Fauna
Fungus

Orange Waxcap

Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens

Bright scarlet-orange caps emerge in autumn across ancient, nutrient-poor pastures, standing out vividly against emerald turf and moss. These delicate mushrooms depend on undisturbed soil networks that have remained free of chemical fertilizers and plowing for decades. As key indicators of high-conservation-value waxcap grasslands, their presence signals an intact, traditional pastoral ecosystem.

Grassland FungusVibrantAutumn Fruiting
Orange Waxcap reference1 / 7
(c) Enrico Tomschke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBiotrophic with mosses and vascular plants
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Snails
  • Fungus gnat larvae
ThreatsAgricultural intensification, artificial fertilizer application, and plowing
HabitatsUnimproved grasslands, ancient pastures, and churchyards
Life spanFruiting bodies last 1–2 weeks; mycelium lives decades
Classification
  1. FamilyHygrophoraceae
  2. SpeciesHygrocybe aurantiosplendens
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
What to notice
Look for a bright golden-orange conical to bell-shaped cap, yellow-orange gills, and a hollow stipe among moss.
Support conservation
Do not pick or trample fruiting bodies, and avoid disturbing fragile moss carpets where mycelium thrives.
Responsible observation
  • Habitat Clues: Search mossy, unfertilized lawns, historic churchyards, and grazed pastures in late autumn.
  • Photography Ethics: Photograph specimens in situ without picking the delicate fruiting bodies.
  • Spore Dispersal: Leave caps intact so they can mature and release microscopic spores into the wind.
Related species
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