Hygrocybe miniata

Taxobox
name = "Hygrocybe miniata"
status = Common

---

image_width = 250px
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Agaricales
familia = Hygrophoraceae
genus = "Hygrocybe"
species = "H. miniata"
binomial = "Hygrocybe miniata"
binomial_authority = (Fr.) P.Kumm.
synonyms = "Hygrocybe strangulata" (P.D.Orton) Svrcekmycomorphbox
name = Hygrocybe miniata
whichGills = adnate
whichGills2 = decurrent
capShape = convex
capShape2 = depressed
hymeniumType= gills
stipeCharacter= bare
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=unknown

"Hygrocybe miniata", commonly known as The Vermilion Waxcap, is a small, bright red, or red-orange member of the waxcap genus "Hygrocybe". It is a cosmopolitan species, that is found worldwide. In Europe, it is found in fields, on sandy heaths, or grassy commons in the autumn (fall).cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6|pages=p. 74] It is found in rainforest and eucalypt forest as well as heathland in Australia.

Taxonomy

"Hygrocybe miniata" was first described by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries as "Agaricus miniatus" in 1821, before being renamed by the same author in 1838 as "Hygrophorus miniatus". German mycologist Paul Kummer then assigned it to the genus "Hygrocybe" in 1871. The species name "miniata" comes from ‘miniat’, which means ‘painted with red lead’.cite book |author=David Arora |year=1986 |title=Mushrooms Demystified |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=0-89815-169-4]

Description

The cap is convex initially, but later flattens and becomes depressed with a wavy edges. The centre of mature fruiting bodies is noticeably scurfy, or scaly. This is a feature that is best seen on dry specimens, that have not been rained on. The cap colour is scarlet-orange with a yellow striate margin, and is 0.5 - 3.5 cm in diameter. The bare stem is often long, (up to 3 times the cap diameter) and tapering towards the base, with a tendency to flatten. It is the same colour as the cap, or slightly paler, with a white base.. The gills are orange, adnate (with a broad attachment to the stem) or slightly decurrent; widely spaced, and somewhat notched. The flesh is orange, and is devoid of any odour. The spore print is white, and the ellipsoid spores measure 7-9 x 4-5 μm.cite book | author = Regis Courtecuisse and Bernard Duhem | year = (British version) 1995 | title = Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe | publisher = Harper Collins | isbn = 0 00 220025 2]

A very similar species (only recently described) "H. helobi" (Arnolds) Bon; appears earlier in the season, prefers less acidic soils, and smells of garlic.cite book | author = Thomas Laessoe | year = 1998 | title = Mushrooms (flexi bound) | Publisher = Dorling Kindersley | isbn = 0-7513-1070-0]

Distribution and habitat

"H. miniata" is a cosmopolitan species, having been recorded in most of the temperate zones. Britain, Europe, America, and the equivalent zones in the Southern Hemisphere such as eastern and southern Australia, where it has been recorded from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.cite book | author= Young, A.M. | year =2005 | title = Fungi of Australia: Hygrophoraceae | publisher = (Australian Biological Resources Study) CSIRO, Canberra, ACT | id = ISBN 0-643-09195-5|pages = p. 120]

In Britain it appears in autumn (fall); particularly in frost free periods, and prefers sandy heaths; grassy clearings, or unimproved fields. It is often seen in the company of Mouse-ear Hawkweed ("Hieracium pilosella").

In Australia, it can be found in temperate to subtropical rainforest and eucalypt forest as well as heathland. Fruiting bodies may appear in groups among the leaf litter from January to June.

Edibility

Its edibility is unknown.

References