Dappled Webcap

Dappled Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) bolaris (Pers.) Fr. (illustrated 60% life size) Cap 3–5cm across, convex; covered in tiny, adpressed, pinkish to brick-red scales on a paler white, yellowish, or reddish ground. Stem 25–40×12–20mm; whitish at the apex, covered in tiny, fibrous, reddish scales below, bruising reddish or red-brown like cap; arising from orange-red mycelium. Flesh white in cap, ochraceous or yellowish in stem, becoming sulphur-yellow when cut, especially in stem base, finally deep red or red-brown, smell none or faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; pale yellowish-cream, later pallid cinnamon. Spores 6–7.5×4.5–5.5¼, broadly ovate to subglobose, punctate, rough. Spore print rusty cinnamon. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.