Mushroom Monday: Crimson Waxcap

This week’s Mushroom Monday is the Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea).

The crimson waxcap can be found in grassy areas in Europe in places where there hasn’t been a lot of agriculture nor fertilizers applied.  They can also be found in the Americas in wooded areas and can be found growing alone or in groups.  In the past, they were thought to be saprotrophic in relation to deceased grass roots.  Now there is some thought that they are symbiotic with moss.

Looking at the crimson waxcap, the reason for its common name is clear: it has a dark red color and the cap can have a waxy feel.  The color and shape of the cap can change over time and the caps can come in a variety of shapes.  Although the color is distinct, it doesn’t have a distinctive scent.

The crimson waxcap has gills that have a similarly waxy feel to the cap.  They might not be as dark as the cap though and they can be distinct and spread apart.  Unlike some other kinds of mushrooms, the stem of the crimson waxcap doesn’t have a ring.

The crimson waxcap is a relatively large mushroom.  It can grow to about half a foot tall with a cap that is up to half a foot in diameter.  Their large size and dark color can make them distinctive, although there are other similar-looking mushrooms such as the Scarlet Waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea).