Large white viscid fungi in conifer wood

[AAK]

Hi,

A large number of these found on and around a felled conifer in Hampshire. Cap diameter 7cm cream/pale apricot in colour, whiter at the margin. Most distinguishing feature was the thick clear mucous covering the fungi seen on the left of the caps, or by looking at the shadow of the leaf fragment on the cap of the right fungus. Uneven length gills concolourous with cap, crowded and adnate/decurrent. Stipe 6-7cm long firm and rubbery with white squamules, but bruising apricot cream. Spore print brown with olive tinge. Spores ovate and circa 6um x 4-4.5um.

Can anyone help with an identification? It was a dry day, but it had rained heavily the day before. Thanks and regards

[adampembs]

I would be thinking Cortinarius subgenus myxaca or possibly a Hebeloma but the spores are the wrong shape and should be ornamented. The gills are rather pale for a brown spored species. Did they darken and did you take a photo of the spore print?

[adampembs]

How about Pholiota lenta?

[AAK]

Thanks Adam, looks a good bet. Ticks many boxes re size and colour of cap, the pale wooly scales below an indistinct ring zone and the size and shape of the spores. Im further won over by its appropriate common name – the slimy scalycap. Appreciate the input, thanks.

[Author]

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