About this fungus
Cedarwood Waxcap is a fungus in the Hygrophoraceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A small ivory to cream waxcap with a smooth moist cap and a distinctive scent compared with cedarwood, sandalwood or old leather. Its pale appearance alone is not enough for identification.
What to check
Look for thick, widely spaced white to cream gills running down the stem, a moist or slightly greasy cap with a lined margin when wet, and the characteristic cedar-like odour in fresh material. There is no ring or volva.
Variation
Caps range from translucent ivory-white when moist to opaque cream or pale buff as they dry. The diagnostic scent may be strong or faint, especially in old or dry fruit bodies.
Lookalikes
Snowy Waxcap, Cuphophyllus virgineus, is extremely similar but lacks the cedarwood scent. Pacific Northwest collections may overlap with the genetically distinct Cuphophyllus lawrencei. Microscopy or DNA may be needed where scent is weak or regional species limits are uncertain.
Habitat and range
Associated with short, nutrient-poor grassland, heaths, dunes and old lawns in Europe. North American records also occur in woodland, including oak and bay habitat in California. The accepted name is Cuphophyllus russocoriaceus, and regional species concepts should be respected.
Food safety
Inedible.
Species to compare
Similar mushrooms to compare against: