Hygrophorus early (Hygrophorus marzuolus)
- Division: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Hygrophoraceae (Hygrophoraceae)
- Genus: Hygrophorus
- Type: Hygrophorus marzuolus (Hygrophorus early)
External Description
A fleshy and thick hat, spherical at first, then prostrate, sometimes slightly depressed. It has a bumpy surface, wavy edges. Dry, smooth skin, silky in appearance, due to the fibers covering it. Thick, short strong stem, slightly curved or cylindrical, with a silvery sheen, velvety surface. Wide, frequent plates, which are interspersed with intermediate plates and descend along the stem. Dense and delicate pulp, with a pleasant, slightly perceptible taste and smell. Ellipsoid, smooth white spores, 6-8 x 3-4 microns. The color of the cap varies from light gray to lead gray and blackish with large spots. White stem, often with a silver tint and a silky appearance. 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 appears one of the first. An excellent side dish for stir-fry.
Habitat
A rare species, found abundantly in places. It grows in deciduous and coniferous forests, mainly in the mountains, under beeches.
Season
An early species, sometimes found under snow during the spring thaw.
Similar species
It is very similar to the edible gray row, but it occurs in autumn and is distinguished by a lemon-yellow tint on the stem and pale gray frequent plates.