Hygrophorus speciosus, commonly known as the larch waxy cap,[1] is a species of fungus in the genus Hygrophorus.[2][3] While edible, the flavor of most Hygrophorus species is considered bland.[4]

Hygrophorus speciosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hygrophoraceae
Genus: Hygrophorus
Species:
H. speciosus
Binomial name
Hygrophorus speciosus
Peck, 1878

It has a bright red-orange cap which yellows with age, and a white or yellow stem; both are slimy, but the fruit bodies are less so with age.[5] The gills are whitish to light yellow, and decurrent.[5]

The species can be found inland within the Pacific Northwest, in areas where larch is plentiful.[5]

Hygrophorus hypothejus is a similar species.[5]

References edit

Hygrophorus speciosus
 Gills on hymenium
   Cap is convex or umbonate
   Hymenium is adnate or decurrent
 Stipe is bare
 
Spore print is white
 Edibility is edible
  1. ^ Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (Second ed.). Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 978-0-89815-169-5.
  2. ^ "Hygrophorus speciosus (Fr.) Fr". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. ^ Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 86. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  4. ^ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
  5. ^ a b c d Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.