The waxcap fungi of Essex
Hygrocybe nitrata
Nitrous Waxcap
A medium sized greyish waxcap with minute scales and fibres on the older caps. The stalk is
greyish-fawn. It does not turn reddish on the edge of the gills when bruised. It has a nitrous
smell like nitric acid. One record which needs confirmation.
37 MS.
Hygrocybe psittacina var. psittacina (=Hygrophorus psittacinus)
Parrot Waxcap
A small to medium sized toadstool, which is very sticky and covered in slime. It is an
unmistakable species because it is usually partly green especially at the top of the stalk.
1 ADB; 2ADB(EWT); 3 ADB(EWT); 6 GS; 8 ADB; 11 ADB(EWT); 13 ADB(EWT); 14ADB;
15ADB(EWT); 16 ADB; 17 ADB; 20 ADB(EWT); 21 ADB; 22 ADB; 24 ADB; 25 ADB; 27
AP; 28 MG; 29 MG; 30 MG; 31 ADB; 36 MS; 39 RB; 40 RB; 41 ADB; 42 GP(EWT); 43 CB;
50 ShW; 51 ShW; 52 ShW; 53 ShW; 60 JS; 62 JS; 68 GS; 69 GS; 70 GS; 74 KA; 75 IR; 79 IR;
80 AFP; 84 GP(EWT); 85 EWT; 86 MG(EWT); 88 SW; 89 SW; 92 AFP
Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta (=Hygrophorus laetus)
Heath Waxcap
A small to medium sized waxcap with a dull brownish orange cap. The gills run down the stalk
and each gill has a transparent, sticky edge. It has an unmistakable smell of burnt rubber. No
recent records.
27 AP.
Hygrocybe irrigata (=Hygrocybe unguinosa) (=Hygrophorus unguinosus)
Slimy Waxcap
The fruiting body is covered with slime. The colours are greyish or brownish with whitish gills.
It is another unmistakable species.
2 ADB(EWT); 6 ADB; 11 ADB(EWT); 12 ADB; 13 ADB(EWT); 24 ADB; 25 ADB; 27 AP; 40
RB; 43 CB; 75 IR.
Hygrocybe reidii
Honey Waxcap
A small to medium sized toadstool with a dry cap and stalk. The colour is orangy-rcd. It has a
distinct honey-like smell when the stalk is squashed between thumb and linger.
2 ADB; 6 ADB; 25 ADB.
Hygrocybe quieta (=Hygrocybe ohrussea) (=Hygrophorus obrusseus)
Oily Waxcap
The fruiting body is medium sized, and the cap is yellow with a smooth, dry or slightly sticky
surface. The stalk is dry. The gills are orange in contrast with the cap. The upper part of the stalk
is also orange. The oily smell can be detected if the toadstool is placed in a container for ten
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)
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