One of the largest of the waxcap fungi, and commonly known as the Meadow Wax cap, Hygrocybe pratensis is a common find on cropped grassland and upland pastures. It appears from late August until December and is generally considered edible although not highly prized.
In some reference sources you may find this species listed as Camarophyllus pratensis or Hygrophorus pratensis.
Cap
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The cap is slightly umbonate, 2 to 7 cm in diameter and variable in colour from pale yellowish to buff or sometimes pinkish-red. As the fungus ages so the cap fades and its flesh turns from white to a pinkish buff. |
Gills
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Thick, broad and distant, the cross-connected white gills are decurrent.
With age the gills become more cap coloured. |
Stipe |
White at first and later cap coloured, the solid stem is stout and becomes hollow with age. |
Spore print |
White. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
Closely mown grassland where artificial fertilisers have not been spread in large quantities (although this waxcap will tolerate small amounts of fertiliser), and in some sheep-cropped upland pastures, notably near roadsides. |
Season |
August to December. |
Occurrence |
Frequent |
Similar species |
- Hygrocybe calyptraeformis has a pink pointed cap and the cap invariably splits as it expands.
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