The waxcap fungi of Essex
Hygrocybe virginea var. virginea
This sub-species has a small to medium sized fruiting body with gills running down the stem. It
is white in colour with a slightly sticky cap.
2 ADB(EWT); 3 ADB; 6 ADB; 11 ADB; 13 ADB(EWT); 14 ADB; 17 ADB; 20 ADB.
Hygrocybe virginea var. fuscescens
This sub-species has a brownish spot in the middle of the white, slightly sticky cap.
15 ADB.
Hygrocybe virginea var. ochraceopallida
This sub-species is uniformly pinkish-buff with a slightly sticky cap. It prefers calcareous soil.
2ADB; 3ADB(EWT); 6ADB; 11 ADB; 13 ADB; 15 ADB; 20 ADB(EWT); 24ADB; 25 ADB;
41 ADB; 43 CB.
Hygrocybe colemanniana {=Hygrophorus colemannianus) (=Camarophyllus colemannianus)
Toasted Waxcap
A medium sized species with gills running down the stalk, often with interconnecting ribs
between the gills. It has a dark reddish-brown cap, which is slightly sticky. A distinctive species
which has occurred in Little Leighs churchyard over several years.
2ADB(EWT);27AP.
Hygrocybe lacmus {=Hygrophorus lacmus)
Grey Waxcap
A medium sized greyish toadstool with a whitish stalk. The gills run down the stalk, which
distinguishes it from H. fornicata, and it does not have the yellow base to the stalk that
characterises H. flavipes. The cap is slightly sticky and the stalk is dry. No recent records.
27 AP.
Hygrocybe flavipes
Yellow-foot Waxcap
Has a medium sized fruiting body with gills running down the stalk, and a sticky, greyish-brown
cap. The stalk is whitish in colour with a yellowish base. One record which needs confirmation.
2 ADB.
Hygrocybe fornicata
Earthy Waxcap
A medium sized toadstool, which has a whitish-greyish-brown cap. It may be slightly sticky, but
it is often dry. The stalk is white and dry. The gills can be broadly or narrowly attached to the
stalk.
2ADB(EWT);4ADB; 13 ADB; 15ADB(EWT). 31ADB.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)