Tylopilus niveus G.Stev.

Description

Protologue: Pileus 3 cm. diam., convexus, niveus, apprime glutinosus, velo annulari membranaceo fugaci appendiculatus; caro mollis, alba, immutabilis. Pori usque ad I-5 mm. diam., albi tandem pallide roseo-hinnulei, ad stipitem rotundato-adnati. Stipes 7 x I-I-5 cm., obclavatus basi incrassatus, albus, glutinosus, superficies reticulata reticulis longitudinaliter elongatis. Sporae 17-18 x 6-7 µm, hyaline, laeves, ellipsoideae, (Fig. I), in cumulo paene non coloratum sed roseo-tinctum. Cystidia non visa. Pileus 3 cm. diam., snow-white, exceedingly mucilaginous, pellicle of loosely woven hyphae covered by large drops of mucilage containing a mass of small oil drops, fragments of a veil hanging on margin; flesh white, soft. Pores up to 1–5 mm. diam., dissepiments with woolly appearance under lens, surface white at first, finally becoming pale pinkish fawn, depressed round stipe, hymenophoral trama mixed. Stipe 7 x 1-1.5 cm. tapering upwards, white, mucilaginous, covered by a network of ridges. Spores 17-18 x 6-7 µm, hyaline, ellipsoid, print almost colourless but with a pink tinge. Cystidia not seen.

Type: New Zealand, Nelson, Totaranui, 12.4.1955, Stevenson 978 (K).

Habitat: Under Nothofagus.

Illustration: Fig 1 on p. 382 shows line drawings of basidioma and spores.