Almond woodwax or Herald of winter

Cap 3–10 cm, hemispherical in young mushrooms, then flattening out to flat-convex, often with a small central depression in old ones. Dull gray to ash gray, with a slightly darker center. The surface is sticky in wet weather and dry in dry weather. The skin peels off easily in moist specimens.

Cap 3-7 cm, at first hemispherical with an inrolled margin, then convex-flattened with a broad umbo. Color olive-brown or yellowish-olive in the center, paler and yellowish toward the margin. Surface very slimy, especially in wet weather, glossy.

The gills are attached to the stem, later attached and running down it. White when young, turning gray with age. Not crowded, with a fine waxy texture (a typical feature of the genus Hygrophorus). Spore print white.

Gills. The gills are widely spaced, thick, waxy, decurrent on the stem. Color yellow or yellowish-golden — this is the key feature. Spore print white.

Stem 4–15 cm tall, 0.6–2 cm thick, cylindrical. Whitish, pale gray with age, in mature ones with a faint scaly grayish pattern near the top. No ring and no volva. Dry, without a slimy coating.

Stem 4-9 cm tall, 0.5-1 cm thick, cylindrical, often curved. Yellowish to yellow-orange, paler in the upper part. Surface slimy, especially in young mushrooms. No ring.

The flesh is soft, whitish or watery gray. It does NOT change color when cut. The texture is moist and tender — typical of waxcaps.

Flesh pale yellow, firm in young mushrooms, softer with age. Doesn't change color when cut. Handles frying and stewing well.

The most distinctive feature of the species is its strong, pleasant aroma, reminiscent of bitter almond, cherry pits and sweet dough. Sometimes faint in very young or very old mushrooms. The taste is mild and neutral.

Faint pleasant mushroomy smell, without sharp notes. Mild, pleasant taste.