Gomphidius Fr.
The European members of this genus are recognized by their overall appearance, hymenophore of gills, viscid cap surface and the presence of glutinous veil.
Gomphidius glutinosus (Schaeff. : Fr.) Fr.
Description
Fruitbodies with glutinous veil, its remnants seen as glutinous ring in the upper part of the stipe. Cap up to 10 cm, depressed, often umbonate, rarely flat, flat-convex or convex, grey to brown, viscid. Stipe mostly cylindrical or sometimes spindle-shaped and usually tapering towards the base, white, whitish or sometimes brownish, yellow in the lower part, with glutinous ring in the upper part. Flesh white or whitish, yellow in the stipe base, unchanging when exposed to air. Gills whitish at first, gradually becoming grey to dark grey with age, unchanging when bruised. Smell not distinctive. Taste not distinctive. Spores 17–20 × 5–6.5 μm.
Habitat. In coniferous and mixed forests, mycorrhizal with pines (Pinus), rarely with other conifers.
Distribution. In Europe widespread.
Similarity. Might be confused with Gomphidius maculatus, but the latter has strongly blackening fruitbodies.
Photographs
Fruitbodies of Gomphidius glutinosus. (photo I. Assyova)
Fruitbody of Gomphidius glutinosus. Note the decurrent gills and the dark ring. (photo B. Assyov)
Fruitbody of Gomphidius glutinosus. The viscid cap cuticle is easily seen. (photo B. Assyov)
Fruitbody of Gomphidius glutinosus. The yellow colour in the stipe base is also characteristic for this species. (photo B. Assyov)
Important literature
Breitenbach J. & Kränzlin F. 1991. Pilze der Schweiz. Bd. 3(1). Röhrlinge und Blätterpilze. Verlag Mykologia, Luzern.
Bresinsky, A. 1965. Exsikkatenschlüssel für die Gattung Gomphidius in Mitteleuropa (Agaricales). – Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung München 5: 125–134. (available online)
Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. [eds.]. 2008. Funga Nordica. Nordsvamp, Kopenhagen.
Pilát, A. & Dermek, A. 1974. Hríbovité huby. Československé hríbovité a sliziakovité huby (Boletaceae – Gomphidiaceae). Veda, Bratislava.
Watling, R. & Hills, A.E. 2005. Boletes and their allies (revised and enlarged edition). – In: Henderson, D.M., Orton, P.D. & Watling, R. [eds]. British Fungus Flora. Agarics and boleti. Vol. 1. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.