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Cortinarius orellanus |
Cortinarius orellanus is found from late summer to early winter in woodland. Despite usually being a very different shape, the orange cap of this attractive mushroom has resulted in it being mistaken for Cantharelus cibarius, the highly prized edible chanterelle mushroom - with serious and in many cases fatal consequences. Cortinarius orellanus is a deadly poisonous species containing orellanine, which if eaten destroys the kidneys and damages the liver. The somewhat rarer Cortinarius speciosissimus contains the same toxin; this is the poisonous mushroom collected in mistake for chanterelles by Nicholas Evans, famous author of (among other works) 'The Horse Whisperer' (subsequently made into an acclaimed film by Robert Redford) and 'The Loop' - he and three members of his family suffered serious kidney damage and were hospitalised in Scotland. Dialysis and other kidney and liver treatment if received quickly enough can usually save the lives of people who eat these dangerous Cortinarius mushrooms - as it did in the case of Nicholas Evans, but full recovery is a long process. Identification guide |
Cap |
The tawny-brown to reddish-orange cap is at first convex, flattening at maturity but retaining a slight umbo; its surface is dry and slightly scaly, most noticeably in the centre of the cap. Cap diameter is typically 4 to 7 cm when fully expanded, and the margin is usually rolled down. |
Gills |
The widely-spaced gills, which are covered by a weakish cortina in young specimens, are pale yellowish at first, becoming red as the spores mature. |
Stipe |
The stem, which is often slightly bowed rather than straight, is usually slightly paler than the cap and sometimes retains fibres from the cortina, mottled with red; it is fibrous and has a curved base that tapers in slightly. The stem is typically 7 to 15 mm in diameter and 5 to 10 cm tall. |
Spore print |
Rusty reddish-brown. |
Odour/taste |
Slight smell of raddish. DO NOT TASTE EVEN A SMALL PIECE OF THIS MUSHROOM: it is deadly poisonous and even a small amount can cause fatal kidney and liver failure. |
Habitat |
Under hardwood trees (especially oak) and sometimes also under conifers. |
Season |
August to November. |
Occurrence |
Infrequent in the UK and northern Europe; more common in southern Europe. |