Hygrophorus speciosus

Hygrophorus speciosus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Hygrophoraceae
Genus:	Hygrophorus
Species:	H. speciosus
Binomial name
Hygrophorus speciosus Peck, 1878

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

Hygrophorus speciosus, commonly known as the larch waxy cap, ^[1] is a species of fungus in the genus Hygrophorus . ^{[2] [3]} It has a bright red-orange cap which yellows with age, and a white or yellow stem; both are slimy, but the fruit bodies are less so with age. ^[4] The gills are whitish to light yellow, and decurrent. ^[4] Lookalike species include H. hypothejus ^[4] and H. pyrophilus . ^[1]

The species can be found inland within the Pacific Northwest, in areas where larch is plentiful. ^[4] While edible, the flavor of most Hygrophorus species is considered bland. ^[5]

References

1. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. p. 126. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.
2. "Hygrophorus speciosus (Fr.) Fr". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
3. Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 86. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.
4. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 71. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
5. Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 70. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.