Slimy Spike, or Herald Of Winter?

[Lancashire Lad]

Found on 8th November in coniferous woodland, I was led to believe with some certainty, that these are Slimy Spike - Gomphidius glutinosus.

However, recently posted photos, along with further browsing, has put some doubts in my mind. - Could they be Herald of Winter - Hygrophorus hypothejus?

Is there sufficient info in the photos to confirm one way or the other?

Largest cap approx. 80mm diameter, tallest stipe approx. 90mm.




Any thoughts much appreciated.
Regards,
Mike.

[cybershot]

Despite the size issue you will not be surprised to learn I would say, because of the yellow tones present in stipe and gills, that Hygrophorus hypothejus - Herald of Winter is the hot contender in this case. The yellow of Gomphidius glutinosus appears 'towards the base of the stipe and the gills are gray-whitish when young later gray to black with a vilolet tint'. (Ref: B&K Vol 3 Spp 71 and 115)

Others' thoughts will be interesting Mike.

David

[Lancashire Lad]

Thanks David.

I had taken it for granted that these were Slimy Spike, as I had previously never seen them, and the finder was "certain" of the ID.

However, I suspected Herald Of Winter as soon as I saw photos on WAB, and was pretty much convinced of that after some image comparisons of both fungi.

Your description of the all yellow versus yellow base stipes, and different gill colourations also confirms what I'd come to believe.

Regards,
Mike.

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Concerning Gomphidius glutinosus I always think "that mushroom just don't look right", like the cap is the wrong size for the stem or something. To my eye the differences are that the Gomphidius has a darker cap, more widely spaced gills and a sort of black ring-like colouring of the stem where it gets thinner just as it connects to the cap. Also the Herald of the Winter is always found in pine forests, hence the alternative name Pinewood Wax Cap. Not sure about G. glutinosus as I've only found it in spruce forest- then again I've only ever found it a couple of times.

[Michael Jordan]

The Gomphidiaceae is a family that tends to fox people. For any ABFG member following this thread, or anyone who has access to The Forayer, there is, by coincidence, a photographic article covering Gomphidius roseus, Gomphidius maculatus and Chroogomphus rutilus in the forthcoming December issue of the magazine.

Michael Jordan