Species details

Honey waxcap

Hygrocybe reidii

Conditional / expert preparation

Description

An orange-red waxcap distinguished from similar species by a strong honey smell, especially after rubbing the lower stem.

Identification features

Cap 2–5 cm, initially conical, later flattened and often depressed, pale orange to orange-red. Gills are slightly paler and partly decurrent. Stem is orange to golden yellow and relatively dry.

Identification checklist

Besides the orange-red colour, check for a distinct honey smell that intensifies after rubbing the lower stem.

How to separate similar species

Odour cannot be assessed from a photo. Hygrocybe miniata has a more finely scaly cap and lacks the honey smell, so AI confidence should be lower without odour information.

Habitat

Grows on unfertilised, damp, species-rich grassland, usually in small groups from summer to late autumn.