Parrot Waxcap

Hygrocybe psittacina

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Appears in
Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Parrot Waxcap Hygrocybe psittacina (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus psittacinus (Schaeff.) Fr. (illustrated 70% life size) Cap 1–3cm across, convex or bell-shaped with broad umbo; usually greenish at first, then more yellowish, often with a pinkish tinge at the umbo, often striate at the margin; covered in greenish gluten, especially when young. Stem 20–40×2–5mm; greenish-yellow with darker, greenish-blue apex; very slimy. Flesh white, tinged with green and yellow; smell mushroomy. Gills adnate, broad; yellowish near edge, becoming more green towards cap. Spores 8–9.5×4–5.5¼, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grass on lawns or heaths; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not good, due to sliminess.