Deadly webcap

Cortinarius rubellus

A species of Cortinar.

The perilous Cortinarius rubellus, commonly known as the deadly webcap, thrives in cooler, northern regions. This sturdy mushroom, with its appealing reddish-brown cap, harbors a potent toxin that can be lethal, targeting the kidneys and liver. Regrettably, its hue often leads to its misidentification as the highly sought-after and edible chanterelle. A notable instance of this error involved the widely publicized hospitalization of Nicholas Evans, the acclaimed author of The Horse Whisperer.

Attributes of Deadly webcap

ShroomSnap: Instant Mushroom ID & Safety Guide

Photo ID, Toxicity Alerts, and Deep Fungi Insights: Edibility, Medicine, Foraging Tips & More. Identify with Confidence!

Try for Free
Cap Diameter
3 - 9 cm
Height
5 - 12 cm
Cap
Cap 2.5 - 8 cm across; conical to convex, umbaonate; tawny to reddish orange; surface smooth
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Central Bump
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Gills
Ocher to rusty brown
Stem
Stem 6 - 11 cm long, 5 - 15 mm thick; tawny to reddish orange; with veil remains
Stem Shapes
Club Shaped
Stem Surfaces
With Reticulum
Flesh
Cream or pale yellow, tan
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Rusty brown
Odor
Faintly reminiscent of radish.
Body Color
BrownYellow
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 Deadly webcap by these plants
Spruces, Pines
Occurence Habitats
Coniferous Woodland
Species Status
Uncommon
Endangered Species
No

Scientific Classification of Deadly webcap

PlantJoy APP

AI mushroom expert in your pocket

Try for Free
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
Cortinariaceae
Genus
Cortinar
⚠️

Toxicity and Edibility of Deadly webcap

ShroomSafe: Identify & Forage

Your Essential Guide to Edible vs. Toxic Mushrooms. Forage with Confidence!

Try for Free

Is Deadly webcap Toxic?

The Deadly Webcap mushroom is highly toxic to the kidneys, presenting significant dangers to human health. Ingesting it can lead to severe symptoms such as extreme thirst, pain in the kidneys, elevated urea concentrations, delayed onset of uremic vomiting, and critical harm to internal organs, particularly affecting the liver and kidneys. A consequence of kidney failure is the production of clear urine. This fungus is identifiable by its unique physical characteristics, which differentiate it from harmless types. You can usually encounter the Deadly Webcap in diverse environments, its presence varying with the time of year and environmental factors.

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 Deadly webcap Toxic to Dogs?

Deadly 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.

More Mushrooms That Are Similar to Deadly webcap