ABSTRACT
Seven Cortinarius species in sect. Orellani were divided into 6 groups using microscopic features of their basidiospores. Two of these groups contained all specimens of C. speciosissimus and C. orellanoides, with each group having specimens of both species. Chemical methods employing thin-layer chromatography were used to detect polyols, amino acids and phenolic acids among specimens in these groups. The importance of these compounds as well as microscopic characteristics of the basidiospores are discussed in relation to the classification of species. Preliminary data does not confirm synonymy of C. speciosissimus and C. orellanoides, but identical chromatographic fingerprints were detected for C. orellanoides and C. orellanus.