Extra-slimy Gomphidius     Section

This is a key to gilled mushrooms, that is, mushrooms having a definite cap with a fertile surface consisting of gills. The fruiting body usually also has a stem, although that may be lateral or absent (usually, then, the mushroom is growing from wood). You can use this key to identify mushrooms that you find.

Fruiting body containing fibers (usually in the stalk)

Spore print smoky-olive to black
Gills very decurrent, becoming smoky in age from developing spores
Cap typically slimy, or at least viscid
Under conifers only

Flesh (and gills, before they become colored by developing spores) white to greyish
Stalk typically yellow at the base (in one case it can be pinkish at the base)

Diagnosis

• Slimy partial veil present in young fruiting bodies, leaving the stem viscid in mature fruiting bodies
  
• This veil often leaves a slimy ring on the stalk, which becomes black as falling spores collect on it

Narrow down your identification:

Cap up to 4" across; some shade of brown, usually with tints of reddish brown, grey, purple, or vinaceous, usually spotted or stained black in age

Cap up to 2 1/2" across; bright pink to rosy red (sometimes deep red)

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