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Olive white hygrophorus is an agaric fungus belonging to the family with the same name Hygrophoraceae. It belongs, like its relatives, to basidiomycetes. Sometimes you can find other names for the species – sweet, blackhead or olive-white wood lice. Rarely grows singly, most often forms numerous groups. The official name is Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus.
What does an olive-white hygrophorus look like?
The olive-white hygrophorus has a classic structure of the fruiting body, so its cap and stem are clearly expressed. In young specimens, the upper part is cone-shaped or bell-shaped. As it matures, it becomes prostrate and even slightly depressed, but a tubercle always remains in the center. In adult mushrooms, the edges of the cap are tuberculate.
The diameter of the upper part of this species is small. The maximum figure is 6 cm. Even with a slight physical impact, it easily crumbles. The color of the surface varies from gray-brown to olive, and in the center of the cap the shade is more saturated. The pulp is of a dense consistency, when broken it has a white color, which does not change when it comes into contact with air. It has a pleasant mushroom smell and a slightly sweet taste.
On the reverse side of the cap, one can see rare fleshy plates of a white or cream shade, slightly descending onto the stem. In some specimens, they may branch and intertwine. The spores are elliptical in shape, their size is 9-16(18)×6-8,5(9) µm. Spore powder is white.
Its leg is cylindrical, fibrous, often curved. Its height reaches from 4 to 12 cm, and its thickness is 0,6-1 cm. Closer to the hat, it is white, and olive-brown scales in the form of rings are clearly visible below.
Hygrophorus olive-white in wet weather, brightens noticeably after frost
Where does hygrophorus olive-white grow?
This species is widely distributed in Europe and North America. It can be found purely in coniferous plantations near spruce and pine. Forms entire families in wet places and lowlands.
Is it possible to eat olive-white hygrophorus
This mushroom is conditionally edible, but its taste is estimated at an average level. Only young specimens can be consumed as a whole. And in adult olive-white hygrophores, only hats are suitable for food, since the legs have a fibrous structure and coarsen over time.
False doubles
This species is difficult to confuse with others because of its special color of the cap. But some mushroom pickers find similarities with Person’s hygrophore. This is an edible twin. The structure of the fruiting body is very similar to the olive-white hygrophore. However, its spores are much smaller, and the cap has a dark brown color with a grayish tint. Grows in deciduous forests. The official name is Hygrophorus persoonii.
Hygrophorus Persona forms mycorrhiza with oak
Rules for collection and use
The fruiting period of this species begins at the end of summer and continues until late autumn in the presence of favorable conditions. The olive-white hygrophorus forms mycorrhiza with spruce, which is why it is most often found under this tree. When harvesting, it is necessary to give preference to young mushrooms, since their taste is much higher.
This type can also be pickled, boiled and salted.
Conclusion
Olive-white hygrophorus, despite its edibility, is not particularly popular with mushroom pickers. This is primarily due to the small size of the mushroom, the average taste and the slippery layer of the cap, which requires more thorough cleaning. In addition, its fruiting period coincides with other more valuable species, so many lovers of quiet hunting prefer the latter.
