Splendid Waxcap - Hygrocybe splendidissima

A large waxcap, with cap 5 to10cm across; initially conical, becoming shallowly convex or flattening, usually with a broad umbo; bright deep scarlet; smooth; dry or only very slightly greasy. Stipe is smooth red wirth yellow fibrils and a yellowish base, and is flattened or twisted particularly near to the base.  In cross-section the stipe is seen to be a compressed oval, unlike the very similar Hygrocybe punicea which has a stipe with rounded cross-section.  There is a pleasant smell of honey as the fruitbodies dry out (to detect this, place a section of the cap in a closed container for a whole, and sniff immediately when you open it.)

Similar to other red waxcaps especially Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea), which usually has a blood-red cap. 

smell

This is a very difficult species to identify from photographs and we recommened that the specimen is examined by an expert before sending to NatureSpot.

Closely cropped or mown grassland where artificial fertilisers are not spread. Often in damper areas. 

August to November in Britain and Ireland.

Usually occurs in small groups rather than singly.

Local and infrequent in many parts of Britain and Ireland, but there are several damp grassland and moorland sites in West Wales, in northern England, and in Scotland where it is more common.

Rare