Posted by John 12/04/12 - - - - - Scroll Down to See the Discussion

John: Found this 2200 ft up above The Dallas .
I usually don`t see mushrooms with any kind of size to them around the place .
. I saw more this last wknd then in previous years ?? Hu? So these stuck out .
I think they are Hygrophorus eburneus .
Very slimy . I wouldn`t put these Slugs anywhere near My mouth !
In open grass oak area. White spores . Any ideas ?

Judy: It does look like it is a Hygrophorous, and probably a subalpinus,
which is usually spring snowbanker, but have found it in the fall.
There are several hefty white species, and this one,
if in young good shape usually shows signs of a veil.
Because you found it with conifers, this would be my guess. Nice specimen!

John: Is the subalpinus .
Slimy as heck .on the stipe and a thick membrane of slim on the cap and sticky

Sava: Looks like subalpinus to me too, but I don't remember it being very slimy.
A striking character of subalpinus is the presence of a gelatinous, translucent universal veil.
If you see it, the ID is done.
But the veil tends to disappear with age, so it may not be there when you look for it.

people have tried subalpinus and it is said to be "mediocre" at best.
But I've eaten it and I liked it (fried till really crisp).
The message is: if the books say "edible but incredible" for a mushroom,
it may be worth giving it a try and get your own conclusion.
We may be pleasantly surprised.

John: I really am not going to eat these .
But I see how this can really help with the ID process .
My gag reflex stops at OYSTERS ! I don`t like handling these things .