Cortinarius purpurascens, the bruising webcap, is one of several purplish webcaps that can be difficult to distinguish from one another (see C. iodes, C. violaceus). The defining characteristics of these mushrooms are the web-like  cortina, bluish-purple color, along with gills that grow buff then rusty brown with maturity. This species has been recorded as edible, but is best regarded as "suspect" due to the dangerous toxins found in genetically similar webcaps.