Subalpine waxycap

Appearance

The cap of ''H. subalpinus'' is typically 4 to 6 cm in diameter, with a convex shape that becomes flattened in age; sometimes it develops a central umbo . The cap is sticky, white, and the cap margin often has fragments of the veil adhering. The flesh is soft, thick and white. The gills, which are attached decurrently to the stipe , are narrow, packed closely together, and white-colored. The stipe is white, 3 to 4 centimetres long and 1 to 2 cm thick at the apex; when young the base of the stipe is bulbous but as it grows it thins and becomes almost the same width as at the top of the stem. A membranous annulus is present, placed low on the stipe.The spores are white in deposit; microscopically, they are ellipsoid and smooth, with dimensions of 8–10 by 4.5–5 µm. There are no cystidia present in the gills of this species, and clamp connections are present on the hyphae.

Naming

The external appearance of ''Hygrophorus ponderatus'' resembles ''H. subalpinus'', but the former species has a sticky or slimy cap surface, a veil that appears to be made of fibers , and narrower gills.

Distribution

The fruit bodies of ''H. subalpinus'' grows in large clusters under conifers, often near snowbanks, and typically at high elevations, such as on mountains. It is found in North America, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Northwest.

Habitat

The fruit bodies of ''H. subalpinus'' grows in large clusters under conifers, often near snowbanks, and typically at high elevations, such as on mountains. It is found in North America, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Northwest.