Fool’s Webcap

Fool’s Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) orellanus Fr. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 3–7cm across, bulbous when young, then clavate; pallid purplish; fibrillose. Stem cylindrical; warmly yellow, darkening to red-bronze. Flesh purple, especially near the exterior, turning red after two or three minutes when cut or bruised; taste slight or a touch bitter, smell distinctive. Gills adnate, distant; ochre at first then tawny, finally tinged rust. Spores 9–12×5–7¼, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Very rare. Deadly poisonous. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.