Arched Woodwax

Arched Woodwax Hygrophorus camarophyllus (Alb. & Schwein.) Dumée, Grandjean & Maire (illustrated 60% life size) Cap 2–7cm across, convex, slightly knobbed or flat with umbo; sooty grey; sticky when wet, then dry and smooth with a downy margin. Stem 25–130×10–20mm; pale to smoky grey-brown; silky, fine hairs near the top. Flesh white; thick, fragile; taste mild, smell slight, of coal tar. Gills adnate, close to subdistant, broadish; white or slightly yellowish; very waxy. Spores 7–10×4–4¼, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in acid conifer woods; summer to autumn. Extremely rare in Britain, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.