Contents
Gray-blue cobweb (Cortinarius caerulescens)
- Division: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Cortinariaceae (Spiderwebs)
- Genus: Cortinarius (Spiderweb)
- Type: Cortinarius caerulescens (Grey-blue cobweb)
Blue-gray cobweb (Cortinarius caerulescens) belongs to the Spider web family, is a representative of the Spider Web genus.
External Description
Blue-gray cobweb (Cortinarius caerulescens) is a large mushroom, consisting of a cap and a leg, with a lamellar hymenophore. On its surface there is a residual cover. The diameter of the cap in adult mushrooms is from 5 to 10 cm, in immature mushrooms it has a hemispherical shape, which then becomes flat and convex. When dried, it becomes fibrous, to the touch – mucous. In young cobwebs, the surface is characterized by a blue tint, gradually becoming light-buffy, but at the same time, a bluish border remains along its edge.
The fungal hymenophore is represented by a lamellar type, consists of flat elements – plates, adherent to the stem by a notch. In young fruiting bodies of mushrooms of this species, the plates have a bluish tint, with age they darken, becoming brownish.
The length of the leg of the bluish-blue cobweb is 4-6 cm, and the thickness is from 1.25 to 2.5 cm. At its base there is a tuberous thickening visible to the eye. The surface of the stem at the base has an ocher-yellow color, and the rest of it is bluish-violet.
Mushroom pulp is characterized by an unpleasant aroma, gray-blue color and insipid taste. The spore powder has a rusty-brown color. The spores included in its composition are characterized by sizes of 8-12 * 5-6.5 microns. They are almond-shaped, and the surface is covered with warts.
Season and habitat
The gray-blue cobweb is widespread in the territories of North America and in the countries of the European continent. The fungus grows in large groups and colonies, is found in mixed and broad-leaved forests, is a mycorrhiza-forming agent with many deciduous trees, including beech. On the territory of Our Country, it is found only in the Primorsky Territory. Forms mycorrhiza with various deciduous trees (including oaks and beeches).
Edibility
Despite the fact that the mushroom belongs to the rare category, and it can be seen infrequently, it is classified as edible.
Similar types and differences from them
Some scientists distinguish the name watery blue cobweb (Cortinarius cumatilis) as a separate species. Its distinctive feature is a uniformly colored bluish-gray hat. The tuberous thickening is absent in it, as well as the remains of the bedspread.
The described type of fungus has several similar species:
Mer’s cobweb (Cortinarius mairei). It is distinguished by white plates of hymenophore.
Cortinarius terpsichores and Cortinarius cyaneus. These varieties of mushrooms differ from the bluish-blue cobweb in the presence of radial fibers on the surface of the cap, a darker color, and the presence of remnants of the veil on the cap, which disappear with time.
Cortinarius volvatus. This type of mushroom is characterized by a very small size, a characteristic dark blue color. It grows mainly under coniferous trees.