An ongoing study
Recent work on Cortinarius section Leprocybe (Ammirati et al, 2020) has described many new species and given us new insight on the diversity of North American species. One of these is Cortinarius arosquamosus, discussed here.
Cortinarius armeniacus is not often collected in our region, but is likely overlooked due to inconspicuous colors and general neglect of Cortinarius species. It can be recognized by the smooth to shiny, hygrophanous yellow to chestnut-brown cap with white margin, firm whitish-drab stipe and convex cap with low umbo
Cortinarius fructuodorus is best recognized by the Cortinarius traganus-like fruity pear odor for which it is named, overall brown (or slightly purple-brown tones) and spores in the range of 8.5-10 x 5.0-6.0 microns. This species is one of several larger pale Telamonia in our region which need further study.
Cortinarius pitkinensis is a yellow-to-orange gilled Dermocybe known to occur at higher elevation in mossy drainages. It is likely to be misidentified as Cortinarius croceus or Cortinarius cinnamomeus - the most widely known names for yellow and orange-gilled Dermocybe. As it happens, there are many similar species which are challenging to differentiate.
Cortinarius trappei - Ammirati, Liimat. & Niskanen 2014 Description:Pileus: 15-35 mm across, convex, sub-umbonate to umbonate, margin straight to inrolled when young, surface moist to dry, burgandy to red-brown, or dull tan when dry, typically covered with fine, appressed bronze (pale orange-brown) veil remnants. Gills: Close, burgandy to rich wine-red, becoming dark brown in age.... Continue Reading →
An olive-yellow Cortinarius with yellow gills, and obliquely marginate bulb, described from Austria. While there are several bright yellow Cortinarius species that occur in conifer forest, for our PNW region consider also Cortinarius metarius, Cortinarius cupreorufus and Cortinarius picea.
Cortinarius neofurvolaesus is a medium to large red-brown to brown species in subgenus Telamonia. It is a close relative to Cortinarius sordidemaculatus (= Cortinarius furvolaesus) and has a similar brown spots or bruising with age. Neither species shows purple tones. Cortinarius neofurvolaesus appears slightly more slender, has lighter red-brown tones and in my observation a more pale and less bulbous stipe.
Cortinarius sordidemaculatus means "dirty / sordid" "spotted". It is recognized by the fibrilose dark brown cap, medium size, lack of violet tones with dark black-brown spots and bruising.
Cortinarius occidentalisagacitas Liimat., Niskanen, Kytöv. & AmmiratiIndex Fungorum 438: 6 (2020) Description:Pileus: 15-50 mm wide, convex with small, acute umbo in younger speciments, warm orange brown to russet, hygrophanous. Lamellae: Adnexed, pale orange buff, orange brown to warm cinnamon brown. Stipe: 30-60 mm long, 4-10 mm at apex, equal, pale apricot-brown (ochraceous buff / yellow-brown).... Continue Reading →
Consider Cortinarius glaucocephalus when you find a glutinous dark, blackish to blue-green or highly variable Phlegmaciod with distinctively streaked cap, and somewhat yellow-brown disc in mature specimens.
North American Cortinarius Collections 