Persistent Waxcap

not listed

NNR - Unranked

not listed

Persistent Waxcap is a colorful, medium-sized, gilled mushroom. It occurs in Europe, North America, and Central America. In the United States it is common in the east and on the West Coast, uncommon in the Midwest, and mostly absent in the Great Plains and Mountain States. It is uncommon in Minnesota. It is found in late spring through early fall in deciduous and mixed woodlands or in open areas under trees. It grows on the ground, alone or scattered, under oaks and other hardwoods. The ecology is uncertain. It is similar in appearance to Witch’s Hat (Hygrocybe conica), but unlike that mushroom, Persistent Waxcap does not blacken when handled, bruised, or cut. This is the feature that gives the mushroom its commoon name.

The cap can be ¾″ to 4″ (2 to 10 cm) in diameter but is usually no more than 19⁄16″ (4 cm) in diameter. When it first appears it is sharply cone-shaped (acute). This is the feature that gives the mushroom its species epithet. It is bright yellow to yellowish-orange or orange. The margins are often faintly lined (striate). The cap flattens out as it ages, becoming broadly cone-shaped or broadly convex, but usually retaining a pointed raised center (umbonate). Mature caps are hairless and slimy or tacky when moist. On older caps the margins often turn upward and tear, exposing the gills.

The stalk can be 2⅜″ to 4¾″ (6 to 12 cm) long and ⅛″ to ½″ (3 to 12 mm) thick, but is usually no more than 3⅛″ (8 cm) long and ¼″ (6 mm) thick. It is either the same size at the base and the top, or is slightly tapered to the top. It is smooth when young, becoming grooved as it matures. It is mostly yellow to yellowish-orange, but is always white at the base. Older stalks are often twisted, split easily, and turn grayish or almost black at the base.

The gills are thick, closely spaced, waxy, and soft. They are yellow and do not blacken when handled. They are either narrowly attached to the stalk or are free, not attached to the stalk.

The flesh is soft, thin, waxy, and the same color as the cap. It does not blacken when cut. It is edible and colorful, but insubstantial and flavorless.

The sport print is white.

Witch’s Hat (Hygrocybe conica) gills are usually whitish, sometimes tinged with yellow. It blackens when handled.

Deciduous and mixed woodlands, and open areas under trees

Late spring through fall

Sources

4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Uncommon in Minnesota

Several varieties of Hygrocybe acutoconica have been described. Some have been raised to species status. The others are not widely accepted.

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Location: Location: Silver Bay, MN

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