Gliophorus is a genus of agaric fungi in the family Hygrophoraceae. Gliophorus species belong to a group known as waxcaps in English, sometimes also waxy caps in North America or waxgills in New Zealand. In Europe, Gliophorus species are typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. As a result, two species, Gliophorus europerplexus and Gliophorus reginae, are of global conservation concern and are listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]
The genus was described by Czech mycologist Josef Herink in 1958.[2] It was formerly synonymized with Hygrocybe by many authorities,[3] but recent molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, indicates that Gliophorus is monophyletic and forms a natural group distinct from Hygrocybe sensu stricto.[4][5][6][7]
Species are distinguished from most other waxcaps by producing basidiocarps (fruit bodies) with extremely slimy or glutinous caps and stems.[8] The waxcap genus Gloioxanthomyces is superficially similar.
In Europe, Gliophorus species are typically found in agriculturally unimproved, short-sward grasslands (including pastures and lawns).[3] Elsewhere, they are most frequently found in woodland. The genus is cosmopolitan, though New Zealand has an unusually large number of native Gliophorus species.[8]