How to identify Tawny Webcap, Golden Webcap

To correctly identify Tawny Webcap, Golden Webcap (Cortinarius croceus), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The cap is typically 2-5 cm in diameter, and is a tawny-brown color. It is covered in a fine, velvety layer of hairs, and has a slightly sticky surface.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills of Cortinarius croceus are attached to the stem and are crowded and narrow. They are initially a pale brown color, but become darker with age.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is usually 3-7 cm tall, and is the same color as the cap. It is covered in a dense network of cobweb-like strands called a cortina, which often breaks down into a rusty-brown ring on the stem.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh of this mushroom is white, and has a slightly bitter taste. It is not recommended to eat this mushroom, as it is considered to be toxic.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   Cortinarius croceus is a mushroom with a cap, gills, and stem.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Cortinarius croceus is a fairly common mushroom found in deciduous woodlands in Europe and North America. It is often found growing in groups, or even clusters, near the bases of trees.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Fibrous, Sticky

Growth Form

Solitary, Clustered

Spore Print

Rusty-brown

Body color

Brown, Yellow

Odor

Mild

Flesh bruises

No

Height

3-7 cm

Cap Diameter

2-5 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnate
• Stem shape: Cylindrical
• Stem surface: Fibrous, Velvety
• Ring: Cortina, Absent
• Stem cross-section: Solid

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