Calonarius pseudocupreorufus

Calonarius pseudocupreorufus is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae.

Taxonomy

It was originally described as new to science in 1944 by the American mycologist Alexander H. Smith who classified it as a variety of Cortinarius orichalceus.

In 2014 molecular and morphological data suggested that it was sufficiently distinct to warrant recognition as a distinct species and it was classified as Cortinarius pseudocupreorufus, placed in the Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium.

In 2022 the species was transferred from Cortinarius and reclassified as Calonarius pseudocupreorufus based on genomic data.

Description

Cap: 30-100mm, convex to plano-convex, margin inrolled to decurved, viscid, colors mutable with age and exposure – at first yellowish-grey to olive-grey, sometimes mottled lilac-grey, disc darkening to warm brown to rich red-brown with buffer of yellow ochre, scales and patches in center of disc when mature. Flesh: Translucent grey-blue to yellowish blue, to lilac tinged, stipe base mottled white and grey in WA specimens but with distinctive red-pink blush in stipe base in some collections, below pileus lilac to pink. Gills: Close, lilac-grey at outer edge when young, pale dingy yellow at inner margin then yellow to olive yellow overall. Stipe: 35-85mm long, and 8-21mm wide at apex, abruptly bulbous to bulbous, sometimes turnip shaped, colored pale creamy yellow, olive yellow, or bluish tones with abundant cortina remnants; bulb bruises red when handled, particularly on bulb rim. Odor: No odor, taste mild. Dried fruitbodies: Dark burgundy with lilac tones to context.