Hygrcoybe spadicea
Fast facts
- Common names
- Date Waxcap
- Scientific name
- Hygrcoybe spadicea
- When to See It
- June-September
Description
A medium-sized waxcap with a rich dark brown cap, often finely fibrous with radial streaking. The cap is broadly conical at first, later expanding while usually retaining a distinct central bump, and can be slightly greasy in damp conditions. Its most striking feature is the contrast between the dark cap and the bright yellow gills and stem. The gills are usually free from the stem, though sometimes narrowly attached, and may develop a slightly serrated edge with age.
Identifying Date Waxcap
The Date Waxcap is a distinctive species with a rich date-brown cap contrasting sharply against bright yellow to orange gills and stem. The cap is broadly conical when young, later flattening while usually retaining a pointed central bump, and may split around the margin with age. Its surface is dry to slightly greasy, often becoming finely fibrous as it matures. The gills are fairly widely spaced and usually free or only narrowly attached to the stem. The stem itself is yellow to orange, dry and finely fibrous. The striking contrast between the dark cap and bright stem makes this one of the easier waxcaps to recognise in the field, though there are similar species.
Lookalikes
It’s possible that this can be confused with a variant of the Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe conica var. cinereifolia, but the Date Waxcap does not ‘blacken’ upon being handled. In addition, there is a species of Woodwax, Hygrophorus hypothejus, the Herald of Winter, which can look very similar but is found in association with conifer trees and has decurrent gills.
When to Find Them
This is an extremely rare species in the region, best searched for in dry areas of ancient grassland, where it fruits from June to November.
Interesting Fact
The striking contrast between the dark brown cap and bright yellow gills is unique among European waxcaps. The Date Waxcap is rarely recorded and is listed as Vulnerable on the Global Fungal Red List, although its true population may be underestimated as it fruits irregularly. There is some evidence that it appears more frequently following dry summers, possibly in response to drought conditions.
Join the hunt for North East Waxcaps
Urban or rural, beginner or expert, we need your help to record twelve distinctive waxcaps across the North East this autumn.
Your records can add to our understanding of these colourful fungi in the region and inform conservation and monitoring efforts.
Taking part is easy and every record counts, wherever you live in the region. Records of all waxcap species are encouraged.
