Habitat: Conifer forests

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Cortinarius brunneus (subgenus Telamonia) has relatively large, fleshy fruitbodies, with dome-shaped caps that reach 8 cm (3 inches) in diameter, are watery red-brown to umber in color, sometimes with bluish tones, and have a striate margin when fresh. The gills are sub-distant to distant, relatively thick and wide, and dark brown, sometimes with bluish reddish brown tints, and darkens with age or when bruised. The veil leaves a white to brownish zone on the stipe. The flesh of the fruitbody is whitish brown to grayish brown or slightly bluish. On drying the entire fruitbody becomes grayish black. The spores are ovoid and coarsely ornamented.

Sources: Trudell, Steve and Joe Ammirati. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Portland, Timber Press, Inc. 2009.