Species details
Vermilion waxcap
Hygrocybe miniata
Inedible
Photo: Andre Hosper · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A small bright orange to vermilion waxcap with a dry, finely scaly cap.
Identification features
Cap about 1–2 cm wide, convex when young, later expanded and often slightly depressed, bright red to orange-red and finely scaly. Stem very thin, red, yellowish to whitish toward the base.
Identification checklist
Check the small size, bright vermilion colour, dry finely scaly cap and very thin red stem with a yellowish base.
Detailed features
- Cap
- Cap about 1–2 cm wide, convex when young, later expanded and often slightly depressed, bright red to orange-red and finely scaly.
- Stem
- Stem very thin, red, yellowish to whitish toward the base.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 1–2 cm
Habitat
Grows in damp woodland and on relatively dry, unfertilised grassland, often in large groups, in summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October, November
Ecology
- Substrate
- Grassland
- Soil
- Moist
- Notes
- Grows in damp woodland and on relatively dry, unfertilised grassland, often in large groups, in summer and autumn.
How to separate similar species
Hygrocybe helobia has whitish-yellow young gills and mainly grows in boggy habitats; atypical small red waxcaps require caution.