Meadow Waxcap
ExploreFungi
Meadow Waxcap
Hygrocybe pratensis
The Meadow Waxcap is a colorful little mushroom that loves to grow in grassy fields. It has a bright yellow cap and can often be found after it rains!
Habitat: Meadows and grassy areas
Appearance
The Meadow Waxcap has a cheerful orange-brown cap that is often dry and feels slightly waxy to the touch, starting cone-shaped and flattening with age. Its thick, widely-spaced gills are paler than the cap, sometimes creamy or yellowish, helping it stand out against green grass.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyHygrophoraceaeGenusCuphophyllus
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
They are one of the most common waxcap mushrooms, often appearing in large groups after autumn rains!
Unlike many fungi, Meadow Waxcaps don't have a strong smell, but they are still sometimes eaten by hungry slugs!
Waxcaps get their name because their caps often feel smooth and waxy, like they've been polished!
You can often find these bright orange mushrooms growing in ancient pastures and even old churchyards!
Special abilities
Ability
Nutrient Cycler
Meadow Waxcap can decompose dead plant matter that helps return vital nutrients to the soil for other living things.
Ability
Soil Health Indicator
Meadow Waxcap has a preference for undisturbed grasslands that helps signal where the soil ecosystem is healthy.
Ability
Spore Sprayer
Meadow Waxcap can release millions of tiny spores that helps them spread and grow in new locations far away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3-12 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Cap Diameter
- 3-10 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Fall to early winter
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
eaten by
Black Slug
Arion ater
Grazes on fungal fruiting bodies
eaten by
Burgundy Snail
Helix pomatia
Feeds on various fungi
eaten by
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
Deer sometimes forage on mushrooms
Traits
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Also known as
Grass Waxcap
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Meadow Waxcap?
3-12 cm
Is Meadow Waxcap edible?
edible
How big is Meadow Waxcap?
3-10 cm
Where is Meadow Waxcap usually found?
Meadows and grassy areas
What does Meadow Waxcap grow on?
soil
When is Meadow Waxcap in season?
Fall to early winter
What color are Meadow Waxcap spores?
White
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
