Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Cortinarius flabellus

Cortinarius flabellus (Fr.) Fr.

Gregarius (2) in mature Picea rubens forest under Abies balsamea and Betula alleghaniensis, Campobello Island, New Brunswick (23-09-16/01); densely gregarious amongst pleurozia and sphagna under Abies balsamea and Picea mariana, Little Lepreau, New Brunswick (09-09-06/03).

Basidiospores ellipsoidal to subdacryoid, 6.0-7.6 X 4.1-4.8 μm, D/d = 1.35-1.65.

Closely related to Cortinarius flexipes. It is distinguished from C. flexipes by its cap, which is mostly glabrous except for its marginal white scales and by its rather small rounded basidiospores. The photo of Collection 09-09-06/03 shows the scales particularly well. Its close similarity to C. flabellus has led to it being treated by many authors as Cortinarius flexipes var. flabellus, but Liimatainen et al., in a landmark publication on Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia (Fungal Diversity 104. 2020), have maintained it as a distinct species. Both taxa are characterized by a marked odour of Pelargonium (cultivated geranium) leaves.

Photograph: D. Malloch (23-09-16/01, 09-09-06/03)).