Scarlet Waxcap
ExploreFungi
Scarlet Waxcap
Hygrocybe coccinea
The Scarlet Waxcap is a vibrant red mushroom that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale! It thrives in grassy places and adds a splash of color to the ground.
Habitat: Grassy fields and meadows
Appearance
The Scarlet Waxcap has a stunning bright red to orange-red cap, often conical or bell-shaped, which can be slimy or waxy when wet. Its gills are the same vibrant color as the cap, descending slightly down its stem. This vivid hue makes it stand out like a tiny jewel in green grasslands.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyHygrophoraceaeGenusHygrocybe
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite their name, Scarlet Waxcaps don't produce real wax, just a glossy, waxy-feeling cap!
Finding an entire patch of these vibrant fungi feels like discovering a secret treasure!
Its super bright red color makes it look like a tiny fiery jewel on the grass!
These mushrooms often grow in 'fairy rings,' creating a magical circle on the ground!
Special abilities
Ability
Fiery Beacon
Scarlet Waxcap has a dazzling red color that helps it stand out against the green grass, signaling its presence in the ecosystem.
Ability
Spore Shooter
Scarlet Waxcap can release countless tiny white spores from its gills, which helps them spread to new places.
Ability
Nutrient Recycler
Scarlet Waxcap helps break down organic matter in the soil, which helps recycle important nutrients for plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3-7 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 2-6 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Fall
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
eaten by
Black slug
Arion ater
Slugs are known to feed on many types of fungi, including waxcaps.
depends on
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
It thrives in grasslands containing such grasses, utilizing their decaying matter.
symbiotic with
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
Both contribute to healthy soil structure and nutrient cycling in grassland habitats.
Traits
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Also known as
Crimson WaxcapRed 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 Scarlet Waxcap?
3-7 cm
Is Scarlet Waxcap edible?
inedible
How big is Scarlet Waxcap?
2-6 cm
Where is Scarlet Waxcap usually found?
Grassy fields and meadows
What does Scarlet Waxcap grow on?
soil
When is Scarlet Waxcap in season?
Fall
What color are Scarlet Waxcap spores?
White
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