The Elegant Blue Webcap, Cortinarius salor, is a striking mushroom known for its vibrant coloration, particularly its deep blue-purple hues when young. This fungus belongs to the large genus Cortinarius, commonly referred to as webcaps.
Identifying the Elegant Blue Webcap
Cap
The cap of Cortinarius salor typically measures between 4 and 10 centimeters in diameter. When young, it starts as a hemispherical shape with edges turned inward, gradually flattening to a convex or nearly flat form as it matures. The cap’s surface is smooth and notably viscid, or slimy, particularly when wet. Its coloration is a bright blue-violet, which can fade with age, often developing ochre-yellowish or ochre-brown spots, especially towards the center.
Gills
Beneath the cap, the gills are thin and crowded, with an adnexed attachment, meaning they are narrowly attached to the stem. Initially, these gills share the cap’s purplish-blue hue. As the mushroom ages and its spores mature, the gills transition to a rusty brown color. A cobweb-like partial veil, known as a cortina, covers the gills in young specimens.
Stem
The stem of Cortinarius salor is generally cylindrical, measuring 5 to 12 centimeters in length and 1 to 1.5 centimeters in width. It is solid and can sometimes have a club-shaped base, which may be up to 3 centimeters thick. The stem’s surface is smooth and can also be sticky or slimy, similar to the cap. Its color is typically whitish to a faint purple-bluish, often becoming lighter towards the base. While lacking a true ring, a faint ochre-brown cord, a remnant of the cortina, may be visible near the stem’s apex.
Spore Print
A definitive identification feature for Cortinarius salor, and indeed for the entire Cortinarius genus, is its spore print. When spores are collected, they produce a rusty brown print. This color is due to the ochre-yellow, warty, and typically round spores produced by the mushroom.
Odor and Taste
The Elegant Blue Webcap generally has an unremarkable odor and a mild taste. Tasting any wild mushroom is highly discouraged due to significant toxicity risks.
Where and When to Find It
Cortinarius salor is commonly found in coniferous and mixed forests. This species forms a mycorrhizal relationship with trees, a symbiotic association where the fungus and tree roots exchange nutrients. It is particularly associated with conifers such as spruce and fir.
The fruiting season for the Elegant Blue Webcap typically spans from late summer through autumn. Its presence is noted across Europe and Asia, extending as far east as Japan and New Guinea, and also in the conifer forests of the North American Pacific Northwest.
Distinguishing From Similar Species
Identifying Cortinarius salor can be challenging due to the immense diversity within the Cortinarius genus, which comprises over a thousand species. Many other Cortinarius species also exhibit blue or purple coloration, making visual differentiation difficult. For instance, Cortinarius anomalus and Cortinarius muscigenus are considered similar species.
Distinguishing features often rely on subtle characteristics that can change with the mushroom’s age, such as the exact shade of blue, the presence and color of the cortina remnants, and the stickiness of the cap and stem. Microscopic examination of spores, particularly their shape and size, can also be necessary to differentiate between closely related species. For example, Cortinarius iodes and Cortinarius iodeoides, two other blue-capped Cortinarius species, require microscopic analysis for accurate identification.
Toxicity and Important Safety Notes
The Elegant Blue Webcap, Cortinarius salor, is considered a poisonous mushroom and must never be consumed. The Cortinarius genus is well-known for containing species with potent toxins, including orellanine, which can cause severe kidney damage. While Cortinarius salor is not specifically known to contain orellanine, it is still categorized as inedible and toxic.
Symptoms of orellanine poisoning, often associated with other Cortinarius species like Cortinarius orellanus and Cortinarius rubellus, can be delayed, appearing several days to weeks after ingestion. These symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and headaches, followed by signs of kidney failure such as immense thirst and reduced urine output. Foraging for wild mushrooms should only be undertaken by experienced individuals with expert knowledge. In the event of accidental ingestion of any wild mushroom, immediate medical attention is necessary, and poison control should be contacted without delay.