Hygrophorus keithgeorgii Stevenson (28 D) = Hygrocybe keithgeorgii (Stevenson) comb. nov. (Basionym: H. keithgeorgii Stevenson, Kew Bull. 16: 378, 1962)

Holotype (K): 'Wellington, N.Z.; leg. Stevenson (648), 15.VI.1948'.

'Pileus 30-35 mm, olive green, hemispherical, some with a broad umbilicus, flocculose; flesh olive green, continuous with that of hollow stipe, ventral plug differing in texture. Gills adnate, mauve tinged on-olive green, deep, distant. Stipe 50 x 5 mm, olive green with mauve tinge at base, waxy, smooth with fine striations, hollow, somewhat tough'. Spores 9-10 x 4-4.5 µm, ellipsoid to cylindrical, sometimes slightly constricted, smooth, inamyloid. Basidia 45-55 x 6-7 µm, 4-spored. Cystidia absent. Cuticle a cutis consisting of repent, hyaline, not gelatinized hyphae (4-10 µm diam.). Clamp connections present.

Under broadleaf forest. New Zealand.

Stevenson 1962: Fig. 2/7, Pl. 6/3.

This very distinct fungus is characterized by its olive green colours in all parts of the fruitingbody. No other close relatives are known from New Zealand or elsewhere.

Pileus -35 mm, olive green, hemispherical, some with broad umbilicus, flocculose; flesh olive green, continuous with that of hollow stipe, ventral plug differing in texture. - Lamellae adnate, mauve tinged on olive-green, deep, distant. -Stipe50 x 5 mm, olive green with mauve tinge at base, waxy, smooth with fme striations, hollow, somewhat tough" (from Stevenson 1962: 1.c.). Spores 9-10 x 4 4.5 um, ellipsoid to cylindrical, occasionally slightly constricted. – Basidia 45-55 x 6-7 um, 4-spored. - Cystidia absent. - Pileipellis a cutis of repent, interwoven, hyaline, subgelatinised hyphae (4-10 um diam.); clamp connections present (Pl. 1, Fig. 7).

DISTRIBUTION: NZ (W).

ECOLOGY: Rare; saprobic in broadleaved forests. June.

TYPE: NZ: W, Wellington, Keith George Park,15 vi 1948, Stevenson, K 648.

[Notes from Kew Type specimen, PRJ 2010] Stevenson collecting label within the type packet uses the name "Hygrophorus olivaceus green cap purple gills"

Pileus 3-3.5 cm. diam., olive green, hemispherical, some with a broad umbilicus, flocculose; flesh olive green, continuous -with that of hollow stipe, central plug differing in texture. Gills adnate, mauve tinged on olive green, deep, distant. Stipe 5 cm. X 5 mm., olive green with a mauve tinge at base, waxy, smooth with fine striations, hollow, somewhat tough. Spores 5 X 10-11μm., narrower at base, hyaline, thin-walled Basidia 40 X 5-6 µm., four-spored.

habitat: under broad leaved forest, Keith George Park, Wellington, 15.6,1949 Stevenson.

Pileus 3-3.5 cm. diam., olivaceus, hemisphaericus, interdum late umbillcatus, flocculosus; came olivacea cum illa stipitis continua, medulla media texturae diversae. Lamellae adnatae, olivaceae, malvaceo-tinctae, latae, distantes. Stipes 5 cm. X 5 mm., olivaceus, basi malvaceo-tinctus, ceraceus, laevis, subtiliter striatus, cavus, sublentus. Sporae 5 X 10-11μm., basi attenuatae, hyalinae, tenuiter tunicatae.