Hypholoma capnoides (Fries) Kumm.
Führer in die Pilzk. 72. 1871.

Common Name: none

Synonym: Naematoloma capnoides

• Pileus

  Cap 2.5-6 cm broad, convex, becoming nearly plane, sometimes with a low umbo; surface moist, smooth, yellow to tawny to orange brown to cinnamon brown fading towards the margin, the latter inrolled when young, appendiculate with veil fragments in age; flesh white, thick; odor and taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills close, adnate, often seceding; pallid when young, then light grey, finally purple brown.

• Stipe

  Stipe 5-7 cm tall, 0.4-1.0 cm thick, equal, pallid to yellowish above, pale brown to rusty-brown below; veil thin, fibrillose forming a faint, hairy, superior zone, which soon disappears.

• Spores

  Spores 6.0-7.5 x 3.5-5.0 µm, elliptical, smooth, with an apical pore. Spore print purple-brown.

• Habitat

  Gregarious to clustered on conifer wood, from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible, but generally considered mediocre. Do not confuse with the yellow or greenish-gilled Hypholoma fasciculare.

• Comments

  Hypholoma capnoides is recognized by its clustered habit on wood, cinnamon-brown to orange-brown moist, appendiculate cap, and purple-brown spore print. Another member of the genus, H. fasciculare, which is toxic and more common in our area, also fruits in clusters on wood, but is distinguished by sulphur-green gills and a bitter taste. Other wood rotters that could be confused with Hypholoma capnoides include some Galerina and Pholiota species, but these have brown spores. Xeromphalina campanella has a similar cap color but has decurrent gills and white spores. Finally some Gymnopilus species also grow cespitose on wood but all have orange-brown spores.

• References

  Smith, A.H. (1951). The North American species of Naematoloma. Mycologia 43: 467-521.
  Watling, Roy & Gregory, Norma M. (1987). British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti. Vol 5. Strophariaceae & Coprinaceae p.p.: Hypholoma, Melanotus, Psilocybe, Stropharia, Lacymaria, & Panaeolus. Royal Botanic Garden: Edinburgh, Scotland. 121 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Hypholoma capnoides (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 383 (D & P) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol.4): sp. 408 (D, I, & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 708 (D), plate 62 (CP) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 158 (D), p. 159 (CP) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  • Miller: sp. 207 (D & CP) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  • Phillips: p. 186 (CP), p. 187 (D)
  • Smith: sp. 168 (D & CP) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  • Smith & Weber: sp. 211 (D & CP) [Naemataloma capnoides]
  
  

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