Cortinarius camphoratus - Паутинник камфорный - Camphor Cortinarius

Cortinarius camphoratus - Паутинник камфорный - Camphor Cortinarius - Kampfer-Schleierling 10/2/21

Cortinarius camphoratus, also known as the camphor cortinarius or the aromatic cort, is a basidiomycete fungus found in forests across Europe and North America. This mushroom is mycorrhizal, forming a mutualistic relationship with trees and other plants. The cap of C. camphoratus is convex, with a diameter of 5-15cm, and is usually reddish-brown or yellow-brown in color. The stem is tough and fibrous, and is often the same color as the cap or slightly lighter. The gills are initially pale yellowish-white, but turn a rusty brown color as the mushroom matures. The spore print is rusty brown, and the spores themselves are elliptical and ornamented with small bumps, measuring 8-12µm in length. One of the distinctive features of C. camphoratus is its pleasant, camphor-like odor, which is strongest in the stem but can also be detected in the cap and flesh of the mushroom. The scent is caused by the presence of a volatile compound called camphor. C. camphoratus is found in a variety of forest habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests. It is distributed throughout Europe and North America. In addition to its ecological importance, C. camphoratus has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever and inflammation. It is also used as a food flavoring in some cultures. Recent research has focused on the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of C. camphoratus, which may make it useful in the development of new drugs. Overall, Cortinarius camphoratus is an interesting and important fungus with a wide range of potential uses in scientific research and traditional medicine. However, caution should be exercised when consuming any wild mushroom, as some species can be toxic or deadly.