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Hypholoma capnoides

 
The pale grey gills (never green) of Hypholoma capnoides, the Conifer Tuft, help distinguish it from its poisonous close relative the Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

Considered edible, this species is easily confused with other fungi from the same genus that are inedible. Its small size and infrequent occurrence make it not worth collecting to eat.

Cap

Pale veil remnants are visible at the edge of the rounded caps, which are greasy with bright orange centres in wet weather and dry to pale orange-brown.

3 to 7 cm in diameter, with pale yellow flesh.

Gills

The grey adnate gills turn grey-brown as the fruit body matures.

Stipe

5 to 10 mm in diameter and 5 to 8 cm tall; pale yellow at the top and rusty brown towards the base.

Spore print

Dark wine-brown.

Odour/taste

No significant odour; the taste is mild.

Habitat

In small tufts or singly on conifer stumps and on buried or exposed roots of dead conifers.

Season

August to October.

Occurrence

Infrequent.

Similar species

  1. Hypholoma sublaterium, commonly referred to as Brick Caps, is a larger species with a brick-red central zone and paler margin; it has creamy-yellow gills when young.

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