Hygrophorus chrysodon (Fr.) Fr.
Epicr. Myc. p. 320. 1838.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 3-7 cm broad, convex to plano-convex, often with a low umbo; margin inrolled at first, hairy with yellowish granules; surface viscid when moist, white with scattered yellow granules, the latter concentrated at the disc; flesh thick, soft, white.

• Lamellae

  Gills decurrent, distant, waxy, white, sometimes with scattered yellow edges.

• Stipe

  Stipe 2.5-7.0 cm tall, 0.5-1.3 cm thick, equal, viscid, yellow above from adhering yellow granules, white below.

• Spores

  Spores 8-10 x 4-5 microns, elliptical, smooth. Spore print white.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered to gregarious in mixed hardwood-conifer woods; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible according to the literature, but untried locally.

• Comments

  Sporting a white, viscid cap decorated with yellow granules, Hygrophorus chrysodon is one of our prettiest and easiest to recognize mid-winter mushrooms. For the beginning mushroomer, the widely spaced, waxy, white decurrent gills and white spores will help to identify this mushroom as belonging to the genus Hygrophorus. The distinctive yellow granules may weather away in age, especially those on the cap, but usually persist on the stipe apex.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Hygrophorus chrysodon (CP) -- closeup of underside of cap; note the yellow granules on the cap margin and the stipe apex
  • Bob Mackler:Hygrophorus chrysodon (CP) -- Older sporocarps with much of the yellow washed off
  • Page perso de JJ.Wuilbaut: Hygrophorus chrysodon (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 119 (D), plate 17 (CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 108 (D, I, & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 657 (D), plate 260 (CP)
  • Miller: sp. 26 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 70 (D & CP)

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