Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) pholideus (Fr. ex Fr.) Fr.
Schuppiger Dickfuss Cortinaire écailleux Scaly Webcap Cap 3–10cm across, convex then expanded, sometimes centrally depressed or wavy at the margin, ochraceous-buff to light date-brown darker towards the centre, covered in small sepia fibrillose scales. Stem 50-120 x 8–15mm, dirty ochraceous darkening towards the base, flushed violaceous at apex at first, conspicuously dark brown fibrillose scaly below the distinct ring zone; cortina pale brown. Flesh pallid to ochraceous buff, darker towards stem base. Smell faint, pleasant. Gills pale violaceous at first, soon clay buff to pale rust brown. Spore print rust. Spores broadly elliptic, rough, 6.5–8.5 x 5–6µ. Habitat deciduous woods, usually with birch. Season autumn. Rare. Edibility suspect –avoid. Distribution, America and Europe.