Aphroditeola is an agaric fungal monotypic genus that produces pink cantharelloid fruit bodies on coniferous forest floors. The lamellae are forked and typically the fruit bodies have a fragrant odor described as candy-like, cinnamon-like or pink bubble gum-like.

In the last century it was classified in Hygrophoropsis, a genus in the Boletales. However, Hygrophoropsis has dextrinoid basidiospores, while Aphroditeola lacks these. Phylogenetically Aphroditeola is classified in the Agaricales near the Hygrophoraceae. Little is known about its biology except that the type species can be grown in culture from basidiospores and it produces pinkish to reddish-orange mycelium. In other literature and web sites, the type species is called by synonymous names Hygrophoropsis morganii or Hygrophoropsis olida or incorrectly labelled Hygrophoropsis rufescens, a misapplied name.

Etymology

The name Aphroditeola is an allusion to Aphrodite Greek goddess because of the combination of pretty pink coloration and perfume-like odor. The specific epithet (olida) is from the Latin olidus, meaning "smelling" or "rank".

In some literature it is known as Hygrophoropsis morganii based on the earlier classification and the incorrect presumption that the type species was named Cantharellus morganii before the name Cantharellus olidus.

References

External links
 Belgium mushrooms - Hygrophoropsis olida
 British Columbian mushrooms - Hygrophoropsis morganii
 Sept-Iles mushrooms - Hygrophoropsis rufescens
 Lamoureux 2241 (fongarium CMMF) - Aphroditeola olida
 Quebec mushrooms - Aphroditeola olida

Fungi of Europe
Fungi of North America
Hygrophoraceae
Monotypic Basidiomycota genera