Species details
Nitre waxcap
Hygrocybe nitrata
Inedible
Photo: Gerhard Koller · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A grey-brown to brown waxcap with pale gills and a conspicuous unpleasant chlorine-like or chemical smell.
Identification features
The cap is initially almost conical, later expanded, grey-brown to brown. Gills are creamy white, broad, and brittle. The stem is cream to brownish; flesh smells characteristically of chlorine.
Identification checklist
Check the grey-brown cap, pale broad gills, and especially the strong chlorine-like chemical smell. Odour is important but should not be the only feature.
How to separate similar species
Other brown waxcaps can look similar but differ in smell, blackening, or gill colour. Waxcaps are a difficult group to identify.
Habitat
Grows in meadows, lawns, fields, and also woodland, mainly in autumn; rare.
Fruiting period
September, October
Similar species
- Hygrocybe ovina
- Hygrocybe spadicea
- Blackening waxcap (Hygrocybe conica)