Scarlet webcap (Cortinarius purpurascens)
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Cortinariaceae (Spiderwebs)
- Genus: Cortinarius (Webcap)
- Species: Cortinarius purpurascens (Scarlet webcap)
Crimson webcap (Cortinarius purpurascens) – a mushroom, which according to some sources belongs to the edible, belongs to the genus Cobwebs, the webcap family. The main synonym for its name is the French term Cortinarius purpurascens.
External description
The fruit body of the crimson spider web consists of a leg 6 to 8 cm long and a cap, the diameter of which is up to 15 cm. Initially, the cap has a convex shape, but in ripening mushrooms it becomes prostrate, sticky to the touch and flat. The flesh of the cap is characterized by its fiber, and the color of the cap itself can vary from olive-brown to reddish-brown, with a slightly darker color in the central part. When the pulp dries, the cap ceases to shine.
The mushroom pulp is characterized by a bluish tint, but upon mechanical action and cutting it acquires a purple color. The pulp of this mushroom, as such, has no taste, but the aroma is pleasant.
The girth of the mushroom stalk varies within 1-1.2 cm, the stalk is very dense in structure, at the base it acquires a tuberous swollen shape. The main color of the stem of the mushroom is purple.
The hymenophore is located on the inner surface of the cap, and consists of plates adhered to the stem with a tooth, initially having a purple color, but gradually becoming rusty-brown or brownish. The plates contain a rusty-brown spore powder, consisting of almond-shaped spores covered with warts.
Season and habitat
The active fruiting of the crimson spider web occurs in the autumn period. The fungus of this species can be found in mixed, deciduous or coniferous forests, mainly at the end of August and throughout September.
Edibility
Information about whether the scarlet spider web is edible is controversial. Some sources say that this type of mushroom is allowed to be eaten, while others indicate that the fruiting bodies of this mushroom are not suitable for eating, since they have low taste. Conventionally, the crimson spider web can be called edible, it is mainly eaten salted or pickled. The nutritional properties of the species have been little studied.
Similar types and differences from them
The crimson spider web is similar in appearance to some other types of spider webs. The main distinguishing features of the species is the fact that the flesh of the described mushroom, under mechanical action (pressure), changes its color to bright purple.
Photo of the mushroom Scarlet webcap from the questions in recognition:
2016.10.25 Axel
