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Fool’s webcap (Cortinarius orellanus)
Claude PAGE · CC BY-SA 4.0
Deadly poisonous

Fool’s webcap

Cortinarius orellanus · Cortinariaceae

The fool's webcap is an unremarkable-looking orange-brown forest mushroom, but the orellanine it contains causes kidney failure and often irreversible kidney damage.

FamilyCortinariaceae
SeasonAug–Nov
Spore printRusty reddish-brown
Cap width3–6 cm
Records in TurkeyNone yet
CultivationWild only
StatusDeadly poisonous

The fool's webcap is an unremarkable-looking orange-brown forest mushroom, but the orellanine it contains causes kidney failure and often irreversible kidney damage. In 1952, 102 people were poisoned in Poland and 11 died. In Austria it was eaten by people who took it for chanterelles.

Also called: fools webcap Turkish: Ölümcül perdeli mantar

Fool’s webcap

How to recognise it

Fool’s webcap, part by part

No volva Spore print: Rusty reddish-brown Slight smell of radish. Do not taste even a small piece.

Cap — Fool’s webcap
Cap3–6 cm (rarely 8); orange-brown with fine fibrous scales, flattening and smoothing with age.
Gills — Fool’s webcap
GillsThick and light ochre, turning rusty brown with age.
Stem — Fool’s webcap
StemYellowish-orange fibrous stem.
Ring — Fool’s webcap
RingA cobweb-like veil (cortina) when young, leaving a rusty zone on the stem.

When and where

Aug–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Augin season
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Dec

The fool's webcap fruits from late summer to early winter (August–November in Britain). There are no GBIF records of it from Turkey.

Where do fool's webcaps grow?

The fool's webcap grows in broadleaf woods under beech, hornbeam and oak, often near pines, on both alkaline and acidic soils.

In Turkey

There are no geo-referenced records of the fool's webcap in Turkey; it is known from central and eastern Europe. The lack of records does not mean the species is absent from Turkey.

Our map has no observations of fool's webcaps from Turkey yet.

See on the map

In its habitat — Fool’s webcap
In its habitat
In its habitat — Fool’s webcap
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What is it mistaken for?

Fool’s webcap
Fool’s webcap
Chanterelle
Chanterelle
Edible species

Chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius

The chanterelle has thick ridges running down the stem instead of true gills, a pale yellow print and an apricot scent; the webcap has true gills and a rusty brown print.

Toxins

The active toxin of the fool's webcap is orellanine, a potent kidney toxin. Source

Frequently asked questions

Are fool's webcaps poisonous?

Yes, the fool's webcap is deadly poisonous and must never be eaten. Orellanine targets the kidneys and the damage is often permanent. If you think it has been eaten, call 112 (Turkish poison centre: 114) without waiting for symptoms.

When is fool's webcap season in Turkey?

In our calendar, fool's webcap season runs Aug–Nov. The fool's webcap fruits from late summer to early winter (August–November in Britain). There are no GBIF records of it from Turkey.

Where do fool's webcaps grow?

The fool's webcap grows in broadleaf woods under beech, hornbeam and oak, often near pines, on both alkaline and acidic soils.

Where are fool's webcaps found in Turkey?

There are no geo-referenced records of the fool's webcap in Turkey; it is known from central and eastern Europe. The lack of records does not mean the species is absent from Turkey.

What can the fool's webcap be confused with?

The fool's webcap can be confused with chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius, edible species). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is the fool's webcap called in Turkish?

In Turkish, the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) is called Ölümcül perdeli mantar.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (3)
Photo credits (10)