A whitish to gray-brown, extremely slimy mushroom whose cap and stem are covered by a clear, glutinous universal veil that drips from the cap margin. It was split from Limacella in 2018 and placed in the genus now called Zhuliangomyces. Laboratory tests found no ectomycorrhizal relationship, so it is presumed to be saprobic.
On the ground in mixed temperate forests, swamps, lawns, fields, roadsides and sand dunes. Singly, scattered or in groups, about July or August to November in North America.
Distribution
Reported from North America, Europe and China. North American collections carry a European name, and MushroomExpert recognizes three North American varieties (illinita, argillacea and rubescens). No sources consulted confirm by DNA that North American material is the same species as European material.
Characteristics
Cap: 2-7 cm, rounded becoming convex to flat, sometimes broadly umbonate, whitish to gray-brown, very slimy, with slimy veil remnants on the margin. Gills: free, close, broad, white, not waxy. Stem: 5-10 cm long, white, soft, slimy and sticky, tapering upward, bruising brown. Base: no volva. Spore print: white. Spores: 4-6.5 um, nearly spherical, smooth.
