MushieDeadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)
Deadly
The deadly webcap is an orange-brown, pointed-cap mushroom with rusty-brown spores. It destroys the kidneys and symptoms can be delayed for days.
| Scientific name | Cortinarius rubellus |
|---|---|
| Other names | Spitzgebuckelter Raukopf · Cortinaire rougeâtre · Deadly webcap |
| Family | Cortinariaceae |
| Season | Aug – Nov |
| Habitat | Acid soils among moss in conifer and birch woods |
| Range | Europe and North America |
| Spore print | Rusty brown |
| Smell | Faint, radish-like |
How to identify Deadly webcap
| Cap | Orange-brown to tawny, 3–8 cm, with a pointed central bump (umbo) |
|---|---|
| Underside | Rust-brown, widely spaced gills; a cobweb-like veil when young |
| Stem | Yellowish-brown, often with faint yellow bands, fibrous |
| Smell | Faint, radish-like |
| Spore print | Rusty brown |
Is Deadly webcap edible or poisonous?
Deadly. Contains orellanine, which damages the kidneys. Symptoms may only appear 2 to 20 days after eating, by which time permanent kidney failure can have occurred.
Deadly webcap look-alikes
Sometimes mistaken by beginners for chanterelles or other orange-brown mushrooms. Chanterelles have blunt ridges, not rust-coloured gills.
When does Deadly webcap grow?
Deadly webcap is typically found Aug – Nov in acid soils among moss in conifer and birch woods. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Deadly webcap edible?
No. Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) is deadly poisonous. Contains orellanine, which damages the kidneys. Symptoms may only appear 2 to 20 days after eating, by which time permanent kidney failure can have occurred. Never eat it, and call emergency services or a poison centre if you think someone has.
What does Deadly webcap look like?
Orange-brown to tawny, 3–8 cm, with a pointed central bump (umbo). Underside: rust-brown, widely spaced gills; a cobweb-like veil when young. Stem: yellowish-brown, often with faint yellow bands, fibrous.
What are the look-alikes of Deadly webcap?
Sometimes mistaken by beginners for chanterelles or other orange-brown mushrooms. Chanterelles have blunt ridges, not rust-coloured gills.
When and where does Deadly webcap grow?
Deadly webcap is usually found from Aug to Nov. Habitat: acid soils among moss in conifer and birch woods. Range: Europe and North America.
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Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Cortinarius rubellus. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.