Waxcaps and relatives: Family Hygrophoraceae

The family Hygrophoraceae contains around 400 species in 18 genera. In the not so distant past, this family was restricted to a group of mushrooms with white spores and thick gills. The most notable species were the Hygrocybes (Waxcaps) and Hygrophorus species. Recent DNA evidence added a bunch of other less obviously related species. In particular, basiciolichens and corticioid fungi were added. Thus, the family is now very diverse. 

Classification and Taxonomy

The following genera are currently placed in the family Hygrophoraceae

• Acantholichen
• Ampulloclitocybe
• Arrhenia
• Cantharellula
• Chromosera
• Chrysomphalina
• Cuphophyllus
• Cyphellostereum
• Dictyonema
• Eonema
• Gliophorus
• Hygroaster
• Hygrocybe
• Hygrophorus
• Humidicutis
• Lichenomphalia
• Pseudoarmillariella
• Semiomphalina 

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