Lilac Brown Cortinarius (Cortinarius orellanus)

The Lilac Brown Cortinarius (Cortinarius orellanus) - Fool’s Webcap is one of the most dangerous mushrooms found in Europe and is responsible for severe and sometimes fatal poisonings. It contains the toxin orellanine, which primarily attacks the kidneys. What makes this species especially dangerous is the extremely delayed onset of symptoms - illness may not appear for 2 to 14 days after ingestion. During this silent period, irreversible kidney damage can already be occurring. By the time symptoms develop, medical intervention becomes far more complicated, and permanent kidney failure is possible.

This mushroom grows in woodland and can easily be overlooked due to its relatively plain brown appearance. It is sometimes mistaken for edible woodland species such as chanterelles or other brown-capped mushrooms. Unlike brightly coloured warning mushrooms, the Fool’s Webcap does not look particularly dramatic or threatening, which increases the risk for inexperienced foragers. Because there is no simple household method to neutralise its toxins, and because of the severe long-term damage it can cause, it should always be strictly avoided.

---

Identification Features:

• Cap colour orange-brown to rusty brown
• Cap surface dry, matte and slightly fibrous
• Cap starts convex, flattening slightly with age
• Gills are cinnamon to rusty brown
• Gills are attached to the stem
• Young mushrooms show a cobweb-like veil (cortina)
• Leaves rusty fibres or bands on the stem
• Stem is slender, brownish to orange-brown
• No true ring present
• Flesh is pale brownish
• Spore print is rusty brown
• Grows in deciduous woodland, especially with beech and oak
• Fruits late summer to autumn in the UK and Europe
• Usually found singly or scattered

---

Foraging Safety:

• Extremely poisonous - never eat
• Contains orellanine, which causes delayed kidney failure
• Symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks
• Early symptoms may include:
• Thirst
• Headache
• Nausea
• Followed by:
• Reduced urine output
• Severe kidney damage
• Cooking, drying or freezing does NOT destroy the toxin
• Beginners should avoid:
• All Cortinarius species
• All rusty-spored woodland mushrooms
• Very easy to misidentify
• Never rely on:
• Colour alone
• Smell
• Habitat alone
• If ingestion is suspected:
• Seek urgent medical attention immediately
• Inform doctors about possible mushroom poisoning
• Best practice:
• Learn to recognise Cortinarius and leave them alone

---

---