Cortinarius caperatus

Cortinarius caperatus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Cortinariaceae
Genus:	Cortinarius
Species:	C. caperatus
Binomial name
Cortinarius caperatus (Pers.) Fr. (1838)
Synonyms
Rozites caperata (Pers.) P. Karst. Pholiota caperata (Pers.) Gillet Dryophila caperata (Pers.) Quél. Togaria caperata (Pers.) W.G. Sm.

Species of fungus

Cortinarius caperatus Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex or umbonate
	Hymenium is adnate
	Stipe has a ring
	Spore print is ochre to brown
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is choice

Cortinarius caperatus is an edible mushroom of the genus Cortinarius found in northern regions of Europe and North America. It was known as Rozites caperata for many years before genetic studies revealed that it belonged to the genus Cortinarius. The fruit bodies appear in autumn in coniferous and beech woods as well as heathlands in late summer and autumn. The ochre-coloured cap is up to 10 cm (4 in) across and has a fibrous surface. The clay-colored gills are attached to the stipe under the cap, and the stipe is whitish with a whitish ring. The Latin specific name, caperatus, means wrinkled, and refers to the distinctive texture of the cap. The flesh has a mild smell and flavor.

Popular with mushroom foragers, C. caperatus is picked seasonally in throughout Europe. Although mild-tasting and highly regarded, the mushrooms are often infested with maggots. In central Europe, old specimens could be confused with the poisonous Inosperma erubescens in summer. Fruiting bodies of C. caperatus have been found to bioaccumulate mercury and radioactive isotopes of caesium.