A brilliant cinnabar‑red species, Cortinarius veronicae is one of the most striking red cortinarii of New Zealand Nothofagus forest. Its intense cinnabar to pink‑red pileus, orange‑red lamellae, and pink‑to‑cinnabar stipe girdles make it unmistakable in the field. Chromatographic studies show it contains unique anthraquinone pigments and is highly poisonous.

Pileus: 20-50 mm, dry, weakly hygrophanous. Brilliant cinnabar‑red when young; later brownish red to ochre with a pink tint. Surface finely innate‑fibrillose, nearly glabrous. Margin not striate, often with reddish fibrils.
Lamellae: Bright red‑orange to brick red, a key field character.
Stipe: Cylindrical, pink to yellowish‑pink. Often with cinnabar‑red girdles or zones; sometimes peronate with a small collar.
Veil: Red to cinnabar‑red or pink, sparse to copious. Cortina pale red to white.
Context: Pale yellow to greyish yellow, darkening with age.
Odour/taste: Taste slightly raphanoid; odour nil.