Key to the Ecological Roles of Fungi<< Start Over
Does your mushroom have these features?
(webby "cortina" over gills, gills usually rusty brown)
Yes
Webby cortina over gills (see arrows!)
Gills usually rusty brown (see other arrows)
Colors vary; brown to silvery to purple-tinged

If so, you have a Mutualist with trees from the genus Cortinarius.




No
Choose this if you're not sure

You have a Saprobe breaking down dead soil material (or perhaps buried wood).

Examples:
 
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