribution, including Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Environmental conditions such as moisture and temperature influence their appearance.

Edibility and safety: Wood blewit (Lepista nuda) is considered edible when properly cooked, but some individuals experience digestive upset or allergic reactions. As with all wild mushrooms, accurate identification is essential to avoid mistaking poisonous look-alikes. Foragers should consult reliable field guides and, when in doubt, refrain from consumption.

Taxonomy and notes: The genus has undergone reclassifications in some taxonomic systems, and species placement can vary by authority. Lepista remains closely associated with other pink-spored, lilac-tinted mushrooms in field guides and culinary references.