Hebeloma mesophaeum (Fries) Quélet
Champ. Jura et Vognes p. 128. 1872.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 2.5-5.5 cm broad, convex, becoming plano-convex; surface viscid, cap margin buff to clay colored, disk darker to dull reddish brown; margin often with veil remnants; flesh white, thicker at the disk; odor of radish.

• Lamellae

  Gills broad, finely serrate; white becoming dull brown; cystidia present on gill edges; lamellulae present.

• Stipe

  Stipe 3-7 cm long, 3-8 mm thick, pallid to dull brown, fibrillose; usually with cobwebby veil remnants.

• Spores

  Spores 8.7-10.3 X 5.6-6 µm, minutely ornamented; spore print brown.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious under conifers; winter.

• Edibility

  Probably toxic.

• Comments

  Hebeloma mesophaeum is one of many small, dull colored Hebelomas with a cobwebby veil. Several occur in our area, but are more common in montane California. They could be confused with Cortinarius, but lack the rusty-brown spore print of Cortinarius.

• References

  Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p.
  Smith, A.H., Evenson, V.S. & Mitchel, D.H. (1983). The Veiled Species of Hebeloma in the Western United States. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 219 p.
  Vesterholt, J. (2005). The Genus Hebeloma (Fungi of Northern Europe, Vol. 3). Danish Mycological Society: Copenhagen, Denmark. 146 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Michael Wood: Hebeloma mesophaeum (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hebeloma mesophaeum (CP) -- closeup of gills and veil
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Hebeloma mesophaeum (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Hebeloma mesophaeum (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 465 (D), p. 466 (P)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 5): sp. 113 (D, I, & CP)
  • Jordan: p. 281 (D & CP)
  • McKenny et al.: p. 131 (D & CP)
  • Miller: sp. 244 (D & CP)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)