| Hypholoma capnoides | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Strophariaceae |
| Genus: | Hypholoma |
| Species: | H. capnoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypholoma capnoides | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
| Hypholoma capnoides | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Gills onhymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium is adnate |
 | Stipe has aring |
 | Spore print is purple-brown |
 | Ecology issaprotrophic |
 | Edibility isnot recommended |
Hypholoma capnoides,[1] commonly known as theconifer tuft,[2] is a mushroom in the familyStrophariaceae. Found in both the Old and New World, it grows on decaying wood and isedible, though may resemble somepoisonous species.
The cap is up to 8 centimetres (3 inches) in diameter with yellow-to-orange-brownish or matt yellow colour, sometimes viscid.[3] It is convex then flattens in age.[4] The stipe is yellowish, somewhat rust-brown below, growing to 12 cm (4+3⁄4 in) long.[5] The flesh is yellow.[4] The taste is mild, compared to mostHypholomas which are bitter.[6]
Thegills are initially pale orangish-yellow, pale grey when mature, later darker purple to brown.[5] Thespore print is dark burgundy to brown.[5]
The poisonousHypholoma fasciculare (sulphur tuft) is more common in many areas.H. capnoides has greyish gills due to the dark color of itsspores, whereas sulphur tuft has greenish gills. It could also perhaps be confused with the deadlyGalerina marginata or the good edibleKuehneromyces mutabilis.[6]
Additionally, it resembles members ofFlammula andPholiota.[5]
Like its poisonous relativeH. fasciculare ('sulphur tuft'),H. capnoides grows in clusters on decaying wood,[3] for example in tufts on old tree stumps, in North America, Europe, and Asia.[3]
Though edible when cooked,[7][4] it could be confused with some poisonous species.