Distribution: Broad
Habitat: Abundant in the far-western mountane and boreal regions, but is much less frequent in the Rocky Mountains.
Conservation Status: Not of concern
C. traganus coloration is peculiar in that the cap and stipe are pale lilac to blue-lilac, as is the veil, however, the gills are brown-yellow and the flesh is mottled saffron to brown-yellow. It has a fruity odor, although for some people this is hard to detect. Sometimes the cap develops white sectors, and C. t. form ochraceus M. M. Moser, Ammirati & Seidl completely lacks lilac colors. C. traganus is similar to C. camphoratus Fries, a completely blue-violet species with a very strong disagreeable odor, not unlike rotting potatoes.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Cortinarius traganus in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database
CalPhotos: Cortinarius traganus photos