Hygrophorus occidentalis

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Hygrophorus . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

Hygrophorus occidentalis appears white when in the button stage, but soon begins to develop grayish brown colors in the center of the cap, and by maturity the cap may be brownish or grayish overall--except for the extreme margin, which usually remains paler. It lacks a distinctive odor or taste, and its cap and stem are slimy; these features help distinguish it from some of the other brownish waxy caps. Even so, look-alikes abound, and microscopic analysis of the spores and gill tissues may be required for certain identification.

Edibility is not known for Hygrophorus occidentalis; I don't recommend experimenting. Anyway, the mushroom is so slimy that I can't imagine anyone would care.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods; growing scattered to gregariously; spring through winter; widely distributed in North America.

Cap: 2-8 cm; convex when young, becoming broadly convex to flat, often with a central depression; slimy; fairly smooth, or with minute pressed-down fibers under the slime (but the fibers, if present, are not blackish); whitish at first, but soon developing grayish to brownish shades over the center; the margin typically remaining paler.

Gills: Attached to the stem or running down it; distant or close; white to creamy.

Stem: 2-7 cm long; 3-10 mm thick; equal above, tapering to base; slimy, at least over the lower portion; with tiny white fibers over the dry apex; white or becoming tinged with the cap color; stuffed.

Flesh: White; unchanging.

Odor and Taste: Not distinctive.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 6-8 x 3.5-5 µ; smooth; elliptical; inamyloid. Gill tissue divergent, with cells 4-7 µ wide.

REFERENCES: Smith & Hesler, 1939. (Hesler & Smith, 1963; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1979; Largent, 1985.) Herb. Kuo 09300302, 10070304.

Further Online Information:

Hygrophorus occidentalis in Hesler & Smith (1963)

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2004, December). Hygrophorus occidentalis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hygrophorus_occidentalis.html