Hygrocybe coccinea
Fast facts
- Common names
- Scarlet Waxcap
- Scientific name
- Hygrocybe coccinea
- When to See It
- September-November
Description
A medium-sized waxcap with a bright scarlet, greasy cap, often developing a faintly striated margin. Younger fruitbodies may show a narrow yellow edge to the cap. The gills are typically reddish with yellow edges, though they can sometimes be entirely yellow.
Identifying Scarlet Waxcap
The Scarlet Waxcap is a small but striking species with a bright scarlet to orange-red cap, often fading to orange or yellow with age. The cap is initially domed or bell-shaped before flattening, sometimes retaining a shallow central bump, and is slightly greasy in damp conditions. Gills are orange-red with paler yellow edges, becoming more yellowish as the fruitbody matures, and are narrowly attached to almost free from the stem. The stem is slender, smooth and hollow, usually red towards the top and yellowing near the base.
Lookalikes
Small specimens of the Crimson Waxcap and Splendid Waxcap can resemble this species, though differences in gill attachment, smell and cap texture help separate them. The Splendid Waxcap, for example, develops a honey-like scent. Shadowed Waxcap also appears similar, but has a dry, darkened cap and deeper coloured gills.
When to Find Them
This is a common and widespread species, found in unimproved grassland, fixed dunes and road verges, typically fruiting from September to November.
Interesting Fact
Despite its bright red colouring, the Scarlet Waxcap is considered edible. However, given the rarity and ecological importance of waxcaps, they are best left unpicked and enjoyed in the field rather than on the plate.
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.
