Cortinarius dysodes is a species of agaricoid fungus in the genus "Cortinarius". It is endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Taxonomy.
The species was described in 2001 by mycologist Karl Soop. The holotype specimen (PDD70499) was collected by Soop in Craigieburn, Canterbury, New Zealand in April 1999.
Description.
This species produces agaricoid fruit bodies that are often clumped (fasciculate). The pileus is up to 60 mm in diameter, dry, hygrophanous, brown with a purple tinge and yellowing with age, and a conspicuous white rim. The lamellae are violet to reddish lilac. The stipe ranges from cylindrical to slightly club-shaped, white (appearing dirty white towards the base) and with whitish bands. The veil and cortina are described as sparse and white with a violet tinge. The flesh is pale grey-brown, and when young has a violet tinge, often becoming marbled violaceous with age. A distinctive feature of this species is that the odour is very strong and unpleasant, according to Soop to be more or less "gas-like (cooking-gas or acetylene) or of rotting vegetables; taste similar". Tissues of the fruit bodies have no notable reactions with sodium hydroxide.
"Cortinarius dysodes" is in "Cortinarius" section "Camphorati" along with "C. tasmacamphoratus", "C. camphoratus" and "C. putorius", a relationship supported by ITS/LSU phylogenetic analysis.
Habitat and distribution.
"Cortinarius dysodes" occurs in forests and is found in both the North and South Island of New Zealand. It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus, associated with "Nothofagus" species.
Etymology.
The specific epithet "dysodes" derives from the Greek "dysodes" meaning pestilential. This refers to the disgusting smell of the fruit bodies, even when young and fresh.