Appearance
The cap ranges in shape from obtuse to broadly convex, to nearly flattened, measuring 2–5 cm in diameter. It has a smooth, slimy or sticky surface that is initially rosy-pink before fading to cream color, and grayish pinkish-buff when dry. The pallid to cream-colored flesh is thin, and has a mild taste and odor. Gills have an adnate attachment to the stipe and have one tier of interspersed lamellulae . The stipe measures 3–6 cm long by 0.3–8 cm wide, and is roughly equal in width throughout its length. It has a dry surface with a cream color that lightens to about the same color as the cap when dry. The edibility of this species has not been tested.The spores, which measure 12–15 by 7–9 µm, are elliptical to egg-shaped in face view, and inequilateral in side view. The basidia are four-spored and measure 50–80 by 10–12 µm. The hymenium lacks both pleurocystidia and cheliocystidia. The cap cuticle is made of a layer of gelatinous, branched, intricately interwoven hyphae measuring 2–4 µm in diameter.
The similar species ''Hygrophorus avellaneiformis'' and ''H. sublutescens'' can be distinguished from ''H. goetzii'' by their smaller spores and two-spored basidia.
Distribution
The fruit bodies of ''Hygrophorus goetzi'' grow singly or in small groups on the ground under conifers in montane habitats. Because they are snowbank mushrooms, they are often found near melting snow, or sometimes even growing through the snow. Fruiting occurs in spring or early summer.Habitat
The fruit bodies of ''Hygrophorus goetzi'' grow singly or in small groups on the ground under conifers in montane habitats. Because they are snowbank mushrooms, they are often found near melting snow, or sometimes even growing through the snow. Fruiting occurs in spring or early summer.References:
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