Species details

Goblet waxcap

Hygrocybe cantharellus

Inedible
Goblet waxcap – Hygrocybe cantharellus

Photo: megachile · CC0 · Photo source · License

Description

A small orange to scarlet-red waxcap with a funnel-depressed cap and decurrent gills.

Identification features

Cap 0.5–4 cm, initially hemispherical, later flat with a clearly depressed to funnel-shaped centre, orange to reddish and finely scaly when older. Gills are thick, distant and decurrent.

Identification checklist

Check for a distinctly depressed to funnel-shaped cap centre, fine scales and thick, distant, decurrent gills.

How to separate similar species

Hygrocybe miniata is also small and red but usually lacks such a pronounced funnel-shaped cap and such clearly decurrent gills.

Habitat

Grows on damp grassland, woodland meadows and boggy, mildly acidic soils in summer and autumn; rare.

Fruiting period

July, August, September, October, November

Similar species

Extended-description sources