Hygrophorus gliocyclus Fries
Monogr. Hymen. Suec. 2: 311. 1863.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 3-9 cm broad, convex, becoming plano-convex to centrally depressed in age, occasionally with a broad, low umbo; margin at first inrolled, then decurved, to plane; surface glabrous, glutinous when moist, appearing varnished when dry, cream to cream-yellow, the disc usually slightly darker; context white, unchanging, soft, thick at the disc, thin at the margin; odor and taste not distinctive.

• Lamellae

  Gills when young, adnate to subdecurrent, decurrent in age, subdistant, thick, waxy, sometimes intervenose, colored like the cap, i.e. cream-yellow; lamellulae 2-3 seried.

• Stipe

  Stipe 3.0-5.0 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm thick, equal to subventricose; surface at apex whitish, minutely scaly to fibrillose, lower portion cream-yellow, covered with slime; partial veil glutinous leaving a superior, evanescent, slimy ring.

• Spores

  Spores 8.5-10 x 4.5-6.0 µm, ellipsoid, smooth, inamyloid; spore print white.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious under conifers; fruiting from mid to late winter.

• Edibility

  Edible, but too slimy to be of value.

• Comments

  Fieldmarks of this robust Hygrophorous include a slimy, cream-yellow cap and stipe, well-spaced decurrent gills and a glutinous ring (when fresh). Another commonly found, viscid Hygrophorous species is H. eburneus. It has a more slender aspect and is distinguished by its white color and lack of an annulus.

• 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.
  Hesler, L. R. & Smith, Alexander H. (1963). North American Species of Hygrophorus. University of Tennessee Press: Knoxville, TN. 416 p.
  Largent, David L. (1985). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 5. Hygrophoraceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 208 p.
  Stuntz, D.E. & Isaacs, B.F. (1962). Pacific Northwestern fungi. I. Mycologia 54: 272-298.

• References

  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.
  Stuntz, D.E. & Isaacs, B.F. (1962). Pacific Northwestern fungi. I. Mycologia 54(3): 272-298.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Fred Stevens: Hygrophorus gliocyclus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hygrophorus gliocyclus (CP)
  • Page perso de JJ.Wuilbaut: Hygrophorus gliocyclus (CP)
  • Page perso de JJ.Wuilbaut: Hygrophorus gliocyclus (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Hygrophorus gliocyclus (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 120 (D), p. 121 (CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 117 (D, I, & CP) [Hygrophorus lignatus]
  • Hesler & Smith (1963): p. 282 (D)
  • Largent (1985): p. 143 (D)
  • McKenny: p. 64 (D), p. 65 (CP)
  • Orr & Orr: p. 217 (D)
  • Smith (1975): sp. 66 (D & CP)
  
  

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