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Yellowish-white hygrophorus is an agaric fungus that is part of the Hygrophoraceae family of the same name. It prefers to grow in moss, in which it “hides” up to the very hat. You can also hear other names for this species: cowboy handkerchief, wax hat. And in official mycological reference books, it is listed as Hygrophorus eburneus.
What does yellowish-white hygrophorus look like?
It has a classic fruiting body shape. The size of the cap in diameter ranges from 2 to 8 cm. At the initial stage of growth, the upper part is hemispherical, then it takes the form of a wide bell with the edge tucked inward. And when ripe, it becomes prostrate with a tubercle in the center. The surface of the cap is white, but turns slightly yellow as it matures. It may also develop pale rusty spots when ripe.
On the reverse side of the cap, the yellowish-white hygrophore has narrow sparse plates descending onto the stem. They are identical in color to the upper part of the mushroom. Spores ellipsoid, colorless. Their size is 9 x 5 µm.
The upper part of the yellowish-white hygrophore is covered with a thick layer of mucus, which makes it difficult to collect.
The stem is cylindrical, slightly narrowed at the base. The lower part is straight, but may be curved in some specimens. The structure is dense, fibrous. The color of the legs is white, scaly belts can be seen on the surface.
The pulp is snow-white, the shade does not change upon contact with air. It has a slight mushroom smell. The structure of the pulp is tender, with a slight impact it easily breaks, therefore it does not tolerate transportation well.
Where does hygrophorus yellowish-white grow?
The yellowish-white hygrophore is common in Europe, North America and Africa. Grows in deciduous forests and mixed plantings. Prefers to settle near hornbeam and beech. In most cases, it grows in numerous groups, but also occurs singly.
Is it possible to eat hygrophor yellowish-white
This species is considered edible and belongs to the third category in terms of taste. You can use yellowish-white hygrophorus fresh and after processing. Adult specimens are recommended to fry, boil, use for making sauces. Young fruits are best suited for pickling and pickling.
False doubles
By external signs, the yellowish-white hygrophore is similar to other species. Therefore, in order to be able to recognize twins, one should know their characteristic differences.
Hygrophorus maiden or Hygrophorus virgineus. A conditionally edible double, but in terms of taste it is significantly inferior to its relative. The diameter of the upper part reaches 5-8 cm. It is white, but when ripe, the center may acquire a yellowish tint. The fruiting period begins at the end of summer and continues until the second half of September. It grows in meadows along paths and clearings in numerous groups. The official name is Cupphophyllus virgineus.
The main difference between the girlish hygrophore is that its hat remains dry even in conditions of high humidity.
Limacella oil or smeared. A little-known edible mushroom of the Amanita family. The top diameter is 3-10 cm, its shade is white or light brown. The surface of the top and bottom is slippery. Plates are white-pink. The pulp exudes an oily, perfume-like odor. It is recommended to eat in dried, fried form. The official name is Limacella illinita.
Limacella oil prefers to grow in conifers
Rules for collection and use
The fruiting period of the yellowish-white hygrophore begins in August and continues until late autumn until frost sets in. Due to the fragile structure, it must be collected carefully and put into a basket with a hat down. When harvesting, it is important to cut the fruits carefully at the base so as not to violate the integrity of the mycelium.
This species has a pleasant sweetish taste, so it can be cooked on its own, as well as in combination with other mushrooms.
Conclusion
Yellowish-white hygrophorus contains a large amount of biologically active substances, among which there are also fatty acids. Due to this, it has antifungal and bactericidal properties. This species is not only useful, but also in its nutritional value is not inferior to mushrooms. But many lovers of quiet hunting bypass him, because by appearance he looks very much like a toadstool.