Fool's webcap
Cortinarius orellanus
The fool's webcap is a deadly orange-brown mushroom native to Europe. It contains orellanine, a kidney toxin, and poisoning often ends in permanent kidney failure. Its danger was uncovered after 102 people were poisoned in Poland in 1952, 11 of whom died.
Where it's found
Broadleaf woods under beech, hornbeam and oak, often near pines.
Distribution
Occurs in central and eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia); rare in Germany and occasional in southern Britain.
Similar species
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