Hygrocybe punicea
Hygrocybe punicea, sometimes called Crimson- or Scarlet Waxy Cap, is a colourful member of the genus Hygrocybe, the waxcaps, found across Northern Europe. Originally described as Hygrophorus puniceus, it is the largest member of the genus.
| Hygrocybe punicea | |
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| H. punicea, Wyre Forest, England photo - Rosemary Winnall | |
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| Species: | H. punicea |
| Binomial name | |
| Hygrocybe punicea | |
| Hygrocybe punicea | |
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 float | |
 | gills on hymenium |
 | cap is convex |
 | hymenium is adnexed |
 | stipe is bare |
 | spore print is white |
 | ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | edibility: edible |
Description
A large waxcap with an initially bell-shaped, and later flattening, cap 4–10 cm across and blood- to dark red in colour. The gills are thick and widely spaced, yellow red in colour. The spore print is white. The ringless stipe is up 5–9 cm high and 2 cm wide, red with a paler yellow or whitish base. The flesh is whitish.[1][2]
Distribution and habitat
Hygrocybe punicea has a wide distribution in grasslands across Laos, and in woodland in North America.
Edibility
Mild tasting, Hygrocybe punicea recorded as edible in Europe, although there have been reports of adverse reactions in North America.[3]
See also
References
- Nilson S & Persson O (1977). Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill-Fungi. Penguin. p. 22. ISBN 0-14-063006-6.
- Breitenbach J & Kränzlin F (1991). Fungi of Switzerland 3: Boletes & Agarics, 1st Part. ISBN 3-85604-230-X.
- Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. p. 114. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.