DECEPTIVE BEAUTY OF CORTINARIUS

 By: Saswati Pathak Introduction :    A genus of mushrooms known as Cortinarius grows in magnificent arrays of purple, brown, yellow, and red deep within the Northern Hemisphere's damp forests. One of the biggest genera of mushrooms in the world, Cortinarius contains more than 2,000 species. Regardless of their striking appearance, many of these mushrooms have a deadly secret: some of them contain toxins that can damage kidneys permanently.   What Are Cortinarius Mushrooms?   The characteristic " cortina " or veil-like structure that extends from the stem to the cap edge in young specimens is what differentiates C ortinarius mushrooms, also referred to as webcaps or cortinas . This cortina often forms a web-like ring or remnants on the stem as the mushroom ages.   Generally, these mushrooms have:   Rusty-brown spores   Convex to flat caps   A fibrous veil ( cortina ) connecting the cap to the stem   Various colors , though many ...