Hygrophorus piceae

Hygrophorus piceae, commonly known as the white waxy cap, is a species of mushroom in the family Hygrophoraceae. While technically edible, it is considered to be bland and slimy.^[1]

The cap of Hygrophorus piceae is white in color and about 1-5 centimeters in diameter. It starts out campanulate to convex and becomes broadly convex or flat in age.^[1] It is slimy when wet.^[2] The stipe is about 2-7 centimeters long and 3-10 millimeters wide. It is also white in color, but can become yellowish in older specimens.^[1] The gills are whitish in color and adnate to decurrent.^[2] The spore print is white.^[1]

Hygrophorus piceae has at least two extremely similar species that have yet to be described. Other similar species include the larger, slimy-stalked H. eburneus, the almondy-smelling H. sitchensis, and the beige or off-white H. gliocyclus.

Hygrophorus piceae can be found in the Pacific Northwest, where it often grows in spruce forests near the coast. It also sometimes occurs at higher elevations.^[1]