Dermocybe
Encyclopedia
The fungi of the Dermocybe group, commonly known as Skin-heads, form a group within the huge genus Cortinarius
. They are generally considered to be a subgenus
though some authorities consider them to form a genus
in their own right.
They can be distinguished from other Cortinarius species by:
An example with a vivid green colour is Dermocybe austroveneta
. Another example is D. semisanguinea (pictured), which from above is an ordinary brown colour, but which shows a striking blood-red sheen when the underside of the cap is viewed. Lethal webcaps
one of world's most poisonous mushrooms belongs to the group.
The Austrian Professor Dr. Meinhard Moser (1924-2002), whose book is referenced, was one of the authorities who promote Dermocybe to the status of a genus.
Cortinarius
Cortinarius is a genus of mushrooms. It is suspected to be the largest genus of agarics, containing over 2000 different species and found worldwide. A common feature among all species in the genus Cortinarius is that young specimens have a cortina between the cap and the stem, hence the name,...
. They are generally considered to be a subgenus
Subgenus
In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
though some authorities consider them to form a genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
in their own right.
They can be distinguished from other Cortinarius species by:
- their brilliant colours, especially of the gills,
- their non-hygrophanousHygrophanousThe adjective hygrophanous refers to the color change of mushroom tissue as it loses or absorbs water, which causes the pileipellis to become more transparent when wet and opaque when dry....
dry cap, and - their dry cylindrical (non-bulbous) stem.
An example with a vivid green colour is Dermocybe austroveneta
Dermocybe austroveneta
Cortinarius austrovenetus, alternately known as Dermocybe austroveneta and commonly known as the Green Skin-head, is an inedible brightly coloured green gilled fungus which naturally occurs in south eastern Australia.-Taxonomy:...
. Another example is D. semisanguinea (pictured), which from above is an ordinary brown colour, but which shows a striking blood-red sheen when the underside of the cap is viewed. Lethal webcaps
Lethal webcaps
The Lethal webcaps, two species in the genus Cortinarius, are two of the world's most poisonous mushrooms. The species are the Deadly webcap and the Fool's webcap, C...
one of world's most poisonous mushrooms belongs to the group.
The Austrian Professor Dr. Meinhard Moser (1924-2002), whose book is referenced, was one of the authorities who promote Dermocybe to the status of a genus.