cortinarius semisanguineus

Appearance

The cap is campanulate , and later flattens, but retains a broad umbo . It is usually between 2–5 cm across, brownish ochre, or umber and with a darker centre. It is covered in fine fibrils, and is dry. The stipe is usually the same colour as the cap or paler, and is smooth, or finely fibrillose like the cap. It is long, slim, and cylindrical. Cortinal remnants often left on the stem in this species can be quite fleeting. The gills are adnate, markedly sinuate, and fairly crowded. They are initially blood-red, but turn cinnamon-brown on aging, giving a spore print of the same colour. The flesh is said to smell of radishes, and it is ochre in the stem, but more olive in the cap.

Naming

''Cortinarius ominosus'', ''C. purpureus'', and ''C. tinctorum'' are similar.

''C. phoeniceus'', has a redder cap, and more distinct red cortinal remnants around the stem.

Distribution

''Cortinarius semisanguineus'' appears in conifer, or mixed conifer, and birch woods in autumn . It is occasional in Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, and common in parts of North America. It has a mycorrhizal relationship with birch trees , and other coniferous softwood trees. It is often abundant under young spruce in plantations on acid soil, appearing from September to November.

Habitat

''Cortinarius semisanguineus'' appears in conifer, or mixed conifer, and birch woods in autumn . It is occasional in Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, and common in parts of North America. It has a mycorrhizal relationship with birch trees , and other coniferous softwood trees. It is often abundant under young spruce in plantations on acid soil, appearing from September to November.

Uses

''Cortinarius semisanguineus'' can be used as a dye for textile yarns.