Hygrophorus subalpinus
Encyclopedia
Hygrophorus subalpinus, commonly known as the subalpine waxycap, is a species of fungus
in the family Hygrophoraceae
. Found in the mountains of western North America, it is found growing on the ground under conifers, usually near snowbanks.
of H. subalpinus is typically 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter, with a convex shape that becomes flattened in age; sometimes it develops a central umbo (a rounded elevation resembling a nipple). The cap is sticky, white, and the cap margin often has fragments of the veil
adhering. The flesh
is soft, thick and white. The gills, which are attached decurrently to the stem (running down the length of the stem), are narrow, packed closely together, and white-colored. The stem
is white, 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) long and 1 to 2 cm (0.393700787401575 to 0.78740157480315 in) thick at the apex; when young the base of the stem is bulbous but as it grows it thins and becomes almost the same width as at the top of the stem. A membranous annulus
is present, placed low on the stem.
are white in deposit
; microscopically, they are ellipsoid and smooth, with dimensions of 8–10 by 4.5–5 µm
. There are no cystidia present in the gills of this species, and clamp connection
s are present on the hypha
e.
, but bland. David Arora
notes that it "does not have the greatest texture and flavor".
to the Pacific Northwest
.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the family Hygrophoraceae
Hygrophoraceae
The Hygrophoraceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. Originally conceived as containing white-spored, thick-gilled agarics , including Hygrophorus and Hygrocybe species , DNA evidence has extended the limits of the family, so that it now contains not only agarics but also...
. Found in the mountains of western North America, it is found growing on the ground under conifers, usually near snowbanks.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
of H. subalpinus is typically 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter, with a convex shape that becomes flattened in age; sometimes it develops a central umbo (a rounded elevation resembling a nipple). The cap is sticky, white, and the cap margin often has fragments of the veil
Partial veil
thumb|150px|right|Developmental stages of [[Agaricus campestris]] showing the role and evolution of a partial veilPartial veil is a mycological term used to describe a temporary structure of tissue found on the fruiting bodies of some basidiomycete fungi, typically agarics...
adhering. The flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is soft, thick and white. The gills, which are attached decurrently to the stem (running down the length of the stem), are narrow, packed closely together, and white-colored. The stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is white, 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) long and 1 to 2 cm (0.393700787401575 to 0.78740157480315 in) thick at the apex; when young the base of the stem is bulbous but as it grows it thins and becomes almost the same width as at the top of the stem. A membranous annulus
Annulus (mycology)
An annulus is the ring like structure sometimes found on the stipe of some species of mushrooms. The annulus represents the remaining part of the partial veil, after it has ruptured to expose the gills or other spore-producing surface. An annulus may be thick and membranous, or it may be cobweb-like...
is present, placed low on the stem.
Microscopic characteristics
The sporesAscospore
An ascospore is a spore contained in an ascus or that was produced inside an ascus. This kind of spore is specific to fungi classified as ascomycetes ....
are white in deposit
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
; microscopically, they are ellipsoid and smooth, with dimensions of 8–10 by 4.5–5 µm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
. There are no cystidia present in the gills of this species, and clamp connection
Clamp connection
A clamp connection is a structure formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi. It is created to ensure each septum, or segment of hypha separated by crossed walls, receives a set of differing nuclei, which are obtained through mating of hyphae of differing sexual types...
s are present on the hypha
Hypha
A hypha is a long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium; yeasts are unicellular fungi that do not grow as hyphae.-Structure:A hypha consists of one or...
e.
Edibility
Hygrophorus subalpinus is said to be edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, but bland. David Arora
David Arora
David Arora is an American mycologist, naturalist, and writer. He is the author of two popular books on mushroom identification, Mushrooms Demystified and All That the Rain Promises and More.......
notes that it "does not have the greatest texture and flavor".
Similar species
The external appearance of Hygrophorus ponderatus resembles H. subalpinus, but the former species has a sticky or slimy cap surface, a veil that appears to be made of fibers (rather than a membrane), and narrower gills.Habitat and distribution
The fruit bodies of H. subalpinus grows in large clusters under conifers, often near snowbanks, and typically at high elevations, such as on mountains. It is found in North America, from the Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
to the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
.
External links
- Hygrophorus subalpinus at Index FungorumIndex FungorumIndex Fungorum, an international project to index all formal names in the Fungi Kingdom. Somewhat comparable to the IPNI, but with more contributing institutions....