About Hygrophorus purpurascens (Alb. & Schwein.) Fr.
The fruit bodies of Hygrophorus purpurascens have the following morphological characteristics. The cap ranges from convex to flattened in shape, and measures 6–15 cm (2.4–5.9 in) in diameter. Its cap color transitions from pinkish red at the center to white, and is often irregularly tinged with pink. The cap flesh is white. The gills attach to the stipe in a decurrent arrangement; they are white to pale pink, and are spotted with pinkish or purplish red. The stipe measures 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) long by 1–2.4 cm (0.4–0.9 in) wide, matches the cap's approximate color, and is often spotted with dark red. This fungus produces a white spore print. Its spores are thin-walled, elliptical, smooth, and measure 5.5–8 by 3–4.5 μm. The spore-bearing basidia are narrowly club-shaped, thin-walled, four-spored, and measure 40–56 by 5–8 μm. In terms of habitat and distribution, Hygrophorus purpurascens fruit bodies grow on the ground in clusters or groups underneath conifer trees. It is classified as a snowbank mushroom, and is commonly found fruiting near the edges of snowbanks, or shortly after snowmelt. This species' fruit bodies are edible, though they may have a bitter taste.
