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Cobweb anomalous or unusual – one of the representatives of the Spider web family. Grows in small groups or singly. This species got its name, like all its closest relatives, thanks to the veil-like transparent web, which is present along the edge of the cap and on the stem. It is especially noticeable in young specimens, and in adult mushrooms it is only partially preserved. In the reference books of mycologists, this fungus can be found as Cortinarius anomalus.
What does an anomalous cobweb look like
The cobweb cover (cortina), inherent in this species, has a purple hue
The fruit body has a classic shape. This means that his hat and leg have clear outlines and boundaries. But in order to be able to distinguish between the anomalous cobweb among other species, it is necessary to study in more detail the features and its external characteristics.
Cap Description
The upper part of the anomalous cobweb initially has the shape of a cone, but as it grows older, it flattens and the edges become curved. Its surface is dry, silky smooth to the touch. At a young age, its main color is gray with a brown tint, and the edges have a purple tint. In mature specimens, the color of the cap changes and becomes red-brown.
The diameter of the upper part of the anomalous cobweb is 4-7 cm. When broken, the flesh has a whitish tint without a characteristic mushroom smell.
The consistency of the cap is watery loose
From its inner side, you can see a lamellar hymenophore. In young specimens, it is a gray-purple hue, and subsequently acquires a brown-rusty color. The plates of the anomalous cobweb are wide, often located. They grow to the leg with a tooth.
The spores are broadly oval, pointed at one end. Their surface is completely covered with small warts. The color is light yellow, and the size is 8-10 × 6-7 microns.
Description of the leg
The lower part of the mushroom is cylindrical. Its length is 10-11 cm, and its thickness is 0,8-1,0 cm. At the base, the leg thickens and forms a small tuber. Its surface is smooth and velvety. The main shade is gray-yellow or white-buff, but closer to the upper part it changes to grayish-blue.
In young specimens, the leg is of a dense consistency, but as it matures, voids form inside it.
Where and how to grow
All cobwebs prefer to grow in wetlands in moss. And this species can also develop on a litter of needles and foliage and directly in natural soil. Because of this feature, he got his name “abnormal” – because it grows in unusual places for cobwebs.
This species can be found in the temperate climate zone, in coniferous and deciduous plantings. The fruiting period is from August to September.
The anomalous cobweb can be found in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as in Morocco, the USA and the island of Greenland.
In Our Country, cases of finds have been recorded in the following areas:
- Chelyabinsk;
- Irkutsk;
- Yaroslavskaya;
- Tverskaya;
- Amur.
And also the fungus is found in Karelia, Primorsky and Krasnodar Territories.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The anomalous cobweb is considered an inedible species. Special studies in this area have not been carried out, so it is impossible to talk more specifically about the degree of danger. But, in order to avoid possible health complications, it is strictly forbidden to eat even a small piece of this mushroom.
Twins and their differences
Adult specimens of the anomalous cobweb are difficult to confuse with other species. And at an early stage it is quite possible.
Existing twins:
- Cobweb oak forest or changing. An inedible member of the common family. Its upper part is initially hemispherical, and later becomes convex. The color of the fruit body in young specimens is light purple, and when ripe it changes to red-brown. The official name is Cortinarius nemorensis.
At high humidity, the hat of the cobweb is covered with mucus
- Cobweb cinnamon or dark brown. An inedible twin, the cap of which is initially hemispherical, and then prostrate. The color of the fruiting body is yellowish-brown. The leg is cylindrical, in young mushrooms it is whole, and then becomes hollow. The pulp has a light yellow tint. The official name is Cortinarius cinnamomeus.
The flesh of the cinnamon cobweb has a fibrous structure.
Conclusion
The anomalous cobweb is not of particular interest to experienced lovers of quiet hunting, as it is an inedible species. Therefore, when collecting, beginners need to be especially careful so that this mushroom does not accidentally fall into the general basket. Eating it, even in small quantities, threatens with serious health complications.
