Larch Waxy Cap
Unquestionably one of the most gorgeous of North American fungi, this species occurs under larch and Ponderosa pine. The caps and stipe are covered with a layer of glutenous slime when fresh. Caps are reddish orange, fading to yellow but usually retaining a reddish disc. The stipes are white initially but as the slime dries they turn yellow. Caps reach about 2 inches in width, borne on stalks up to 2.5 inches. Gills are creamy to pale yellowish, and run down the stipe somewhat, with an arched appearance. It has no odor, and like most waxy caps it is edible but tastes bland and unappetizing.