The "H"umble Mushroom

[Dave W]

Pretty good diversity seen across the letter H.

Hapalopilus nidulans is a "dye polypore" found on dead hardwood branches or sticks. I was just reading about this fungus and was surprised to learn it is toxic, possibly dangerously so. One of few toxic polypores I am aware of.

Harrya chromapes used to be called Tylopilus chromapes. A really pretty mushroom, easily IDed by the chrome yellow stalk base, pink cap, and pinkish scaber-like dots on the stalk. A decent edible if you find it before the insects do. I usually see it in woods with hemlock mixed with hardwoods.

Hebeloma crustuliniforme is known as "poison pie". Probably the most common Hebeloma around here, although there are other similar species. There are also some very similar Pholiota species, and Hebelomas may also be confused with Cortinarius species. Nothing mentioned in this paragraph should be eaten. A key feature on H. crustuliniforme is the shiny flakes seen near the stalk apex. Usually found in open areas near trees, always during fall. The spores have a somewhat distinctive shape.

Helvella is a genus of ascomycetes that feature small cups atop stalks.

Hemimycena is a genus of small fragile moss-dwelling mushrooms. These are likely Hemimycena lactea.

The genus Boletus is currently being split apart into numerous new genera, which is quickly making bolete nomenclature more and more challenging. A few species of smallish red and yellow boletes have been put into genus Hortiboletus, by way, I believe, genus Xerocomus... or was it Xerocomellus? The old Boletus species names are campestris, fraternus, and rubellus. Fraternus and reubellus have been lumped, but it looks like species campestris has survived for the moment. It's really difficult to tell campestris and rubellus apart. Here's some results of my best efforts... but honestly, these photos may show the same species, or even be labeled in exact reverse.

Hortiboletus rubellus.

Hortiboletus campestris.

Something seems to be preventing me from attaching photos... I'll continue this topic by replying.

[Dave W]

"H" continued...

Many mushroom hunters recognize genus Hericium. I have yet to find Hericium erinaceus, but Hericum americanum is common around here. The spines are usually about one inch long and clustered together in clumps that attach to a thick-fleshed body.

Hericium corraloides, the Comb Tooth, has shorter spines that are arranged along branches.

Hydnellum is a genus of "tooth" fungi that grow on roots of living trees. Hydnellum spongiosipes is used to make dyes. It associates with oak.

Hydnellum concrescens is usually found with conifers.

Looks like the photo-attaching problem has returned.... Continued for a second time.

[Dave W]

Hydnum, the "Tooth Mushrooms" or "Hedgehogs" and excellent edibles.

Hydnum repandum mushrooms can get pretty large. I find this type most often under beech.

Hydnum umbilicatum are a small orange-capped species. A "belly button" depression develops in the cap center after this mushroom matures. I find this type under hemlock or pine.

Hygrocybe mushrooms used to be lumped in with genus Hygrophorus. Most Hygrocybes are fragile and often brightly colored.

Hygrocybe miniata.

Hygrocybe flavescens.

Hygrocybe cantharellus is named for its decurrent gills which are reminiscent of some types of Chanterelles.

Hygrocybe conica is a toxic species. All parts bruise/stain black.

Most Hygrophorus mushrooms occur around here during fall. The late-season types are mainly pretty slimy.

Hygrophorus flavodiscus is an edible pine associate.

Hygrophorus hypothyjus was a new species for me to learn this year. It has yellow gills and associates with pine.

Hygrophorus pudorinus often has a noticeable odor.

Again... continued

[Dave W]

Hygrophorus russula is an unusual species. Viewed from above, it looks like a Russula.

Hemistropharia albocrenulata used to be placed in genus Pholiota. It's a bit difficult to believe this young specimen has brown spores.

Hygrophoropsis aurantiacum is sometimes called the "False Chanterelle" on account of the shape, forked gills, and color that is sometimes orangish or yellow. This is a complex of closely-related species. These two are likely different species.

Hypomyces is a genus of fungus that parasitizes certain mushrooms... a fungus on a fungus. A popular edible is the Lobster Mushroom, which is actually a Lactarius or Russula mushroom parasitized by Hypomyces lactifluorum.

A similar parasite is Hypomyces lateritius. I have no info on its edibility.

Hypomyces chrysospermus attacks various boletes. Here is is seen on Boleteus campestris...ahh, wait, Hortiboletus cmapestris. Or maybe Hortiboletus rubellus...?

Hypomyces hyalinus is an Amanita parasite. here it is seen on Blushing Amanitas.

Hypsizygus ulmarius is an edible white-spored mushroom that is often found on maple wood, sometimes on a healthy tree. The "water spots" seen on the cap surface are a good ID character for this species. Often mis-labeled as Hypsizygus tessulatus.

Two common Hypholoma species that are found in fall, on wood, are Hypholoma lateritium and Hypholoma fasciculare.

The "Brick Cap" is edible. Hypholoma lateritium.

The "Sulphur Tuft" is toxic. Hypholoma fasciculare.

Hypholoma elongatum is a less common species. It is found in moss.

Hymenopellis mushrooms grow from buried wood. They feature long rooting stalks. The first one seen here is the very common Hymenopellis furfuracea. The second one I did not ID to species.

And finally, an unusual species of club fungus I found back in 2011, Hypocrea leucopus. Found in leaf litter under beech. Only saw this species this one time.

[John Smalldridge]

Thank you Dave for being so persistent in posting this, in spite of the photo posting problem. To me, this may be the best of the alphabet series to date.

[eat-bolete]

Interesting and informative. Thank you Dave!

[CajunShroomer3578]

Wow wow and wow !! I'm with John on this one.

Dave did you carry the dinosaur with you just in case you found that species ?! ? Very creative

[Dave W]

My friend Joan --whose an artist-- likes to photograph these little guys posed in natural settings.

Thanks for the comments, all. Winter is flying by here. Gotta get back into the alphabet before I'm back out in the woods looking for morels!