The waxcap fungi of Essex
minutes. It is unhelpfully compared to bed bugs, and more usefully to Lactarius quietus, the
Oakbug milkcap.
1 ADB; 2 ADB; 13 ADB; 14 ADB; 27 AP.
Hygrocybe miniata (=Hygrocybe strangulata) (=Hygrophorus strangulatus) (=Hygrophorus
miniatus)
Vermilion Waxcap
The small to medium sized fruiting bodies usually have orangy-red caps, which are covered in
minute scales. The stalk and cap are dry. The gills are broadly attached to the stalk, and may run
down it a little.
27AP;40ADB;41ADB;51 ShW; 75 IR; 77 IR.
Hygrocybe turunda (=Hygrophorus turundus)
This small waxcap is orange with gills, which run down the stalk. The cap is covered with small,
erect, dark-coloured scales. No recent records.
27 AP.
Hygrocybe coccinea (=Hygrophorus coccineus)
Scarlet Waxcap
A medium-sized toadstool with a scarlet cap, which is usually slightly sticky, and has a dry stalk
of the same colour. The gills are broadly attached to, and sometimes run down the stalk. They
are red, at least at the base, with a yellow edge.
2ADB(EWT);3ADB(EWT);6ADB;7ADB; 13 ADB; 15ADB(EWT); 18 ADB; 21 ADB; 22
ADB; 23 ADB; 25 ADB; 27 AP; 28 MG; 29 MG; 30 MG; 31 ADB; 38 ML(EWT); 40 RB; 43
CB; 44 ShW; 75 IR.
Hygrocybe marchii
A small waxcap with a red cap which discolours to orange or yellow. The cap is sticky and the
stalk is dry. The gills are yellow. Less than half of the spores are constricted or cylindrical,
unlike the almond-shaped spores of H. coccinea, none of which are constricted. One record
which needs confirmation.
40 RB.
Hygrocybe ceracea (=Hygrophorus ceraceus)
Butter Waxcap
A small toadstool with a slightly sticky, yellow cap and a dry stalk under 5
millimetres in width, of the same colour. The spores arc mostly constricted in the middle. The
gills are usually broadly attached to the stalk but they may run down it a little.
2ADB(EWT);3ADB(EWT);6GS; 11 ADB; 13 ADB(EWT); 15 ADB(EWT); 20 ADB(EWT);
24 ADB; 25 ADB; 26 ADB(EWT); 27 AP; 29 MG; 37 MS; 40 RB; 43 CB; 44 ShW; 75 IR; 77
IR; 78 IR; 79 IR; 90 SW.
Hygrocybe insipida
Spangle Waxcap
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)