Cortinarius albofragrans
Sydowia 49(1): 27. 1997.
Common Name: none
Misapplied name: Cortinarius luteoarmillatus A.H. Sm.
For description see Moser & Ammirati & 'California Mushrooms'.
Solitary to scattered under live oaks (Quercus agrifolia and Quercus chrysolepis) and tanbark oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus); uncommon north of the San Francisco Bay area, common in southern California; fruiting from fall through winter.
Unknown.
Cortinarius albofragrans can be recognized by a smooth, viscid, white to cream-buff or tan cap, pinkish buff young context tissues, and a strong, fragrant, citrus-like odor. Cortinarius albofragrans, described from Del Norte Co, has been misidentified as C. luteoarmillatus, a species from eastern North America with smaller spores and a less fragrant odor. Cortinarius percomis emits a similar odor but has a bright yellow cap, yellow young gills, a yellow stipe, yellow context tissues, and is associated with conifers.
Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
Moser, M. & Ammirati, J.F. (1997). Studies on North American Cortinarii IV. New and interesting Cortinarius species (subgenus Phlegmacium) from oak forests in Northern California. Sydowia 49(1): 25-48. (PDF-Protologue)
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
