Distribution: Found in mountains under true firs from summer to fall.

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Thaxterogaster pinguis is somewhat similar in stature to Nivatogastrium nubigenum but usually has a somewhat longer stipe. It is closely related to gilled mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius and, like them, has brownish roughened spores and fruits on soil, often partially buried. It is usually found in the mountains under true firs, from summer into fall. The genus name honors mycologist Roland Thaxter, and the species name is in reference to the greasy nature of the cap surface.