Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hygrophoraceae

Hygrophorus is the type genus for the Hygrophoraceae family of mushrooms. Members of this genus typically have medium-sized to large caps that are convex, slimy, and dull-colored or whitish and microscopically by their divergent lamellar trama.

Hygrophorus means moisture bearing.

The majority of species initially described as members of Hygrophorus have been transferred to the newer genus Hygrocybe.

Diivergent lamellar trama

At least North America and Europe

Hygrocybe, have smaller caps that are convex to conical, slimy or dry, and are often brightly colored.

No species of Hygrophorus are known to be dangerous, though two or three have been classed as suspected.

¹ L.R. Hesler & Alexander H. Smith., North American species of Hygrophorus, Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1963

² Smith, A.H.; Hesler, L.R. 1942. “Studies in North American species of Hygrophorus – II”. Lloydia. 5(1):1-94

³ Stuntz, Trial key to the species of HYGROPHORUS in the Pacific Northwest (2003)

For a key to identifying species from the Pacific Northwest
see http://www.svims.ca/council/Hygrop.htm