Ascomycetes | Basidiomycetes | Classifications | Fruit Body Structure | Slime Molds
Cortinariaceae
This is a very large family. Some of it's members live on wood others are terrestrial, (from ground). Their spore prints are generally brown, but various shades of brown are common
Group: Cortinarius
Members of this group are known for the presence of a cobwebby veil known as
'The Cortina', this veil often leaves hairs on the stalk which become most
visible when dusted with spores. Most live on the ground.
Cortinarius Alboviolaceus
Found at Lake Waikeramoana on May 10, 2001 at the a5th Annual New Zealand
Fungal Foray.
Quite a sight. The slimiest cap surface ever and the most beautiful purple
colour to the gills and stem. Large Mushroom and quite abundant.
Cap: 5-10cm in diameter. Umbonate, the umbo is brown while the margin
is tan to beige in colour. Cap Surface very gelatinous.
Gills: Bright purple in colour. Free from stalk.
Spore print: Brown.
Stalk: 5-9cm tall and about 1.5-2cm thick. Smooth and purple in
colour with a white base.
Habitat: On ground.
Edibility: I don't know!!
Cortinarius Ochroleacus
Found in July, 2000.
Cap: White-tan in colour. Dry, smooth surface. About 1.5-2cm in
diameter, (can be up to 8cm).
Gills: Same colour as the cap, turning brown at maturity. Closely
packed and deep, attached to stalk and running down it slightly.
Spore print: Rusty brown. (see Picture)
Stem: White-tan. Thicker at the connection with the gills. About 4mm
thick and 5-6cm tall.
Edibility: Unknown (i.e. DON'T EAT IT!!)
Group: Gallerina & Tubaria
Members of this group are usually small to minute in size. Caps are
sometimes slimy when moist and striate to the margin. They can be found
growing on wood or ground. The stem is usually hollow, thin and fragile. A
partial veil is present on some. Spore prints are various shades of brown.
Gallerina
Mycenopsis
Found in July, 2000.
Cap: Light brown to orange brown with a waxy appearance when moist.
Distinctly striate. Has a notch on the center which is darker in colour than
the rest of the cap. 1-1.2cm in diameter.
Gills: Similar in colour to the cap but slightly paler and attached
to the stalk.
Spore print: Light-Orange brown. (click on link below to see spore
print)
Stem: Darker in colour than the cap especially towards the base.
About 3mm thick and 3-4 cm high.
Edibility: Unknown (i.e. DON'T EAT IT!!!)
Group: Inocybe
This group has a brown spore print. Usually terrestrial. Stalk central
without a partial veil or if present then, like the family Cortinariaceae,
cobwebby.
Inocybe Calamistrata (Scaly Inocybe)
Found at Tangoia Falls on December 15, 2000 growing from ground amongst
Shaggy manes.
Cap: 1-4cm in diameter. Bell shaped and covered in brown scales or
hairs on a paler background.
Gills: Rusty brown but supposed to be white when young.
Spore print: Brown.
Stem: Same colour as cap but less scaly than the cap!!5-6 cm tall and
about 0.4-0.5 cm thick.Partial veil absent or appears to be. Volva or cup
absent.
This mushroom is uncommon, in some books it is
considered rare.
Edibility: unknown, however there is a study claiming it contains traces of psilocybin (Don't eat it!!)
WARNING
Different people react differently to different mushrooms.
NEVER eat a wild mushroom without being 100% sure it is safe to do so.
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Last Update
7 Feb 2007