Gypsy Mushroom
Cortinarius caperatus
Family: Cortinariaceae
Also called: Gypsy Mushroom, Rozites caperatus, Chroogomphus, Gypsy Nightcap
Overview
The only Cortinarius widely eaten — wrinkled tan cap with a frosty white bloom, a clear ring, and rusty-brown spores. Conifer and birch woods of Northern and Central Europe. Choice edible BUT: the Cortinarius genus includes Europe's deadliest webcaps (C. rubellus, C. orellanus). Only confident foragers should consider the Gypsy.
Season
Aug–Sep — typical fruiting months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Host trees & substrate
- Mycorrhizal with Norway spruce
- Mycorrhizal with Scots pine
- Mycorrhizal with birch
Toxic lookalikes
- Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)deadly
Conical orange cap, NO white bloom, NO ring. Causes irreversible kidney failure. Beginners should avoid the entire genus.
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Gypsy Mushroom on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.