Hygrophorus
    New Mexico isn't particularly rich in Hygrophorus species. They seem to like wet, litter rich habitats best and we're a bit short on this sort of thing. Never the less we do have areas that are promising for this beautiful genus. In the Valle Grande area the open meadow land of BURL AIQFUEOIOL, fescues, wheat grass, oatgrass and bluegrass has a number of interesting species.
    Hygrophorus niveus occurs with Hygrophorus laetus and H. pratensis in the habitat along with Agaricus campestris, Panaeolus campanulatus, Panaeolus semiovatus, Lepiota naucina, Stropharia semiglobata, Agrocybe pediades, Panaeolus foenisecii, Vascellum pratense, small Conocybes, Calvatia booniana, &c.
    This is not one of the showy species, but it is distinctive. The purple white coloration, tapering pointed stipe, and thick fleshed cap are distinctive. The open meadow habitat is also distinctive. Apparently in Europe there are a large number of these pasture-meadow Hygrophori, but they seem less common in the Southwest. However, it is my experience, at least in this area, that we go for long periods and do not see a particular species and then it may become common for a while and then again disappear. Lactarius controversus seems to do this in our area, as does Hygrophorus camarophyllus, Suillus tomentosus, Tricholoma populinum, Stropharia albivelata, and perhaps Amanita bisporigera.