Blackhead (Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Hygrophoraceae (Hygrophoric)
- Genus: Hygrophorus (Gigrofor)
- Species: Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus (Blackhead)
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Gigrofor olive-white
- Sweetheart
- Woodlice olive-white
Synonyms:
- Sweetheart
- Blackhead
- Woodlice olive-white
Blackhead ( lat.Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus ) is a species of Basidiomycete fungi, a member of the genus Gigrofor of the family Hygrophoraceae.
External description
At first, the cap is bell-shaped, cone-shaped, then it becomes prostrate and depressed. In the center there is a tubercle, grooved edges. Slimy, shiny and clammy skin. Rather dense, cylindrical, thin stem. Rare fleshy, wide plates, slightly descending, sometimes with a continuation in the form of thin lines on the top of the leg. Loose white flesh with a weak but sweet taste and pleasant smell. Elliptical smooth white spores, 11-15 x 6-9 microns. The color of the cap changes from brown to olive green and darkens towards the center. Above the leg is white, below it is covered with ring-shaped growths.
Edibility
Medium quality edible mushroom.
Habitat
Blackhead is found in coniferous and mixed forests, most often with spruce and pine.
Season
Summer autumn.
Similar species
The blackhead is similar to the edible hygrophorus persoonii, but it has a dark brown or brownish-gray cap and is found in deciduous forests.