Hygrophorus hypothejus

Hygrophorus hypothejus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Hygrophoraceae
Genus:	Hygrophorus
Species:	H. hypothejus
Binomial name
Hygrophorus hypothejus Fr. (Fr.), 1838
Synonyms [1]
Agaricus hypothejusFr. 1821 Limacium hypothejum(Fr.) P. Kumm., 1871 Hygrophorus aureusArrh., 1863 Limacium aureum(Arrh.) Ricken, 1910

Hygrophorus hypothejus Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex or umbonate
	Hymenium is decurrent or adnate
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is white
	Edibility is edible

Hygrophorus hypothejus, commonly known as the olive-brown waxy cap, ^[2] or herald of the winter, is an edible species of fungus in the genus Hygrophorus native to Europe. It appears in late autumn in coniferous forests, often with the first frosts.

Taxonomy

Elias Magnus Fries described this species in 1821 as Agaricus hypothejus, before placing it in the genus Hygrophorus in 1838. Its species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words hypo and theios "sulphur yellow underneath". ^[3] It has the common name of herald of the winter as it appears in autumn with the onset of the first overnight frosts. ^[3] Alternate names are late fall waxy cap in the United States, ^[4] and yellow-gilled waxcap. ^[5]

Description

The cap measures 3–6 cm (1+1⁄8–2+3⁄8 in) across, is yellowish to olive brown with a dark center and slimy surface, ^{[3] [6]} and has a rolled margin when young, flattening and becoming more funnel-shaped as it ages. ^[7] The yellow gills are decurrent, and the flesh is pale yellow, turning orange-red when bruised. The slender stipe is 4–7 cm (1+5⁄8–2+3⁄4 in) tall and 0.7–1.4 cm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) wide. ^[8] The colour can become more intense with the onset of frosts. ^[4] The spore print is white and the oval spores measure 7–9 x 4–5 micrometres. ^[8]

Similar species

A number of species in the genus are similar, ^[2] including H. speciosus . ^[6] It could also be confused with Gomphidius glutinosus (the slimy spike cap), the gills of which separate easily from the cap. ^[5]

Distribution and habitat

The mushroom grows in coniferous forests, appearing in October and November, ^[3] occasionally December. Though mushrooms may be abundant, they are often hard to spot among the pine needles. ^[7] They often appear in big groups of individuals and clusters. ^[6]

Edibility

It is edible but of variable quality as some specimens may be slimy. ^{[3] [7] [8]}

References

1. "Fungorum synonymy: Hygrophorus hypothejus". Species Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
2. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.
3. Nilson S, Persson O. (1977). Fungi of Northern Europe 1: Larger Fungi (Excluding Gill-Fungi). Penguin. pp. 20–21. ISBN   0-14-063005-8.
4. Roody WC (2003). Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 141–42. ISBN   9780813128139.
5. Lamaison J-L, Polese J-M. (2005). The Great Encyclopedia of Mushrooms. Cologne, Germany: Könemann. p. 34. ISBN   978-3-8331-1239-3.
6. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 69, 71. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
7. Haas H. (1969). The Young Specialist Looks at Fungi. London, UK: Burke. p. 62. ISBN   978-0-222-79409-3.
8. Phillips R. (2006). Mushrooms. London, UK: Pan MacMillan. p. 69. ISBN   978-0-330-44237-4.

External links

• Media related to Hygrophorus hypothejus at Wikimedia Commons
• Hygrophorus hypothejus in Index Fungorum