Early hygrophorus (Hygrophorus marzuolus)
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Hygrophoraceae (Hygrophoric)
- Genus: Hygrophorus (Gigrofor)
- Species: Hygrophorus marzuolus (Early Gigroforus)
Synonyms:
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Gigrofor March
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Snow mushroom
External description Fleshy and thick cap, spherical at first, then spread out, sometimes slightly depressed. It has a bumpy surface, wavy edges. Dry, smooth skin, silky in appearance, due to the fibers covering it. Thick, short sturdy stem, slightly curved or cylindrical, with a silvery, velvety surface. Wide, frequent plates, which are interspersed with intermediate plates and descend along the pedicle. Dense and delicate pulp, with a pleasant subtle taste and smell. Elliptical, smooth white spores, 6-8 x 3-4 µm. The color of the cap varies from light gray to lead gray and blackish with large specks. White stem, often silvery and silky. Its top is covered with a light shade. At first, the plates are white, then grayish. White flesh covered with gray spots.
Edibility A good edible mushroom that is one of the first to appear. An excellent side dish for a roast.
Habitat Rare species, abundant in places. Grows in deciduous and coniferous forests, mainly in the mountains, under beeches.
Season Early species, occasionally seen under snow during the spring thaw.
Similar species Strongly similar to the edible gray ryadovka, but it occurs in the fall and is distinguished by a lemon-yellow tint on the stem and pale gray frequent plates.
