Hygrophorus hypothejus, also known as Late Fall Wax Cap, is a smallish, slimy agaric that has a dull brown cap and distinctive yellowish gills and stem. It grows scattered or in groups on soil under conifers, common under 2-needle pines from late autumn to winter.

Cap shape initially convex, which later becomes flat. It has a dull olive-brown colour, with a darker centre that is often concave. The cap's edges remain rolled inward for some time. Initially covered in a thick, glassy layer of slime, the slime diminishes with age. The cap becomes notably sticky in damp weather. Gills goes down the stem (decurrent) and are sparse and elastic. At first mild vanilla to butter yellow coloured, and turns orange as mature. Stem is pallid yellow, sometimes tinged with orange, tall and usually thin, more or less equal or tapering slightly downwards. The mushroom has no ring, but it has a superior ring-like swelling. It is sticky below that zone. Spore print white.

Microscopic Features: The spores are ellipsoidal and have a smooth surface. They measure approximately 8-9.5 µm in length and 3.5-5.5 µm in width.

Hygrophorus hypothejus on the www.first-nature.com web site.