About this fungus
Dune Waxcap is a fungus in the Hygrophoraceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A pointed, flame-coloured waxcap rising through short dune turf, often with reddish gills and only modest blackening.
What to check
Confirm stabilised sand or dune grassland, a conical cap, broad yellow to pink-red gills and slow limited blackening. Photograph fresh and aged fruit bodies.
Variation
Yellow, orange, crimson and dark red fruit bodies can occur together. Caps become greasy when wet and may flatten somewhat with age.
Lookalikes
Hygrocybe conica usually blackens more rapidly and extensively. Outside dune habitat the two can be difficult to separate, while other waxcaps can share the same colours.
Habitat and range
Strongly associated with short coastal dune grassland in Europe, especially stabilised dune systems. Fruiting season follows local rainfall and temperature rather than fixed calendar months worldwide.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Photo: Paulame · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Andrew Gibson · CC BY 4.0Species to compare
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