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Hygrophorus olive-white is a lamellar mushroom, part of the family with the same name Hygrophoraceae. It belongs, like its relatives, to basidiomycetes. Sometimes you can find other names for the species - sweetweed, blackhead or olive-white woodlice. Rarely grows alone, most often forms numerous groups. The official name is Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus.
What does olive-white hygrophore look like?
The olive-white hygrophore has a classic structure of the fruiting body, so its cap and stem are clearly visible. 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 value is 6 cm. Even with minor physical impact, it crumbles easily. The surface color varies from gray-brown to olive, with a more saturated shade in the center of the cap. The pulp has a dense consistency and, when broken, has a white color that does not change upon contact with air. It has a pleasant mushroom smell and slightly sweet taste.
On the reverse side of the cap you can see sparse fleshy plates of a white or cream color, weakly descending onto the stem. In some specimens they may branch and intertwine. The spores have the shape of an ellipse, their size is 9-16(18)×6-8.5(9) microns. Spore powder is white.
Its leg is cylindrical, fibrous, and often curved. Its height reaches from 4 to 12 cm, and its thickness is 0.6-1 cm. Closer to the cap it is white, and lower down the olive-brown scales in the form of rings are clearly visible.
Hygrophor is olive-white in wet weather, noticeably lighter after frost
Where does hygrophorus olive-white grow?
This species is widespread in Europe and North America. It can be found exclusively in coniferous plantings near spruce and pine. Forms entire families in damp places and lowlands.
Is it possible to eat hygrophor olive-white
This mushroom is conditionally edible, but its taste is rated at an average level. Only young specimens can be consumed whole.And in adult olive-white hygrophores, only the caps are suitable for food, since the legs have a fibrous structure and become coarser over time.
False doubles
This species is difficult to confuse with others because of its special cap color. But some mushroom pickers find similarities with the hygrophor Person. This is an edible double. The structure of the fruiting body is very similar to olive-white hygrophorus. However, its spores are much smaller, and the cap is dark brown with a grayish tint. Grows in deciduous forests. The official name is Hygrophorus persoonii.
Hygrophor Person forms mycorrhiza with oak
Rules for collection and use
The fruiting period for this species begins at the end of summer and continues until late autumn in the presence of favorable conditions. Hygrophorus olive-white forms mycorrhiza with spruce, so it is under this tree that it is most often found. When collecting, it is necessary to give preference to young mushrooms, since their taste is much higher.
This type can also be pickled, boiled and pickled.
Conclusion
Hygrofor olive-white, despite its edibility, is not particularly popular among mushroom pickers. This is due, first of all, to the small size of the mushroom, average taste and 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.
