About Hygrophorus speciosus Peck
Hygrophorus speciosus, commonly called the larch waxy cap, is a species of fungus belonging to the genus Hygrophorus. It has a bright red-orange cap that fades to yellow as it ages, and a white or yellow stem. Both the cap and stem have a slimy texture, though mature fruit bodies are far less slimy than younger specimens. Its gills range in color from whitish to light yellow, and have a decurrent attachment to the stem. Known lookalike species for H. speciosus are H. hypothejus and H. pyrophilus. This species occurs inland in the Pacific Northwest, growing in areas with abundant larch. It is edible, but the flavor of most Hygrophorus species is considered bland.
