One of the larger Waxcaps, the Crimson Waxcap is less common than the Scarlet Waxcap but can grow in large numbers in the right conditions which means fields, meadows and heaths that have been left free of chemicals, fertilisers or ploughing.
Being fairly rare this beautiful mushroom, although edible, is better to admire and photograph unless found in large numbers.
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Crimson Waxcap
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Crimson Waxcap
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Crimson Waxcap (EN), Cap Cwyr Rhuddgoch (CY), Wilgotnica Karminowa (PL), Vérvörös Nedűgomba (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Hygrocybe punicea |
| Season Start | Sep |
| Season End | Dec |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 3-15 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 3-15 |
Please note that each and every mushroom you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Cap
3-15 cm. Deep red but fading to yellow or paler from the centre of the cap. The cap starts conical/bell shaped but will open out to flat with upturned edges in older specimens.
Gills
Fairly widely spaced, starting yellow but turning red with age. The gills can be free of the stem or slightly joined (adnexed).
Stem
3-15 cm long, 0.5-2 cm diameter. Yellow turning to red further up the stem but white and slightly rooting at the base. The stem is quite stout and fibrous.
Flesh
Mainly white or concolourous with the outside of the mushroom towards the edges.
Habitat
Fields, heaths and graveyards with short grass that have been left natural and not fertilised or ploughed for a long time.
Possible Confusion
The Splendid Waxcap (Hygrocybe splendidissima), pictured, is very similar but usually has a twisted, folded stem and the cap can feel drier.
The Scarlet Waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea) is smaller with a thinner stem and red flesh.
The Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe conica) is smaller and the flesh will discolour black when bruised or even just touched.
Spore Print
White. Ellipsoid.
Taste / Smell
Mushroomy.
Frequency
Occasional, but widespread, even might be locally common.
Other Facts
There have been reports from North America that a few people have suffered gastric upsets from eating these mushrooms but no reports from Europe yet.
Waxcaps are becoming fairly rare due to loss of habitat so they should only be eaten when found in profusion and some mushrooms should always be left behind.
In March 2025 the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) added 1000 fungal species to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN (Global) Conservation Status of Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea) is: VU – Vulnerable, with decreasing population. For more information, see on the following link.
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