Cinnabar Webcap
Cortinarius cinnabarinus
The Cinnabar Webcap is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its striking bright red to cinnabar-colored cap and stem, belonging to the large Cortinarius genus known for their cobweb-like partial veils. This mycorrhizal fungus forms essential symbiotic relationships with tree roots, facilitating nutrient exchange and playing a crucial role in forest ecosystem health and soil chemistry.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Federico Calledda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Federico Calledda
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Cortinariaceae
Genus
Cortinarius
Cinnabar Webcap belongs to the family Cortinariaceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
The Cinnabar Webcap is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its striking bright red to cinnabar-colored cap and stem, belonging to the large Cortinarius genus known for their cobweb-like partial veils. This mycorrhizal fungus forms essential symbiotic relationships with tree roots, facilitating nutrient exchange and playing a crucial role in forest ecosystem health and soil chemistry.
The Cinnabar Webcap faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and forest fragmentation, which destroys the specific mycorrhizal relationships this fungus requires with its host trees. Climate change poses additional risks by altering temperature and moisture regimes that are critical for fruiting body development and spore dispersal. Pollution and soil contamination from agricultural runoff and industrial activities further degrade the forest ecosystems where this species occurs.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Deciduous and mixed forests, particularly beech and oak woodlands, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with broadleaf trees. Typically found in mature forest soils with rich organic matter and stable moisture conditions.
Threats
Climate change altering forest conditions
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation
Disruption of mycorrhizal host relationships
Forest management practices
Soil pollution and contamination
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Cinnabar Webcap (Cortinarius cinnabarinus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cinnabar-webcap