Cortinarius collinitus Blue-Girdled Webcap

Cortinarius collinitis is a very striking webcap with a very slimy fruiting body which has a rich-brown coloured cap and an intensely lilac-blue stem. It is a nationally uncommon species but it occurs occasionally in Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) forests in West Galmorgan. The occurrence of clamp connections on the hyphae is a key feature which distinguishes it from similar Cortinarius species that also grow in spruce forests, e.g. Cortinarius stillatitius (Cortinarius integerrimus). Both species produce large spores which can be up to 16 microns in length.