Cortinarius armillatus - Паутинник браслетчатый - Ringless Cortinarius

Cortinarius armillatus - Паутинник браслетчатый - Ringless Cortinarius - Gürtelförmiger Schleimkopf 8/13/09—7/2/15

Cortinarius armillatus, also known as the ringless cortinarius, is a basidiomycete fungus that is widely distributed in temperate forests throughout North America and Europe. This mushroom is mycorrhizal, meaning that it forms a mutually beneficial relationship with trees and other plants. The cap of C. armillatus ranges from 5-15cm in diameter and is convex to flat, with a smooth and sometimes sticky surface. Its stem is usually about 5-10cm long and is tough and fibrous. As its name suggests, this mushroom does not have a ring or annulus on its stem. The gills are initially pale yellowish-white, but become rusty brown as the mushroom matures. The spore print of C. armillatus is rusty brown, and the spores themselves are elliptical and ornamented with small bumps, typically measuring 8-10µm in length. Chemically, C. armillatus contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including toxins and psychoactive substances. Some studies have shown that this fungus has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. C. armillatus is often found growing in mixed forests, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including old-growth and second-growth forests. It is distributed throughout North America and Europe. In addition to its ecological and medicinal importance, C. armillatus is also of interest to mycologists due to its taxonomic complexity. This species is part of a group of closely related fungi that are difficult to distinguish from one another. Interestingly, C. armillatus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including rheumatism, headache, and hypertension. Overall, Cortinarius armillatus is an important and fascinating fungus with a wide range of potential uses in scientific research and traditional medicine. However, due to its toxic and psychoactive properties, it should be handled with caution by those without proper training.