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Spiderweb abnormal or unusual - one of the representatives of the Spiderweb family. Grows in small groups or singly. This species got its name, like all its closest relatives, thanks to the veil-like transparent web, which is present along the edge of the cap and on the leg. It is especially noticeable on young specimens, and only partially preserved in adult fungi. In the reference books of mycologists, this mushroom can be found as Cortinarius anomalus.
What an abnormal spider web looks like
The fruit body has a classic shape. This means that his cap and leg have clear outlines and borders. But in order to be able to distinguish the abnormal webcap among other species, it is necessary to study in more detail the features and its external characteristics.
Description of the hat
The upper part of the anomalous spider web initially has the shape of a cone, but as it grows, it flattens, and the edges become curved. Its surface is dry, silky smooth to the touch. At a young age, its main color is gray with a brown tint, and the edges are purple. In mature specimens, the cap color changes and turns reddish-brown.
The diameter of the upper part of the abnormal spider web is 4-7 cm. When broken, the pulp has a whitish tint without a characteristic mushroom smell.
From its inner side, you can see the lamellar hymenophore. In young specimens, it is a gray-lilac shade, and subsequently acquires a brown-rusty color. The plates of the spider web are abnormally wide, often located. They grow with a tooth to the leg.
The spores are broadly oval, pointed at one end. Their surface is completely covered with small warts. The color is light yellow, and the size is 8-10 × 6-7 microns.
Leg description
The lower part of the mushroom is cylindrical. Its length is 10-11 cm, and its thickness is 0.8-1.0 cm. At the base, the leg thickens and forms a small tuber. Its surface is smooth velvety. The main shade is gray-fawn or white-ocher, but closer to the upper part it changes to grayish-blue.
Where and how it grows
All cobwebs prefer to grow in wetlands in moss. And this species can also develop on a litter of needles and foliage and directly in natural soil. Because of this feature, it got its name "anomalous" - for the fact that it grows in unusual places for cobwebs.
This species can be found in a temperate climatic zone, in coniferous and deciduous plantings. The fruiting period is from August to September.
Anomalous webcap can be found in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as in Morocco, the United States and Greenland.
In Russia, cases of finds were recorded in the following areas:
- Chelyabinsk;
- Irkutsk;
- Yaroslavl;
- Tverskoy;
- Amurskaya.
And also the mushroom is found in Karelia, Primorsky and Krasnodar Territories.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Anomalous webcap is considered an inedible species. Special studies in this area have not been carried out, therefore, it is impossible to speak more specifically about the degree of danger. But in order to avoid possible health complications, it is strictly forbidden to eat even a small piece of this mushroom.
Doubles and their differences
Adult specimens of anomalous spiderweb are difficult to confuse with other species. And at an early stage it is quite possible.
Existing counterparts:
- Cobweb oak or changing... Inedible member of the common family. Its upper part is initially hemispherical, and later becomes convex. The color of the fruit body in young specimens is light purple, and when ripe changes to red-brown. The official name is Cortinarius nemorensis.
- Cobweb cinnamon or dark brown... An inedible double, the cap of which is initially hemispherical, and then prostrate. The color of the fruiting body is yellowish brown. The stem is cylindrical, in young mushrooms it is whole, and then becomes hollow. The pulp has a light yellow tint. The official name is Cortinarius cinnamomeus.
Conclusion
Anomalous webcap is not of particular interest for experienced lovers of quiet hunting, as it is an inedible species. Therefore, when collecting, special care must be taken for beginners so that this mushroom does not accidentally fall into the general basket. Eating it, even in small quantities, threatens with serious health complications.