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A bright mushroom of the Hygroforaceae family – yellow-green hygrocybe, or dark chloride, impresses with its unusual color. These basidiomycetes are distinguished by the small size of the fruiting body. The opinions of mycologists differ about their edibility, it is assumed that this representative of the Hygroforaceae family is inedible. In scientific sources, the Latin name of the fungus is found – Hygrocybe chlorophana.
What does a yellow-green hygrocybe look like?
Young mushrooms have a spherical convex cap, the diameter of which does not exceed 2 cm. As it grows, it becomes flat, its size can reach up to 7 cm. Some specimens have a small tubercle in the center of the cap, while others have a depression.
The color of the upper part of the fruiting body is bright lemon or orange.
Due to the ability to accumulate liquid, the size of the cap can increase by almost 2 times in wet weather. The edges of the upper part of the fruiting body are uneven, ribbed.
The skin on the surface is smooth, even, but sticky
The leg of the yellow-green hygrocybe is thin, even and short, narrowing closer to the base. Often its length does not exceed 3 cm, but there are specimens whose stem grows up to 8 cm. Its color is light yellow.
Depending on weather conditions, the skin of the leg can become dry or sticky, wet
The pulp of the base of the fungus is brittle and fragile. This is due to the small diameter of the stem – less than 1 cm. Outside, the lower part of the fruiting body is covered with sticky mucus. The inside is dry and hollow. There is no ring or remnants of a veil on the leg.
The flesh is thin and fragile. Even with light impact, it breaks and crumbles. The color of the pulp can be pale or deep yellow. She has no definite taste, but the smell is pronounced, mushroom.
The hymenophore of the fungus is lamellar. Initially, the plates are white, thin, long, with time they become bright orange.
In young specimens, the plates are practically free.
In old basidiomycetes, they adhere to the stem, forming a light white coating in this place.
Spores are oval, oblong, ovoid or ellipsoidal, colorless, with a smooth surface. Dimensions: 6-8 x 4-5 microns. Spore powder is fine, white.
Where does hygrocybe dark chloride grow?
This is the rarest type of hygrocybe. Single specimens are found in North America, in Eurasia, in the mountainous regions of southern Australia, in the Crimea, in the Carpathians, in the Caucasus. In Our Country, rare specimens can be found in Eastern Siberia and the Far East.
In Poland, Germany and Switzerland, the yellow-green hygrocybe is listed in the Red Book of Endangered Species.
The described fruiting body prefers forest or meadow fertile soil, mountainous terrain, is found on pastures rich in organic matter, among moss. Grows alone, rarely in small families.
The growth period of the hygrocybe is yellow-green and long. The first fruiting bodies ripen already in May, the last representative of the Hygroforaceae family can be found at the end of October.
Is it possible to eat hygrocibe yellow-green
Scientists differ on the edibility of the species. All known sources give conflicting information. It is only known that yellow-green hygrocybe does not contain toxic substances, but mycologists do not recommend eating basidiomycete, which is practically not studied due to its small population.
Conclusion
Hygrocibe yellow-green (dark chloride) – a small, bright mushroom, painted in yellow, orange, straw tones. It practically does not occur in the forests and meadows of Our Country. In some countries it is listed in the Red Book. There is no consensus on the edibility of the mushroom among scientists. But they are all sure that there are no toxins in its pulp.