Witches Hat
(Blackening Wax Cap or Conical Wax Cap)
Hygrocybe conica var. conica f. conica
Hygrocybe conica var. conica f. pseudoconica
Two forms are known of this species. They are described below.
- Hygrocybe conica var. conica f. conica
Description
Cap acutely conical, Ø 1-4 cm, orange to red, becoming black.
Gills, broad, white to sulphur-yellow.
Stem 3-7 cm x 2-7 mm, fibrous striped, sulphur-yellow or green-yellow to orange-yellow, staining black on being touched. Flesh orange-yellow to yellow-white. Smell none.
Occurrence
Fairly common in unmanured or sparsely manured grasslands, damp sand valleys and roadsides, also in deciduous woods.
Saprophyte.
- Hygrocybe conica var. conica f. pseudoconica
Description
Cap obtusely conical, Ø 4-7 cm, radially fibrous, matt, sticky to dry, orange to red, occasionally with sulphur-yellow or green-yellow tinge, becoming black, with striped-scored margin.
Gills broad, nearly free, white to sulphur-yellow.
Stem 3-9 cm x 5-12 mm, fibrous striped, sulphur-yellow to orange-red or orange-yellow, staining black on being touched. Flesh orange-yellow to yellow-white. Smell none.
Occurrence
Fairly common in unmanured or sparsely manured grassland, damp sand valleys and roadsides.
Saprophyte.