Almond woodwax or March mushroom

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 4-10 cm, at first hemispherical, then convex to flat. Color gray, ash-gray, with age dark gray or grayish-black in the center. Surface dry or slightly moist, smooth, sometimes with radial streaks.

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 white in young mushrooms, with age grayish to gray-black. 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 3-8 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical or slightly tapering toward the base, firm. Whitish, grayish with age, especially in the lower part. Surface dry. 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 white, firm, somewhat fibrous in the stem. Barely changes color when cut (may turn slightly gray). Holds its shape when cooked.

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. Mild, pleasantly mushroomy taste.