Cortinarius speciosissimus is a fairly rare but deadly poisonous mushroom. It is found from late summer to early winter in coniferous woodland.
Despite 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 some cases fatal consequences. This mushroom contains the toxin orellanine, which if eaten destroys the kidneys and liver. This is reportedly the poisonous mushroom collected in mistake for chanterelles by Nicholas Evans, famous author of (among other works) 'The Horse Whisperer' (subsequently made into a highly acclaimed film by Robert Redford) and 'The Loop.' Evans and three members of his family suffered serious kidney damage and were hospitalised in Scotland.
The initial symptoms of orellanine poisoning are usually delayed by two or three days, after which flu-like symptoms, headache and vomiting occur. Renal (kidney) failure follows and if not treated can result in death. Dialysis and other kidney and liver treatment if received quickly eniough 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.
Several other fungi from the Cortinarius genus are now known to contain the same toxin, and so most experts advise that no Cortinarius fungi should ever be eaten.
Identification guide |
