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Orange or apricot-yellow cobweb belongs to the category of rare mushrooms and is one of the representatives of the Cobweb family. It can be recognized by its glossy surface and apricot-yellow color of the cap. It is most often found in small groups, less often alone. In official directories it is listed as Cortinarius armeniacus.
Description of the orange webweed
Orange spiderwort prefers proximity to spruce trees and acidic soil
This species has a standard fruiting body shape. Therefore, its cap and leg are clearly expressed. But in order not to make a mistake with your choice when picking mushrooms, you should study the features of their appearance.
Description of the cap
The upper part of the orange cobweb is initially convex, and subsequently opens up and becomes flat. In some specimens, a tubercle is sometimes retained in the center. The diameter of the upper part can reach 3-8 cm. The hat has the ability to absorb moisture. After rain, it begins to shine and becomes covered with a thin mucous layer. When dry it has an ocher-yellow tint, and when moistened it becomes orange-brown.
With high humidity, the mushroom cap becomes glossy
On the reverse side there are frequent brown-brown plates attached to the teeth. During the ripening period, the spores acquire a rusty-brown hue.
The spores are elliptical in shape and densely covered with warts. Their size is 8-9.5 x 4.5-5.5 microns.
Description of the leg
The stem is cylindrical, widened at the base, with a weakly defined tuber. Its height reaches 6-10 cm, and its cross-sectional diameter is 1.5 cm.
The leg maintains a dense structure throughout the entire growth period
The surface is silky white with barely noticeable light bands. When cut, the flesh is dense without any voids.
Where and how does it grow
This species prefers to grow in coniferous forests, but to a greater extent in spruce forests. The fruiting season begins at the end of July and lasts until the beginning of October.
Widely distributed in Eurasia and North America.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Orange cobweb is considered conditionally edible. Therefore, it should be eaten only after preliminary boiling for 15-20 minutes. Then you can stew, marinate, bake, combining with other mushrooms and vegetables.
Doubles and their differences
There are several mushrooms that are similar in appearance to the orange cobweb. Therefore, in order not to make mistakes when collecting, you need to know their characteristic differences.
Doubles:
- Peacock cobweb. Poisonous mushroom. It can be recognized by its brick-orange scaly cap with ragged edges. The leg is dense and strong, the flesh is fibrous and odorless. The lower part is also covered with scales. Grows in mountainous areas near beech trees. The official name is Cortinarius pavonius.
The cap of this species remains dry even in high humidity.
- Slime cobweb. It belongs to the category of conditionally edible, therefore it requires pre-processing. It is characterized by a large cap size and a large amount of mucus on it. The color of the upper part is brown or brown. The leg is spindle-shaped. Grows in pine and mixed forests. The official name is Cortinarius mucifluus.
The mucus of this species even flows down the edge of the cap.
Conclusion
The orange cobweb is not often found in the forest, so it is not particularly popular among mushroom pickers. In addition, few can distinguish it from inedible species, and therefore, to avoid mistakes, they avoid it.
