Genus: Hygrophorus
Known Species in the County
- Hygrophorus agathosmus – Gray Almond-Scented Waxy Cap
- Hygrophorus camarophyllus*
- Hygrophorus chrysodon – Golden Dust Waxy Cap
- Hygrophorus discoideus
- Hygrophorus eburneus – Cowboy's Handkerchief
- Hygrophorus gliocyclus
- Hygrophorus hypothejus
- Hygrophorus nemoreus var. raphane
- Hygrophorus pusillus
- Hygrophorus roseibrunneus – Rosy Brown Waxy Cap
- Hygrophorus russula – Russula Waxy Cap
- Hygrophorus sordidus – Sordid Waxcap
Approximately 12 species in Santa Cruz County.
Hygrophorus Records from Santa Cruz County:
Hygrophorus are the duller, larger cousins of the more brightly colored waxy caps (Hygrocybe etc.). Although separating them from Tricholoma and other fleshy white-spored genera can be can be subtle, a distinctive gestalt emerges. The thick, waxy, more or less widely-spaced gills, broadly attached (but not usually strongly notched/sinuate) gills, and growth with ectomycorrhizal trees are helpful general features of the genus. In other respects Hygrophorus are variable - some have fibrillose partial veils (usually appearing as an evanescent cortina or leaving a ring zone, but never a membranous ring), some are dry-capped while others are viscid, some are dull while others are quite brightly pigmented. All are ectomycorrhizal, occurring with conifers and hardwoods, primarily in forest settings. A few species are known to be edible (and none are thought to be seriously toxic), but none are particularly popular in our area.
Most diverse in the conifer-dominated bioregion to the north, but a fair assortment occurs in our county (including some fairly restricted Live-oak species).
Important identification characters are: coloration, texture of the cap and stipe surface, host tree, odor, and KOH reactions.
* This species may occur in the county but no verifiable collection has been made.
