Goliath Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) praestans (Cordier) Gillet (illustrated 45% life size) Cap 8–20cm across, convex to semi-spherical, margin inrolled; chestnut-brown or foxy coloured, sometimes with more violaceous tints, margin with white patches; sticky to slimy, margin often wrinkled. Stem 20–50×8–15mm, base swollen to bulbous; white with violaceous tints. Flesh white to pallid; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; whitish or pallid grey-violaceous, finally clay-brown. Spores 12–16×8–9¼, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Said to be edible but I would avoid it, many Cortinarius contain toxins.
