Species details

Hygrophorus penarius

Traditionally edible

Description

A large white to ivory Hygrophorus with a dry firm cap and widely spaced thick gills.

Identification features

The cap is fleshy with a margin that stays inrolled for a long time and may have a pale ochre centre. The stem is stout, whitish and finely floccose; pale gills are slightly decurrent.

Identification checklist

The key combination is a large firm white to ivory cap, relatively dry surface, widely spaced thick gills and a stout pale stem. Unlike many Hygrophorus species, it is not strongly slimy.

Detailed features

Cap: A large white to ivory waxcap relative with a dry, firm cap and thick, widely spaced gills.
Hymenophore: The cap is fleshy and its margin remains inrolled for a long time, while the centre may be pale ochre. The stem is stout, whitish and finely floccose; the pale gills are slightly decurrent.
Flesh: White to whitish and firm.
Smell: No distinctive smell.
Spore print: White.

Size

Cap diameter: 6–10 cm
Stem height: 5–8 cm
Stem diameter: 0,8–2,5 cm

Habitat

Open deciduous woodland, especially with oak and other hardwoods on calcareous soils; in autumn.

Fruiting period

September, October, November

Ecology

Trophic mode: Mycorrhizal
Host trees: Oak (Quercus)
Substrate: Forest soil
Soil: Calcareous
Notes: Mycorrhizal species. Open deciduous woodland, especially with oak and other hardwoods on calcareous soils; in autumn.

How to separate similar species

Slimy and other white Hygrophorus species can look similar but have stronger slime layers or different tree associations. With white-gilled mushrooms always check for a ring, volva and spore print as well.

Similar species

Hygrophorus gliocyclus
Ivory waxcap (Hygrophorus eburneus)

Interesting facts

Did you know? For a waxycap relative, the cap is comparatively dry, helping separate it from slimier white Hygrophorus species.

Extended-description sources

Hygrophorus penarius – gobe.si