Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Cortinarius cf. semisanguineus

Cortinarius cf. semisanguineus (Fr.) Gillet

Picture of Cortinarius_chrysolitus 24-09-20/01

  • Gregarious (11) in mossy soil in a perhumid forest, associated with Abies balsamea and Betula cordifolia, Little Lepreau, New Brunswick (24-09-20/01).

    Pileus conic-turbinate at first, expanding to more broadly so at maturity, with a large rounded umbo, dry, very finely velvety-fibrillose, olivaceous yellow (HSV50:30:90) over a reddish brown (HSV10:30-40:70) ground colour, instantly black in 3% KOH, 15-25 mm in diameter. Stipe equal or tapering down slightly, dry, glabrous, pale yellow (HSV55:05:100) at the apex and bright yellow (HSV55:15-20:100), bright vinaceous (HSV330:30:90) at the base, 48-55 X 5-8 mm. Lamellae bright vinaceous red (HSV340:70:60), close, adnexed, not marginate. Cortina abundant, white. Universal veil yellow. Flesh dull pale yellow (HSV60:02-03:100) in the pileus and stipe, vinaceous in the outer layers of the stipe base, darkening in 3% KOH but without colour changes, with a raphanoid odour and taste. Fluorescence not seen on any part of the basidiomata.

    Basidiospores reddish brown in spore print, ellipsoidal,conspicuously roughened, with roughening especially pronounced near the apex, 6.0-7.2 x 3.9-4.5 μm, Q = 1.47-1.73 (average[50]: 6.6 x 4.1 μm, Q = 1.59). Hymenial cystidia none. Pileipellis a cutis of broad hyphae overlying a subpellis of narrower hyphae. Basidia 4-spored, with a basal clamp connection. Clamp connections present throughout.

    Cortinarius semisanguineus is recognized by its yellow brown pileus and bright red lamellae. It has been reported from from northern regions throughout the world. More recent molecular studies on fungi referable to C. semisanguineus reveal that there are several species that are very similar in appearance to one another and are difficult to distinguish on the basis of morphological features. These species include C. cruentiphyllus, C. ominosus, C. phoeniceus, C. semisanguineus and C. smithii. Hence the cf. (compare with) for Collection 24-09-20/01.

    Photograph: D. Malloch (24-09-20/01).