A large genus of fungi characterized by a cobweb-like veil (cortina) connecting the mushroom cap to the stalk.
Modern Latin genus name from Latin cortina (curtain, veil). Named in the late 18th century to highlight the distinctive veil-like structure that sets these mushrooms apart.
Some Cortinarius mushrooms are gourmet delicacies in Europe—like the highly prized C. rubellus—while others are dangerously toxic, which is why mushroom hunters must be mycologists-level careful with ID.
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