Cortinarius caperatus — The Gypsy
Close up showing the characteristic wrinkled cap of the Gypsy2, photograph by James Holkko.
Odour: Pleasant, indistinct.
Taste: Mild.
Cap: 5–13 cm in diameter, rounded when young, when the immature cap edge is still attached to the stem. Expanding and becoming almost flat or broadly conical. A low central bump is often obvious. The colour varies from middle brown at the centre to pale brown at the margin, and it will fade when the cap dries out. A whitish bloom on the cap is evident in many specimens. The surface is radially wrinkled in most cases.
Gills: Crowded, broadly attached to the top of the stem. The colour is pale to pinkish brown.
Stem: 5–15 cm long x 1–2.5 cm wide, cylindrical or slightly wider at base than in the middle. The surface is white-marbled, and stains light brown when scratched.
Ring or veil: Ring present as a white thick band on the stem.
Cup: None.
Spores: 12–13.5 x 7–8 µm, a bit lemon-shaped, pale brown, with low warts on the surface.
Habitat: In troops, on the ground in all kinds of forests. Common under Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) through BC and to Alaska1; ectomycorrhizal.
Geographic distribution: Known from North America including Mexico; Colombia in South America, Europe6.
Rozites caperatus is an older name for the Gypsy mushroom.
Treatment: Contact your regional Poison Control Centre if you or someone you know is ill after eating Gypsy mushrooms. Poison centres provide free, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If possible, save the mushrooms or some of the leftover food containing the mushrooms to help confirm identification.
Poison Control:
British Columbia: 604-682-5050 or 1-800-567-8911.
United States (WA, OR, ID): 1-800-222-1222.