Probably in general appearance the Perplexing hypholoma most nearly resembles the brick-red Hypholoma, H. sublateritium; but it has often been mistaken for the tufted Hypholoma, H. fasciculare. From this it may be separated by the more red cap, the whitish flesh, the purplish-brown color of the mature gills, and the mild flavor. From H. sublateritium it is distinguished by its usually smaller size, more slender hollow stem, the yellow greenish and purplish tints of the gills, and the absence of a bitter flavor. Some may prefer to consider it a variety of this fungus, rather than a distinct species.
Its cap is 1–3 in. broad, its stem 2–3 in. long and 2–4 lines thick. It commonly grows in clusters, though sometimes singly, on or about old stumps or prostrate trunks of trees, in woods or open places. The caps of the lower ones in a cluster are often defiled and apparently discolored by the spores that have lodged on them from the upper ones. It appears in autumn, and continues until freezing weather stops its growth. It is a very common species, as well as a late one, and may often be gathered in large quantity. Its flavor is not first quality, but with good preparation it makes a very acceptable dish. It has been tested by myself and correspondents several times, and has been proved harmless. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881–1885; New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, October to January. On stumps, roots, ground containing decayed woody matter. McIlvaine.
H. perplexum is abundant in most if not all the states. I have eaten it and its allied species since 1881; dried them, pickled them, and fed them to many. If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or all of these species, because no description fits, he can whet his patience and appetite by calling it H. perplexum and graciously eating it.
H. capnoi´des Fr. Gr—like smoke, from the color of the gills. Pileus 1 in. sometimes 3 in. broad, ochraceous-yellowish, fleshy, convex, then flattened, obtuse, dry, smooth. Flesh somewhat thin, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–4 lines thick, growing together at the base, hollow, equal, often curved and flexuous, becoming silky-even, pallid, whitish at the apex, here and there striate, becoming rust-colored under the surface-covering when old. Cortina appendiculate, white, then becoming brownish-purple. Gills adnate, easily separating, somewhat crowded, rather broad, arid, at first bluish-gray then becoming brownish-purple.
Cespitose, fasciculate; odor and taste mild. On pine-stumps. Uncommon. Fries.
Spores ellipsoid-spheroid, 7×5µ K.; elliptical, brownish-purple, 8×4µ Massee.
California, H. and M.; Minnesota, not necessarily in fir-woods, Johnson; New York, on or about stumps or decaying wood of spruce. Peck, 50th Rep.
Haddonfield, N.J., 1894. Pine roots and stumps, and on ground. Cespitose. September to frost. McIlvaine.
A pretty species with caps up to 1½ in. across. Stem 2–4 in. long, ¼-⅜ in. thick, growing together (connate). The taste and smell are pleasant. The basket is soon filled from its clusters. There is not a better Hypholoma. The slightly soapy taste which attaches to most of the abundant and better known species is absent in this.