slegill

Slegill is a small to medium basidiomycete fungus commonly encountered in temperate forests. It belongs to the order Agaricales, and field guides frequently list it by the common name slegill. The species is noted for its viscid cap and pale spore print, which aid in identification in the field.

Description: Cap 2–5 cm, initially hemispherical, becoming convex to plano-convex; surface sticky or gelatinous when moist; color ranges from pale ochre to light brown. Gills are adnate to decurrent; stem 3–6 cm tall, white to pale with a slightly yellow cast; universal veil fragments may be present as small ring remnants. Flesh white; odor mild.

Habitat and ecology: Slegill favors mixed woodlands, growing on decaying hardwood and conifer logs and stumps. It fruits from late summer through autumn in temperate regions. The fungus is saprotrophic, breaking down lignin and cellulose and contributing to nutrient cycling; it may form weak mycorrhizal associations in some ecosystems.

Taxonomy and edibility: The name slegill is derived from descriptive notes in early field observations, though the exact etymology is uncertain. Classification within modern taxonomy places slegill in Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, order Agaricales. Edibility is generally considered good when properly identified and prepared, but foragers are advised to avoid similar-looking species that are poisonous.