Waxcaps on the wane

We’re on a trip to north Devon, near Lynmouth, on an organised fungus foray. I’m particularly excited about the grassland here as there are reports of the Date Waxcap, Hygrocybe spadicea, a nationally rare species. I’ve not seen it before. There are only 100 recorded sites for it, and most of those are in Wales, South West England and the Pennines.

There are plenty of Meadow Waxcaps, Cuphophyllus (Hygrocybe) pratensis here.

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Their apricot caps litter the grass.

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

They’re fascinating to peer underneath. A little harmless mushroom up skirting never hurt anyone.

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Here are some of the Waxcap species we found – and a stray Entoloma or two:

Fungus Foray - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The real jewels are the red-coloured wax caps

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Particularly when the cap fades to yellow at the edges.

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

And they grow in cute clumps.

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s a thrill to share the Earth with them; all 112 species of them.

More Waxcaps

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Waxcaps - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Waxcaps Waxcap fungi thrive on damp, 'unimproved' grassland, or rather grassland which hasn't be ruined by artificial fertiliser or herbicides. A… read more
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Hygrocybe pratensis - Deer Park Farm - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Waxcaps in the meadows There are Waxcaps in the meadows in Devon: Meadow Waxcaps. I'm looking through some old photographs of fungi and see… read more

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