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Gigrofor olive-white - a lamellar mushroom, part of the family with the same name Gigroforovye. It belongs, like its relatives, to Basidiomycetes. Sometimes you can find other names of the species - sweet tooth, blackhead or olive-white woodlouse. It rarely grows singly, most often it forms numerous groups. The official name is Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus.
What does an olive-white hygrophor look like?
The olive-white hygrophor has a classic structure of the fruiting body, so its cap and leg are clearly pronounced. In young specimens, the upper part is conical or bell-shaped. As it ripens, it becomes prostrate and even slightly depressed, but a tubercle always remains in the center. In adult mushrooms, the edges of the cap are tuberous.
The diameter of the upper part of this species is small. The maximum indicator is 6 cm. Even with a slight physical impact, it crumbles easily. The surface color varies from gray-brown to olive, with a more intense shade in the center of the cap. The pulp is of a dense consistency, when broken, it has a white color, which does not change upon contact with air. It has a pleasant mushroom smell and a slightly sweet taste.
On the back of the cap, you can see rare fleshy plates of a white or cream shade, slightly descending to the stem. In some specimens, they can branch out and intertwine. The spores are elliptical, 9-16 (18) × 6-8.5 (9) microns in size. Spore powder is white.
Its leg is cylindrical, fibrous, 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 below, olive-brown scales in the form of rings are clearly visible.
Gigrofor is olive-white in damp weather, after frost it brightens noticeably
Where does the olive-white hygrophor grow
This species is widespread in Europe and North America. It can be found especially in coniferous plantings near spruce and pine. Forms whole families in humid places and lowlands.
Is it possible to eat an olive-white hygrophor
This mushroom is conditionally edible, but its taste is rated at an average level. Only young specimens can be consumed entirely. And in adult olive-white hygrophors, only caps are suitable for food, since the legs have a fibrous structure and coarsen over time.
False doubles
This type is difficult to confuse with others due to its special cap color. But some mushroom pickers find similarities with the Persona hygrophor. It is an edible counterpart. The structure of the fruiting body is very similar to the olive-white hygrophor. However, its spores are much less, and the cap is dark brown with a grayish tint. Grows in deciduous forests. The official name is Hygrophorus persoonii.
Gigrofor Persona forms mycorrhiza with oak
Collection rules and use
The fruiting period for this species begins at the end of summer and lasts until late autumn under favorable conditions. Gigrofor olive-white forms mycorrhiza with spruce, therefore 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 species can also be pickled, boiled and salted.
Conclusion
Gigrofor olive-white, despite its edibility, is not very popular with mushroom pickers. This is primarily due to the small size of the mushroom, average taste and a 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.
