Orange-gilled Waxy Cap

Orange-gilled Waxy Cap is a medium-sized, easily identified, wax cap mushroom. It is widespread in North America but not common in the Midwest and northeast. It grows on the ground in humus, sometimes on very rotten wood, in coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests. It may be found singly, scattered, or in small groups.

The cap is ⅜″ to 2″ in diameter. When it first appears it is broadly cone-shaped or convex and bright orange. As it ages it flattens out at the margins but retains a broad, low bump in the center (umbonate). Mature specimens are almost flat, sometimes with upturned margins. As they age they fade to yellow. The cap is smooth and hairless. It appears watery when wet and opaque when dry. It may be tacky but is not slimy.

The flesh is thin, fragile, waxy, and the same color as the cap.

The stalk is 1½″ to 4¾″ long, ⅛″ to ¼″ thick, and more or less equal from top to bottom. It is hollow, smooth, fragile, and often curved. It may be orange, pale orange, orangish yellow, yellow, or buff.

There is no universal veil.

The gills are broad, thick, well spaced, soft, waxy, and orange. They retain their orange color even long after the cap has faded to yellow. They are broadly attached (adnate) and may very slightly run down the stalk (decurrent), but sometimes they pull away from the stalk (free). The sport print is white.

It is edible but insubstantial and watery.

Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests

July to October

Sources

7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 7/26/2025).

Widespread in North America but not common

Genus
Orange-gilled Waxy Cap mushroom was originally classified as Hygrophorus marginatus. In 1916 it was transferred to Hygrocybe marginata, in 1958 to Humidicutis marginata. All three names are in current use in both print and online sources.

Subspecies
Three varieties are recognized; var. marginata, with an orange cap, described here; var. concolor, with a yellow cap, more common in the northeast; and var. olivacea, with a olive-colored cap, more common in the west.

Not sure what these are, trying to identify.

found them on our campground seasonal lot. Pokegama RV park larger one further back by a pond behind our lot. My husband didn't see them and walked on the little guys hence the 2nd photo.

Humidicutis marginata - fungi kingdom
Fungi Kingdom

Last video of this puzzle...? Humidicutis marginata
WildEdibles

Location: Fairview Twp, Cass County

Location: Eagan MN (Dakota County)

Not sure what these are, trying to identify.

Location: Pine City, MN

found them on our campground seasonal lot. Pokegama RV park larger one further back by a pond behind our lot. My husband didn't see them and walked on the little guys hence the 2nd photo.