With the approach of spring start for the many fans of the mycology mushroom season. These days it is already possible to travel in the mountains in search of the infamous "Sleeping" (Hygrophorus Marzuolus), mushroom highly sought after the beginning to its appearance in spring and for its excellent commestibiltà. In our area, unfortunately, is little known to mushroom hunters. The Hygrophorus marzuolus is without a doubt, together with morels (genus Morchella), one of the most famous and sought after mushrooms spring: its own specific name refers to the month that often makes its appearance, along with a few other fungi. Who is looking for adventure this igroforo not know how fast is likely to wander in the woods with little satisfaction, given its particular mode of growth. The sleeper in fact often raises almost imperceptibly, the ground, to emerge with only a part of the cap, among other things, with very camouflage colors. It is therefore very difficult to spot in the wood specimens deeply sunken into the ground. The possibilities for confusion are quite remote, and mostly relate to similar species of the genus Hygrophorus, however, growth in autumn.
is hidden under the moss and under the debris of the woods yet when the snow is not completely gone. It 's a robust mushroom by the following morphological characters: Hat : 6-10 (-15) cm, convex, with margin involute, more or less relaxed, very fleshy and often irregularly shaped and tormented because of depressed growth in the soil, smooth cuticle, even greasy or wet weather in the early stages of development, lead-gray, blackish gray, often with the whitish discolored areas more or less extensive. Strips : sparse, beginning, consistency ceracea, fat, gray-white to color. Stem : 5-8 × 2-4 cm, stocky and robust, more or less curved or irregular in shape, or off-white surface. Meat : white, firm, mild flavor, with no particular odor, sometimes unpleasant in mature specimens. Habitat : species typically spring (March-April, sometimes into May), which grows in colonies of up to several examples, often just emerging from the soil (growth semi-underground) and in deciduous than coniferous trees. Uncommon. Edibility: excellent edible.
