Species details

Herald of winter

Hygrophorus hypothejus

Conditional / expert preparation
Herald of winter – Hygrophorus hypothejus

Photo: Olli Niemitalo · Public Domain · Photo source · License

Description

A late-autumn slimy waxcap relative with an olive-brown cap and yellowish gills.

Identification features

Gills are relatively distant and slightly decurrent; the stem is yellowish and slimy.

Identification checklist

Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A late-autumn slimy waxcap relative with an olive-brown cap and yellowish gills. Gills are relatively distant and slightly decurrent; the stem is yellowish and slimy. Typical habitat: Mainly in pine woodland on acidic soils.

How to separate similar species

Compare especially with these similar species: Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus, Cortinarius species. Check the combination of cap shape and colour, spore-bearing surface, stem, flesh changes and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough; if the key characters do not match the description, do not treat the identification as confirmed.

Habitat

Mainly in pine woodland on acidic soils.

Fruiting period

September, October, November, December

Similar species

Extended-description sources