23-430: The Orellani are a group of seven related species in the genus Cortinarius that have been classified as a section of the subgenus Leprocybe or a subgenus in their own right. They are among world's most poisonous mushrooms as they contain the highly toxic compound orellanine . The best-known species are the deadly webcap ( Cortinarius rubellus , formerly also known as C. speciosissimus or C. orellanoides ) and
46-458: A group known as the Orellani , all of which are highly toxic—eating them results in kidney failure , which is often irreversible. The mushroom is generally tan to brown all over. Cortinarius orellanus was first described by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries in his 1838 book Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici seu Synopsis Hymenomycetum . It is one of seven highly toxic species that make up
69-494: A pale web between the cap and the stem. Sometimes parts of this web can be seen as a yellow ring on the stem or at the edge of the cap. The fruiting body of the mushroom blossoms from mid-summer to late autumn. Cortinarius rainierensis , described in 1950 by Alex H. Smith and Daniel Elliot Stuntz from material collected Mount Rainier National Park , is a synonym. Spore color : Rusty brown to orange Cap : 3–8.5 cm (1.2–3.3 in), concave Gills : Similar to those of
92-413: A rust-brown with age as the spores mature. They have an adnate or sinuate connection to the stipe. The stipe is 4 to 9 centimetres ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) tall, and 1 to 2 centimetres ( 3 ⁄ 8 to 3 ⁄ 4 in) thick with a tapering base. It is the same colour or slightly paler than the cap, and is yellowish at the top. There are occasionally fragments of
115-473: A single lineage, but lies within Cortinarius so the consensus has been to sink it into the larger genus. Cortinarius orellanus Cortinarius rutilans Quél. Dermocybe orellana (Fr.) Ricken Cortinarius orellanus , commonly known as the fool's webcap or fools webcap , is a species of deadly fungus in the family Cortinariaceae native to Europe. Within the genus it belongs to
138-511: Is orellanine . One important feature of Cortinarius orellanus's natural history is its toxicity, which is linked to the presence of orellanine, a strong nephrotoxin. The research publications provide strong evidence for this claim, especially the one by Judge et al. (2010) that describes cases of chronic renal failure brought on by consumption of orellanine-containing Cortinarius mushrooms. Judge, B. S., Ammirati, J. F., Lincoff, G. H., Trestrail III, J. H., & Matheny, P. B. (2010). Ingestion of
161-469: Is a globally distributed genus of mushrooms in the family Cortinariaceae . It is suspected to be the largest genus of agarics , containing over 2,000 widespread species. A common feature among all species in the genus Cortinarius is that young specimens have a cortina (veil) between the cap and the stem, hence the name, meaning curtained . Most of the fibres of the cortina are ephemeral and will leave no trace once gone, except for limited remnants on
184-469: The Blewit mushroom ) and should therefore be researched before consumption. However, some species—notably the species, Cortinarius praestans and Cortinarius caperatus —are edible and appreciated in several European cuisines. The toxin in Cortinarius species, orellanine , is easy to detect because it is fluorescent. It has been found in at least 34 Cortinariaceae. Molecular studies of members of
207-451: The chanterelle , or hallucinogenic mushrooms . Extreme care should be taken when picking mushrooms like the cleaned funnel chanterelles as these mushrooms share the same habitat as the deadly webcap and the fool's webcap. In Poland during the 1950s there was a small epidemic where over 100 people became ill. What caused the illness remained a mystery until 1952 when Polish physician Stanisław Grzymala discovered that everyone suffering from
230-417: The fool's webcap , C. orellanus . The mushrooms' characteristics are quite common, making them difficult to identify, which often leads to fatal poisonings. Young examples of the species often have a veil between the cap of the mushroom and the stem. This veil looks like a cobweb, hence the name. The veil however partially or completely disappears in older specimens. Some other characteristics for each of
253-448: The gills in younger specimens and usually disappears leaving little to no trace of itself as the mushroom grows. The spores of a Cortinarius mushroom are rust brown to brownish red in color. It is usually possible to identify a mushroom as being a member of the genus, but extremely difficult to positively identify the species as many of the species are nearly identical. All mushrooms in this genus form mycorrhizae . Many mushrooms in
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#1732779750563276-601: The kidneys ), and eventually decreased or nonexistent urine output and other symptoms of kidney failure occur. If left untreated, death will follow. There is no known antidote against orellanin poisoning, but early hospitalization and treatment can sometimes prevent serious injuries and usually prevent death. If you suspect orellanin poisoning, seek emergency medical attention. Both of these mushrooms can be confused with each other and many incidents of mushroom poisoning have occurred where inexperienced mushroom hunters have confused these mushrooms with edible mushrooms , such as
299-508: The orellani , a subgenus within genus Cortinarius . Cortinarius orellanus has a concave cap of 3 to 6 centimetres ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 to 2 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) diameter, though rare specimens reach 8 centimetres ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) across. The cap flattens with age. In colour, it is an orange-brown, and is covered in fine, fibrous scales but become smooth with age. The cap surface turns black with potassium hydroxide. The thick gills are light ochre-coloured, changing to
322-414: The deadly webcap Location : Common throughout Europe, rare in the northern parts of Europe. Has been observed as far north as southern Norway Habitat : In forests, around trees where the soil is alkaline or acidic Other details : Young specimens of the fool's webcap also contain a web between the cap and the stem that partially or completely disappears as the specimen ages. The deadly webcap and
345-528: The fool's webcap both contain the toxin orellanin and orellin, orellinin and Cortinarin A, B, C. A characteristic of orellanin poisoning is the long latency; the first symptoms usually don't appear until 2–3 days after ingestion and can in some cases take as long as 3 weeks. The first symptoms of orellanin poisoning are similar to the common flu ( nausea , vomiting, stomach pains, headaches , etc.). These symptoms are followed by early stages of kidney failure (immense thirst, frequent urination, pain on and around
368-412: The genus Rozites , including its most famous member R. caperata , have shown them nested within Cortinarius and have been sunk into this genus. This genus was erected on the basis of a double veil, yet its members do not form a discrete lineage and lie nested within Cortinarius . Hence the genus is no longer recognised. Some consider the subgenus Dermocybe to have generic status. It does form
391-435: The genus, for example Cortinarius sanguineus and other species in section Dermocybe , are colourful and are often used for dyeing . Several mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius are poisonous , mainly because they cause acute tubulointerstitial nephritis . Some are even lethal , such as Cortinarius rubellus and Cortinarius orellanus . Many Cortinarius varieties can be mistaken for other edible mushrooms (such as
414-856: The illness, which by then had claimed several lives, had eaten the mushroom Cortinarius orellanus . The LD 50 of orellanin in mice is 12–20 milligrams per kilogram (0.00019–0.00032 oz/lb) body weight. From cases of orellanine-related mushroom poisoning in humans it seems that the lethal dose for humans is considerably lower. Several more mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius are suspected to contain orellanin or other deadly toxins. Among them are Cortinarius callisteus and Cortinarius limonius . Nicholas Evans , author of The Horse Whisperer , his wife Charlotte Gordon Cumming , and two other relatives were accidentally poisoned in September 2008 after consuming Cortinarius rubellus and/or Cortinarius speciosissimus that they gathered on holiday. Although
437-561: The mushrooms are given below. Spore color : Rusty brown to orange Cap : 3–7 cm rusty brown to orange. Often has a steeper and darker colored elevation at the top of the cap, but this varies greatly from specimen to specimen Gills : Wide gaps between the gills which can be, but are not necessarily, connected to the stem Location : Rare, but common in temperate parts of northern Europe . Has been encountered as far north as Finnish Lapland. Habitat : pine woods with acidic soil Other details : Young specimens contain
460-498: The pale yellow veil (cortina) attached to its lower half. The firm flesh is pale ochre. It smells slightly of radishes when cut and has no strong taste. Cortinarius orellanus occurs in central and eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia), though is rare in Germany. It is occasionally found in southern Britain. It grows in deciduous forests under beech, hornbeam and oak, often near pine trees. The danger of C. orellanus
483-478: The poisoning was non-lethal, Evans and the others suffered severe renal damage and had to undergo kidney dialysis . All four victims were informed that they would require kidney transplants in the future. Several years later, Evans received a kidney donated by his daughter, Lauren. Keeler, R. F. (1991-03-01). Handbook of Natural Toxins: Toxicology of Plant and Fungal Compounds . CRC Press. ISBN 9780824783754 . Cortinarius Cortinarius
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#1732779750563506-404: The stem or cap edge in some species. All have a rusty brown spore print . The common names cortinar and webcap refer to members of the genus. Due to dangerous toxicity of several species (such as Cortinarius orellanus ) and the fact that it is difficult to distinguish between various species of the genus, non-expert consumption of mushrooms from the genus is discouraged. The veil protects
529-573: Was uncovered in 1957, after (in 1952) 102 people fell ill after eating it in Bydgoszcz , Poland. Eleven of the victims died. Since then, cases of poisoning have been recorded in France, Switzerland, and Germany. In 1997, four people suffered renal toxicity after mistaking C. orellanus for the edible and prized chanterelle in Austria, where wild mushroom picking is popular. The relevant toxin
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