B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 35. 2004 (Budapest, 2004)

Vasas, Gizella: Interesting macrofungi in Hungary VI. Four rare basidiomycete species

aureus, but often with some snake-like pattern on the stem, and it grows under larch (Larix). H. hypothejus differs from H. aureus by its colour of the cap and the flesh, even if it is regarded as a variety of H. hypothejus by Imler (IMLER 1935) and Krieglsteiner (KRIEGLSTEINER 2000). Candusso argued the concept of Imler (CANDUSSO 1997), stating that the colour illustration in the publication of Imler shows mushrooms painted ochraceous yellowish flesh-coloured, characteristic of H. hypothejus, while the flesh of H. aureus is white. Krieglsteiner mentions that the cap of H. hypothejus is known in various intermediate colours, and H. aureus is a bright orange variety only. The present author agrees with most mycologists accepting the 2 above-mentioned species of Hygrophorus, however, biochemical investigation would be more convincing to clarify the status of these macrofungi. This species is mainly distributed in northern Europe, Scandinavia (MOSER 1983), and relatively rare in the Mediterranean region (BON 1990). Interestingly, H. aureus is a characteristic species of coniferous woods (CANDUSSO 1997), however it was discovered in and described from a deciduous forest near Uppsala, Sweden by J. P. Arrhenius in 1863. All other authors reported it from coniferous forests. Cap: 2-8 (12) cm in diam. At first hemispherical, conical, convex, then expanding, finally becoming slightly depressed. The margin incurved at the beginning, then becoming smooth and thin. Surface slimy, reddish yellow, reddish orange, and usually darker in the middle. Gills: widely adnate to decurrent, sparse, thick. Its colour is sordid whitish, faint yellow, creamy, dull yellow. Stem: 5-11 cm high, 0.5-1 cm wide, cylindrical, often tapering towards base, elongated, often strongly curved. It is whitish above, becoming pale yellowish towards base, often with small orange spots, the remnants of the outer veil. Its surface is viscid, with a more or less conspicuous, ring-like zone in the upper third part. Flesh: solid, compact, flexuose, with a bit more lax structure in the cap. Colour sordid whitish, directly under skin of the cap is yellowish rose. No characteristic scent and taste. Spores: elliptic, 7-9 x 4-5 pm. Spore powder white. Herbarium specimens: Sopron Mts: Brennbergbánya. Leg.: Gy. Breuer, 27.12.1935. (BP), det.: L. Szemere. - Őrség: Kétvölgy, sub Pinus. Leg., det: L. Albert, 12.11.1983. (BP). - Visegrád Mts: Pilisszentkereszt in Piceeto. Leg., det.: L. Albert, 13.11.1989. (BP). - Galgagyörk, in piceeto. Leg.: Gy. Pálfalvi, 12.11.2003. (BP), det.: G. Vasas.