John Miller
In mycology, a volva is a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom that is a remnant of the universal veil. The volva is an important feature in wild mushroom identification, as it is often used to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. While the presence of a volva is best known in Amanita species, some Cortinarius mushrooms, such as the Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus, are known to have a volva as well. Cortinarius mushrooms are typically identified by their cobweb-like partial veils called cortinas, which usually disappear as the mushroom matures. However, in some cases, the universal veil may persist as a cup or volva at the base of the mushroom. Therefore, while not all Cortinarius mushrooms have a volva, some species within this genus may possess this feature.
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What You'll Learn
- Some Cortinarius mushrooms have volvas, a cup-like structure at the base
- Volvas are remnants of the universal veil, which covers mushrooms when young
- The volva is a significant feature for identifying mushrooms, especially poisonous ones
- The Cortinarius phalarus is an oddity, with a volva and rusty brown spores
- Most Cortinarius mushrooms have cobweb-like partial veils, or cortinas, which often disappear as the mushroom matures
Some Cortinarius mushrooms have volvas, a cup-like structure at the base
In mycology, a volva is a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom. It is a remnant of the universal veil, which is the remains of the peridium that encloses the immature fruit bodies of gasteroid fungi. The volva is a significant feature in wild mushroom identification, as it is often associated with the Amanitaceae family, which contains many deadly poisonous species. Therefore, it is important to check for the presence of a volva when identifying mushrooms, as it may be partially or completely buried in the ground.
While most Cortinarius mushrooms are characterised by their cobweb-like partial veils called cortinas, some species of Cortinarius have large swollen stem bases that form a volva. For example, the Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus is considered an oddity due to its possession of a volva. Other Cortinarius mushrooms that may possess a volva include the C. clandestinus group, C. subalpinus, and C. parkeri.
The presence of a volva in Cortinarius mushrooms is an exception, as most species in this genus have delicate, cobweb-like partial veils. These veils are so lightweight and fragile that they often disappear completely when the mushroom matures. However, clues to the presence of a partial veil may be observed, such as a distinctive ring around the upper part of the stem or partial veil remnants around the edge of the cap.
The identification of Cortinarius species often requires examining young specimens, as the veils become detached from the cap as the mushroom matures. The universal veil may persist as a cup or volva at the base of the stem, while the partial veil may leave a ring or fringe around the upper stem or the edge of the cap. Therefore, collecting both young and mature specimens is essential for accurate identification.
In summary, while most Cortinarius mushrooms are known for their cobweb-like partial veils, some species within this genus possess a volva, a cup-like structure at the base. The presence of a volva is an important feature in mushroom identification, especially in distinguishing potentially poisonous species.
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Volvas are remnants of the universal veil, which covers mushrooms when young
Cortinarius mushrooms, on the other hand, are known for their delicate, cobweb-like partial veils called cortinas. These veils are so lightweight and fragile that they often disappear completely when the mushroom matures. While mature Cortinarius mushrooms typically show no remnants of the partial veil, clues such as a distinctive ring around the upper part of the stem or partial veil remnants around the edge of the cap may indicate its previous existence.
The Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus is an interesting species within the Cortinarius genus, as it possesses a volva. This species was discovered by SMF on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, and has since been recorded in the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). Another species in the subgenus Leprocybe that may possess a volva is C. clandestinus.
The presence of a volva in Cortinarius phalarus highlights the complexity and diversity within the Cortinarius genus. While most species in this genus are characterised by their partial veils, the existence of a universal veil in this particular species expands our understanding of mushroom veils and their role in identification. Mushroom enthusiasts and mycologists continue to study veils extensively to aid in the identification of various mushroom species and their edibility or toxicity.
In summary, volvas are remnants of the universal veil that covers young mushrooms. They are significant in wild mushroom identification and are commonly associated with Amanita species. While Cortinarius mushrooms are typically characterised by their partial veils, the presence of a volva in Cortinarius phalarus showcases the exceptions and variations within mushroom veils. The study of veils plays a crucial role in mushroom identification and our understanding of fungal diversity.
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The volva is a significant feature for identifying mushrooms, especially poisonous ones
Mushrooms are a varied and large group of fungi, and many are poisonous, with some being lethally toxic. Therefore, distinguishing between edible and poisonous mushrooms is critical but challenging. One important feature to look out for when identifying mushrooms is the presence of a volva. A volva is a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom that is a remnant of the universal veil, which encloses the immature fruiting bodies of gasteroid fungi. It is often partially or completely buried in the ground, so care must be taken to check for its presence.
While not all mushrooms with volvas are poisonous, it is a key feature to look out for to avoid deadly species. In addition to the volva, other characteristics can help identify poisonous mushrooms. For instance, mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and red on the cap or stem, are often poisonous. Furthermore, some mushrooms without any distinctive features can be lethally toxic.
Cortinarius mushrooms, which have delicate, cobweb-like partial veils called cortinas, typically do not have volvas. However, one oddity, the Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus, does have a volva. This species has a cup-shaped volva and white patches on the cap, but with rusty brown spores. Other Cortinarius mushrooms that may also have a volva include the C. clandestinus group, C. subalpinus, and C. parkeri.
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The Cortinarius phalarus is an oddity, with a volva and rusty brown spores
The Cortinarius phalarus is an oddity among mushrooms. This Australian fungus is a member of the Cortinarius genus, which is known for its distinctive cobweb-like partial veil called a cortina that covers the gills during the mushroom's early stages of life. However, what sets the Cortinarius phalarus apart is the presence of a volva—a cup-shaped structure at the base of its stem.
The volva is a unique feature in mycology, formed as a remnant of the universal veil that encloses immature fruit bodies of gasteroid fungi. It is an important characteristic for identifying wild mushrooms, as it is often partially or completely buried in the ground and can indicate the presence of deadly poisonous species. While the volva is most commonly associated with Amanita mushrooms and stinkhorns, the Cortinarius phalarus stands out within its genus by possessing this feature.
The Cortinarius phalarus was first identified by Sapphire McMullan-Fisher and Katrina Syme of the citizen-science organisation Fungimap. They described the mushroom's distinctive features, including a thin white sac covering the fungus button and mature fruit bodies with cup-shaped volvas and white patches on the cap. These characteristics led them to recognise the Cortinarius phalarus as a unique species.
In addition to its unusual physical characteristics, the Cortinarius phalarus is also notable for its rusty brown spores. This spore colour is a common trait within the Cortinarius genus, where spore colours can range from pink to rusty brown. The presence of these rusty brown spores further contributes to the Cortinarius phalarus's status as an oddity, as it combines characteristics typically associated with different types of mushrooms.
The Cortinarius phalarus has been recorded in various locations across Australia, including Victoria and Western Australia. With its distinctive features and spore colour, this mushroom species continues to intrigue mycologists and enthusiasts alike, providing a fascinating example of the diversity and unpredictability found in the fungal kingdom.
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Most Cortinarius mushrooms have cobweb-like partial veils, or cortinas, which often disappear as the mushroom matures
While not all, most Cortinarius mushrooms have cobweb-like partial veils, known as cortinas. The cobwebby cortinas are so characteristic of the genus that they are the origin of its name—cortina means "curtained" in Latin. These veils cover the gills of the mushrooms when they are young but often disappear as the mushrooms mature. The cortinas are lightweight and fragile, so once they break, they often disappear completely. The mushrooms may, however, offer clues that a partial veil once existed. For example, the veil may leave a distinctive ring around the upper part of the stem, and the very thin cobwebby cortina fragments may hang off the edges of the cap like little wispy fibres.
The universal veil of a mushroom is a sack-like structure that entirely covers the mushroom when it is young. As the mushroom grows, the veil breaks, leaving a cup-like structure at the base of the mushroom's stem, called a volva. The volva is an important feature in wild mushroom identification, as it frequently signifies a member of Amanitaceae, a family with a disproportionately high number of deadly poisonous species. While the volva is a feature best known from Amanita species, it may also occur in some Cortinarius mushrooms. For example, the Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus has a volva, as do other Cortinarius mushrooms in the subgenus Leprocybe, such as C. clandestinus, C. subalpinus, and C. parkeri.
Amanita mushrooms are easily identifiable by their white gills and spores and bulbous structure. The universal veil of an Amanita mushroom can be hidden by leaf litter or under the soil surface, so it is vital to check the base of any mushroom to identify it correctly. Some Amanita species, such as A. flavoconia, have universal veils that flake off into the soil, leaving no trace. Other mushrooms, such as Agrocybe mushrooms, also have thin, membranous partial veils that tear easily and may disappear entirely as the mushroom matures.
It is important to note that many mushrooms are poisonous, and some are lethally toxic. Distinguishing between edible and poisonous mushrooms can be very challenging, so consuming wild mushrooms is strongly discouraged unless you are 100% sure of what they are. While veils are important features for identifying mushrooms, they are not always reliable clues, as some poisonous mushrooms do not have veils, and some edible mushrooms do. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to detail and consider multiple characteristics when identifying mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Most cortinarius mushrooms do not have volvas. However, the Australian mushroom Cortinarius phalarus is an oddity as it has a volva.
In mycology, a volva is a cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom that is a remnant of the universal veil.
A universal veil is a covering or veil that encloses the entire cap and stipe of a young mushroom.
A mushroom's volva is important in wild mushroom identification because it is an easily observed, taxonomically significant feature that frequently signifies a member of Amanitaceae.
A universal veil covers the entire cap and stipe of a young mushroom, whereas a partial veil extends from the edge of the cap to the stipe, so that only the gills are covered.
