Gypsy Mushroom (Eurasia)
Cortinarius caperatus
Family: Cortinariaceae
Also called: Gypsy, Rozites, Zigeuner, Cygańska
Overview
Tawny, wrinkled-cap mycorrhizal mushroom of conifer and birch forest across the Nordic, Baltic, Russian, and Asian boreal. Classic 'cygańska' of Polish forest cooking. Rare among Cortinarius in being safely edible — but ONLY this species; most Cortinarius are toxic or deadly.
Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
mycorrhizal
Typical peak
Sep
Season
Aug–Oct — typical fruiting months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Host trees & substrate
- Picea
- Pinus
- Birch
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Gypsy Mushroom (Eurasia) 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.