Species details
Honey waxcap
Hygrocybe reidii
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: David Callender · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
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.
Detailed features
- Cap
- Cap 2–5 cm, initially conical, later flattened and often depressed, pale orange to orange-red.
- Hymenophore
- The gills are somewhat paler and partly decurrent.
- Stem
- Stem is orange to golden yellow and relatively dry.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 2–5 cm
Habitat
Grows on unfertilised, damp, species-rich grassland, usually in small groups from summer to late autumn.
Fruiting period
June, July, August, September, October, November
Ecology
- Substrate
- Grassland
- Soil
- Moist
- Notes
- Grows on unfertilised, damp, species-rich grassland, usually in small groups from summer to late autumn.
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.