Fool's webcap

Cortinarius orellanus

A species of Cortinar.

Cortinarius orellanus, commonly known as fool's webcap, exhibits a cap color that ranges from a rusty-orange to a vibrant red, often featuring a somewhat darker central area. Its densely packed gills undergo a color transformation, gradually acquiring a rusty hue as the mushroom ages. This species thrives in both deciduous and coniferous woodlands, frequently engaging in a mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients with living trees. Fool's webcap makes its appearance during the summer and autumn months and possesses a distinctly bulbous base, which is often hidden beneath fallen leaves.

Attributes of Fool's webcap

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Cap Diameter
3 - 8 cm
Height
5 - 12 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 8 cm diameter; concave, flattens with age; orange-brown; covered in fine, fibrous scales, become smooth
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Central Bump
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Gills
Adnate; light ochre-coloured, changing to a rust-brown with age
Stem
Stem 4 - 9 cm tall, 1 - 2 cm thick; tapering base; cap-colored or paler, yellowish at the top
Stem Shapes
Tapering
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Flesh
Firm; pale ochre
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Rusty reddish-brown
Odor
Mild radish-like scent.
Body Color
BrownYellowBronzeOrange
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
You can find Fool's webcap by these plants
Spruces, Oaks, Pines
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland, Coniferous Woodland
Species Status
Rare in Germany
Endangered Species
No

Scientific Classification of Fool's webcap

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Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
Cortinariaceae
Genus
Cortinar
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Toxicity and Edibility of Fool's webcap

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Is Fool's webcap Toxic?

The highly poisonous mushroom known as fool's webcap typically grows in deciduous forests in the fall. These mushrooms, recognizable by their brick-red caps, are extremely dangerous. Consuming fool's webcap can cause kidney pain, serious organ damage, elevated urea levels, and high blood pressure, potentially leading to the failure of the liver and kidneys. The symptoms, including severe thirst, headaches, and ultimately uremic vomiting, manifest late.

Toxins type
Orellanine
Type of poisoning
Nephrotoxic
Toxic Severity
Extreme toxicity
Incubation Period
2-17 days, 4-24 hours with potential early symptoms
Poisoning Symptoms
Intense thirst, parched mouth, aching head, renal discomfort, elevated urea, organ damage, high blood pressure, late stage uremic vomiting, liver and kidney destruction, transparent urine post kidney failure.

Is Fool's webcap Toxic to Dogs?

Fool's webcap can be dangerous to dogs. If your pet has consumed this mushroom, seek immediate veterinary attention. Symptoms may vary, but early intervention is crucial for the best outcome.