Scarlet Waxcap

Hygrocybe coccinea

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Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Scarlet Waxcap Hygrocybe coccinea (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus coccineus (Schaeff) Fr. (illustrated 55% life size) Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped; scarlet to blood-red; slimy at first. Stem 20–50×3–10mm, often becoming compressed; concolorous with cap but yellow towards the base; hollow. Flesh yellow-red; taste and smell faint, not distinctive. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth; yellow when young, later blood-red with yellowish edge. Spores 7–9.5×4–5¼, ellipsoid to almond-shaped, often slightly constricted. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass in fields; late summer to autumn. Very common. Edible good. Note the smaller H. punicea (below) is similar.