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Waxcaps (Hygrocybe spp.)

Hygrocybe is a genus of fungi known commonly as waxcaps or waxy caps. Due to their various vibrant colors, they are often considered to be some of the most beautiful mushrooms in the forest. However, they do not come with little ID tags conveniently tied to their stipes, and some specimens can be very difficult (if not impossible) to identify without microscopy or DNA sequencing. This page is a collection of waxcaps that I did not feel confident identifying to species. With that being said, please let me know if you have any ID suggestions. Thanks!


Red waxcap (Hygrocybe sp.). This is possibly Hygrocybe marchii, H. miniata, or a closely related or undescribed species. It may not be obvious in the photo, but the cap was viscid (sticky), and the stipe was not. Focus-stacked composite of 64 exposures at 1:1. Kruse Rhododendron SNR, Sonoma County, California, USA.
FUN0429


Red waxcap (Hygrocybe sp.). [Same specimen as FUN0429 above] Focus-stacked composite of 101 exposures at 1:1. Kruse Rhododendron SNR, Sonoma County, California, USA.
FUN0430


Red waxcap (Hygrocybe sp.). The coast redwood cone (Sequoia sempervirens) shows the tiny size of this mushroom. This is possibly Hygrocybe marchii, H. miniata, or a closely related or undescribed species. Focus-stacked composite of 120 exposures at 1:1. Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Sonoma County, California, USA.
FUN0360

Next Mushroom: Western witch's hat (Hygrocybe singeri)



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All images copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.