- Hygrocybe punicea
Taxobox
name = Hygrocybe
image_width = 220px
image_caption = "H. punicea",
Wyre Forest, England
photo - [http://www.flickr.com/people/10418314@N00/ Rosemary Winnall]
regnum =Fungi
divisio =Basidiomycota
classis =Agaricomycetes
ordo =Agaricales
familia =Hygrophoraceae
genus = "Hygrocybe "
species = "H. punicea"
binomial = "Hygrocybe punicea"
binomial = (Fr.) P. Kumm.mycomorphbox
name = Hygrocybe punicea
whichGills = adnexed
capShape = convex
hymeniumType= gills
stipeCharacter= bare
ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=edible"Hygrocybe punicea", sometimes called Crimson- or Scarlet Waxy Cap, is a colourful member of the genus "Hygrocybe", the waxcaps, found across Northern Europe. Originally described as "Hygrophorus puniceus", it is the largest member of the genus.
Description
A large waxcap with an initially bell-shaped, and later flattening, cap 4-10 cm across and blood- to dark red in colour. The gills are thick and widely spaced, yellow red in colour. The spore print is white. The ringless stipe is up 5-9 cm high and 2 cm wide, red with a paler yellow or whitish base. The flesh is whitish. [cite book | author = Nilson S & Persson O | year = 1977 | title = Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill-Fungi | publisher = Penguin|isbn=0-14-063006-6|pages=p. 22] [cite book | author = Breitenbach J & Kränzlin F | year = 1991 | title = Fungi of Switzerland 3: Boletes & Agarics, 1st Part | id = ISBN 3-85604-230-X]
Distribution and habitat
Hygrocybe punicea has a wide distribution in grasslands across Europe, and in woodland in North America.
Edibility
Mild tasting, "Hygrocybe punicea" recorded as edible in Europe, although there have been reports of adverse reactions in North America.cite book |last=Arora |first=David|authorlink=David Arora |year=1986 |title=Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi |edition=2nd ed. |location=Berkeley |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=0-89815-169-4| pages=pp. 114]
References
External links
* [http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Hygrocybe_punicea.html California Fungi page on "Hygrocybe punicea"]
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