John Smalldridge Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 This appears to be armillaria mellea but it seems late for them and all the ones I usually find have long stems. White spore print. The next I believe is hygrophorus niveus. White spore print. The next I'm wondering if it may be amanita bisporigera.
Dave W Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 Armillaria sometimes occurs until late in the season. These consists of a group of species, often difficult to pin down beyond "Armillaria." The single specimen in the second photo looks a bit unusual to me, maybe just an atypical example. 3rd and 4th photos look like Armillaria to me. Another thing to check if in doubt. Slice a stem on the bias and see if you can identify a fibrous outer ring of "skin" surrounding a white pithy interior. Older or bug-riddles specimens may have stalks that are hollowed-out or with interior flesh stained reddish-brown. Hygrophorus niveus looks like a reasonable name for the small white mushrooms. The white waxies with decurrent gills have been somewhat of a taxonomic nightmare over the past 5 or so years, having been placed into genera Hygrophorus, Hygrocybe, Camarophyllus (I believe a defunct genus), and currently Cuphophyllus. My understanding is that the "lumpers" currently hold sway over these types with C. virgineus the one name being applied to the pure white waxies with decurrent gills. Along with niveus the species names borealis and pratensis var. pallida have also been applied. This type (types?) seems to me to have gills that are variably inter-veined and variably robust stature. Photos below show what appear to be two different types. I believe these are now both lumped under the virgineus species name. But the more robust ones may possibly still qualify as Cuphophyllus pratensis var. pallidus... wheh! The Amanitas are interesting. I don't thing they are A. bisporigera, as these types (several NA White Angel species, section Phalloideae) generally have larger rings, more pronounced basal structure, and usually a chalky or slightly metallic luster. I think these may be something from section Validae, maybe one of the citrina or brunnescens species. If you use these photos to make a post at Mushroom Observer, you are likely to get a response from Rod Tulloss who is one of the foremost authorities regarding genus Amanita.
John Smalldridge Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks DaveW. You are very helpful and informative as usual. As far as the white waxies go, the books say they are edible with some listed as good. Have you ever tried any?
Dave W Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 The thick-fleshed robust pratensis-looking types are good. The thin-fleshed borealis types I haven't tried, at least I don't recall trying them. They probably cook down to produce little substance. Another species (not lumped into virgineus) is Hygrocybe chrysodon. This one has tine golden/yellow flecks on the caps and/or stalks. Listed as edible; I haven't tried it. Hygrophorus pudorinus is a robust whitish waxy that smells like turpentine. Chances are it'll make you sick if you eat it. I think the main danger here is confusion with the white species of Clitocybe, in particular the C. dealbata types. These are potentially dangerously toxic. White gills are decurrent but not thick and/or waxy. White spore prints. It's not that difficult to learn to distinguish between the Clitocybes and the waxies. Texture of flesh and gills are different for the two different groups.
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