Cortinarius mucosus - Orange Webcap

Cortinarius mucosus - Orange Webcap

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Family: Cortinariaceae

Cortinarius mucosus is an occasional find. It grows on soil, usually in small groups or singly, in birch and conifer forests, nearly always on dryish acidic soil. This species is most often found in association with two-needle pines, with which it forms mycorrhizae.

The caps and veil filaments are very slimy and sticky, even in dry weather - an unusual characteristic that makes this one of the few orange-brown Cortinarius species that can be identified from macroscopic characters alone.

Identification guide

Cap of Cortinarius mucosus

Cap

The glossy mid-brown to orange-orange cap, darker towards the centre, is at first convex before flattening at maturity and sometimes developing a slight central depression.

Cap diameter is typically 6 to 9cm when fully expanded.
Gills and stem of Cortinarius mucosus

Gills

The adnate gills, which are covered by a slimy cortina in young specimens, are pale yellowish at first, becoming rusty brown as the spores mature.

Stem

The stem, which is almost white until the spores mature and begin falling, is typically 10 to 20mm in diameter and 6 to 12 cm tall.

Spore print

Rusty reddish-brown.

Odour/taste

Not distinctive.

Habitat

Under birch and coniferous trees (especially spruce).

Season

August to November.

Occurrence

Infrequent.