Gliophorus psittacinus

Morphological Features:

Pileus of small dimensions, reaching at most 5 cm in diameter; hemispherical to convex, eventually expanding while consistently retaining an obtuse umbo at the center. Variegated in color, i.e., showing diffuse mottling of several hues, with greenish tones predominating, but also yellowish, orange, and even reddish shades. Cuticle markedly viscid and margin striate.

Lamellae adnate, well-separated from one another, broad and thick; variable in color, greenish, yellowish, or almost invariably a combination of both.

Stipe cylindrical, proportionate or elongated, hollow from an early stage. Initially entirely coated in a greenish viscid layer, imparting this color; however, it gradually turns yellow starting from the base, with yellow becoming predominant in fully developed or older specimens, except for the upper portion which remains green. It is as viscid as the pileus.

Flesh scant, soft, white in color, sometimes with greenish tinges. Odor practically absent; taste very mild and sweet.

Habitat:

A heliophilous species, appearing primarily in autumn among the grass of meadows or pastures, and also in herbaceous clearings within forests. It is not a frequently encountered species.

Observations:

A small, viscid mushroom without culinary value. Several varieties formerly recognized as distinct taxa are now synonymized, namely var. abietina, more typical of forests, even greener and spring-fruiting, or var. perplexa, formerly known as Hygrocybe sciophana. We consider it one of the few species in its genus that can be identified with relative ease due to its viscid nature and greenish coloration.