Hygrophorus eburneus (Fries) Fries
Epicr. Mycol., p. 321. 1838.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 2.5-7 cm broad, convex with an inrolled margin, expanding to nearly plane with a low umbo or the disc depressed with an upturned margin; surface smooth to silky, slimy-viscid, white, occasionally faintly yellow in age; flesh white, soft, thick at the disc, thin elsewhere, unchanging; odor and taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills subdecurrent to decurrent, subdistant, moderately broad, waxy, white, sometimes faintly yellow in age.

• Stipe

  Stipe 4-12 cm tall, 0.5-1.5 cm thick, equal to tapering towards the base, often bent, stuffed, becoming hollow at maturity; surface finely scaled at the apex, smooth below, white, viscid; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 6.5-8 x 3.5-5 µm, smooth, elliptical; spore print white.

• Habitat

  Scattered in duff in hardwood/conifer woods; fruiting from early to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible, but too slimy to be of culinary value.

• Comments

  The combination of a viscid cap and stipe distinguishes this Hygrophorus from several other white waxy-caps in our area.

• References

  Bas, C., Kyper, T.W., Noordeloos, M.E. & Vellinga, E.C. (1990). Flora Agaricina Neerlandica—Critical monographs on the families of agarics and boleti occuring in the Netherlands. Volume 2. Pluteaceae, Tricholomataceae. A. A. Balkema: Rotterdam, Netherlands. 137 p.
  Bird, C.J. & Grund, D.W. (1979). Nova Scotian Species of Hygrophorus. The Nova Scotia Museum: Nova Scotia. 131 p.
  Hesler, L.R. & Smith, A.H. (1963). North American Species of Hygrophorus. University of Tennessee Press: Knoxville, TN. 416 p.
  Largent, D.L. (1985). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 5. Hygrophoraceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 208 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Michael Boom: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP) -- this species is so viscid that it often drips from the edge of the cap
  • Michael Wood: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Na Grzyby: Hygrophorus eburneus (D & CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Hygrophorus eburneus (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 119 (D), p. 120 (P)
  • Arora (1991): p. 47 (D & CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 111 (D, I, & CP)
  • Jordan: p. 140 (D & CP)
  • Largent (1985): p. 138 (D)
  • Lincoff: p. 659 (D), plate 236
  • Miller: sp. 27 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 70 (D & CP)
  
  

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