Scarlet Waxy Cap

(Hygrocybe coccinea)

Conservation Status
Scarlet Waxy Cap
Photo by Luciearl
  IUCN Red List

not listed

 
  NatureServe

not listed

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Scarlet Waxy Cap is a colorful, medium-sized gill mushroom. It is widespread and common in western Europe, Scandinavia, and eastern North America. It is often confused with similar, and similarly named, Scarlet Waxy Cap. In summer and fall it is found on the ground in woodlands alone, scattered, or in groups.

The cap can be to 2 in diameter, though it is usually no more than 1¼ in diameter. It is convex and deep red, blood red, or bright red at first. As it matures it fades somewhat or develops orangish-red streaks or splotches, and becomes bell-shaped then almost flat, sometimes with a slightly raised bump in the middle (umbonate).

The stalk is slender, hollow, 1¼ to 2¾ long, and to 5 16 thick. It is mostly red, the same color as the cap, fading to reddish orange to yellow at the base. It sometimes appears white at the base due to a covering of thread-like cells (mycelium). It is not covered with hair-like fibers (fibrillose).

The gills are thick, soft, and waxy. They are broadly attached to the stalk. They may be reddish, orange, or red with yellow edges.

The flesh is thin, reddish to orange, and waxy. It is edible but should be avoided due to its similarity to the poisonous Crimson Waxcap.

The sport print is white.

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
 

Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) is much more common. The cap is larger, 1 to 4¾ or more in diameter. It becomes shiny and slippery or slimy when wet. The stalk is thicker, 3 16 to ¾ in diameter, usually yellow, sometimes red fading to yellow or orange, and often fibrillose. It is usually whitish at the base.

Witch’s Hat (Hygrocybe conica) cap is more pointed. As it ages it retains the pointed umbo. It fades to black as it ages or when handled. The stalk is often yellow.

 
     
 
Habitat and Hosts
 
 

Woodlands

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Season

 
 

Summer and fall

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

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

 
  1/24/2023      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Widespread and common in western Europe, Scandinavia, and eastern North America

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Kingdom Fungi (fungi)  
  Subkingdom Dikarya  
  Division Basidiomycota (club fungi)  
  Subdivision Agaricomycotina (jelly fungi, yeasts, and mushrooms)  
  Class Agaricomycetes (mushrooms, bracket fungi, puffballs, and allies)  
  Subclass Agaricomycetidae  
  Order Agaricales (common gilled mushrooms and allies)  
  Suborder Hygrophorineae  
  Family Hygrophoraceae  
  Subfamily Hygrocyboideae  
  Tribe Hygrocybeae  
  Genus Hygrocybe (waxcaps)  
  Subgenus Pseudohygrocybe  
  Section Coccineae  
  Subsection Coccineae  
       
 

Synonyms

 
  Hygrophorus coccineus  
       
 

Common Names

 
 

Righteous Red Waxy Cap

Scarlet Hood

Scarlet Waxy Cap

Scarlet Waxy Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Fibrillose

On mushrooms, covered with fine hair-like fibers.

 

Mycelium

The vegetative part of a fungus; consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae, through which a fungus absorbs nutrients from its environment; and excluding the fruiting, reproductive structure.

 

Umbonate

On mushrooms, having a distinct, raised, knob-like projection in the center of the cap.

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this fungus.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
 
 

Luciearl

 
    Scarlet Waxy Cap   Scarlet Waxy Cap  
           
    Scarlet Waxy Cap   Scarlet Waxy Cap  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
 
     
     

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this mammal.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

 

 
     
     
       
       
 
Other Videos
 
  Wilgotnica szkarłatna Hygrocybe coccinea
eljot0355
 
   
 
About

Published on Sep 22, 2012

http://eljot0355.blogspot.com/2012/09/wilgotnica-szkaratna-hygrocybe-coccinea.html

Status na Czerwonej Liście: R - rzadki

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this fungus.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Luciearl
10/12/2023

Location: Fairview Twp.

Scarlet Waxy Cap  
  Luciearl
8/26/2018

Location: Fairview Township

Scarlet Waxy Cap  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

 

 

 

 

Binoculars


8/29/2018

Last Updated:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.