The Orange-Burnt Webcap (Cortinarius orellanoides) – A Treacherous Twin in the Forest

🌲 Introduction

The forest is full of colors, but not everything that shines is safe. The Orange-Burnt Webcap (Cortinarius orellanoides) is one of those mushrooms that deceive with its warm, fox-orange appearance. At first glance, it looks harmless—even inviting—but it is highly poisonous. Closely related to the deadly Fool’s Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), this species can cause fatal poisonings. Its greatest danger lies in how easily it can be mistaken for edible mushrooms.

🔎 Identification Features

The Orange-Burnt Webcap is a small to medium-sized mushroom with these identifying traits:

• Cap: 1–3 inches wide, orange to fox-colored, dry and matte, conical when young, later spreading out with a slight central bump.

• Gills: yellowish to ocher when young, later turning rusty brown as spores mature.

• Stem: 2–4 inches tall, fibrous, often the same color as the cap or slightly lighter.

• Flesh: thin, orange-brown, without a distinctive smell.

• Veil remnants: in young mushrooms, delicate web-like cortina fibers may be visible.

👉 The real danger: its resemblance to harmless orange mushrooms, making it hard to distinguish.

☠️ Toxicity

Like its deadly relative, the Orange-Burnt Webcap contains the toxin orellanine. This poison acts slowly, destroying the kidneys irreversibly. First symptoms may appear only 2–17 days after ingestion—far too late for effective treatment.

Common signs of poisoning:

• Intense thirst, frequent urination

• Headaches, nausea, dizziness

• Later: acute kidney failure, often irreversible

👉 Even a single mushroom can be dangerous. Many victims require lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant.

🌟 Special Characteristics

• Look-alike risk: especially dangerous when confused with chanterelles or other orange mushrooms. Remember: chanterelles have ridges, webcaps have true gills.

• Habitat: thrives in coniferous and mixed forests, particularly on acidic soils.

• Deceptive color: its warm orange tone makes it look less threatening than it truly is.

🧭 Foraging Tips

1. Never collect orange gilled mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain of their identity.

2. Chanterelle or Webcap? – chanterelles have ridges, webcaps have gills.

3. Look for cortina remnants – the delicate veil threads are a red flag.

4. Avoid small, unknown mushrooms – they are often the most dangerous.

5. When in doubt, leave it out! – safety must always come first.

🪵 Conclusion

The Orange-Burnt Webcap is a silent killer: modest, colorful, and deadly. Its deceptive beauty and slow-acting poison make it one of the most dangerous mushrooms of autumn. Rugged foraging means respecting the forest, recognizing its dangers, and walking away alive—wise enough to leave this mushroom untouched.