Hygrocybe virginea    (Wulfen:Fr.) P.D. Orton & Watling 

common name(s) : Snowy Waxcap, Snow-White Wax Cap 

New classification: Basidiomycota/Agaricomycotina/Agaricomycetes/Agaricomycetidae/Agaricales/Hygrophoraceae  
Former classification: Basidiomycota/Homobasidiomycetes/Agaricomycetideae/Tricholomatales/Hygrophoraceae  

synonyms: Cuphophyllus virgineus, Hygrophorus niveus, Hygrocybe virginea-virginea, Camarophyllus niveus, Hygrophorus virgineus, Camarophyllus virgineus, Hygrocybe nivea, Cuphyphyllus niveus-roseipes 
(unconfirmed synonyms: Cuphophyllus niveus, Agaricus niveus, Agaricus virgineus)  

edibility : edible, good

photo gallery of  Hygrocybe virginea
photo gallery of  Hygrocybe virginea potential confusions with  Hygrocybe virginea toxicity of Hygrocybe virginea genus Hygrocybe  

The cap is white, with sometimes reddish-ochre stains, top-shaped then funnel-shaped; its margin is striate when moist, with a sharp edge. The cap surface is smooth, not viscid nor sticky.

The stem is white, slender, sometimes with pink stains towards base, without ring.

The flesh is white, unchanging; its taste is faint, mild; the odour is faint; its texture is fibrous.

The gills are white, decurrent, distant . The spore print is white. This species is saprophytic. It grows on the ground, in the grass of meadows, forest edges, clearings, lawns, pastures, on a rather acid soil, with hazel, and also with Aleppo pine.

The fruiting period takes place from July to December.
Dimensions: width of cap approximately 3 cm (between 1 and 6 cm)
  height of stem approximately 4 cm (between 1 and 8 cm)
  thickness of stem (at largest section) approximately 4 mm (between 2 and 7 mm)

Chemical tests : none.

Distinctive features : Entirely white, top-shaped then funnel-shaped, non viscid; gills thick, distant, decurrent and greasy to the touch; in grassy areas

Hygrocybe virginea is quite rare and localised in the forest of Rambouillet, and is frequent, more generally speaking .
here should be the distribution map of Hygrocybe virginea in the forest of Rambouillet
Above : distribution map of Hygrocybe virginea in the forest of Rambouillet



page updated on 14/01/18