Pink Waxcap

Porpolomopsis calyptriformis

Also known as Ballerina Waxcap.

Photo: Pennyinsole · CC0 1.0

About this fungus

Pink Waxcap is a fungus in the Hygrophoraceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.

A tall, delicate waxcap whose pointed pink cap splits into upturned lobes, giving mature specimens a ballerina-like outline.

What to check

Look for a dry to slightly greasy pink conical cap, splitting margin, widely spaced waxy pale gills, a smooth pale stem and no ring.

Variation

Caps range from rose-pink to lilac-pink and occasionally white. Young caps are sharply conical; older ones expand, split and may turn upward.

Lookalikes

No other European waxcap combines the same pink colour and pointed splitting cap. DNA work indicates similar North American mushrooms are not necessarily this species.

Habitat and range

A European waxcap of agriculturally unimproved, nutrient-poor grassland. Its habitat has declined and the species is globally assessed as Vulnerable.

Food safety

Inedible.

Photographs

A glimpse of the research.

Weather response

A repeatable weather association was found in the records, alongside the usual seasonal pattern.

Higher or lower ground?

Records tended to come from higher ground relative to other fungal records in the study.

These are patterns in recorded observations, not rules, forecasts or identification evidence. Local conditions and recording patterns can affect the findings.

Read six species examples →