Meadow Waxcap / Autumn / Winter / Edible
Scientific Name
Hygrocybe/Cuphophyllus pratensis
Family
Hygrophoraceae
Habitat
Grassland and pasture. Grows in groups or troops or sometimes individually.
Description
A nice common mushroom found in late autumn and winter it as the name suggest grows in meadows. It is thought of as the best of the Waxcaps as it has a good mushroomy taste and thick substantial flesh. A light in the dark of winter foraging!
Identifying Features for Meadow Waxcap:
Cap:
Orange to buff in colour the cap is convex to flat sometimes having upturned edges with a wide umbo (nipple) and thick flesh. A bit waxy looking and feeling.
Stem:
Off-white. Stout and tapering slightly towards the base.
Gills:
Gills cream to orange/straw coloured. Thick waxy and running down the stem (decurrent) . Quite widely spaced. There are veins or very small gills running at right angles between the main gills
Smell:
Mushroom odour but the best tasting Waxcap.
Spores:
Off white to cream
Uses
A great edible so use in dishes calling for mushroom or to add a great flavour to stocks and stews.
In food
As this is the best tasting waxcap, it is a great addition to meals but is also great on toast as a winter mushroom treat!
Harvesting
Found between September and December in grasslands or meadows often in groups but sometimes singly.
Known hazards
None
Potential lookalikes
This mushroom has no potential lookalikes and is safe to eat so long as you follow its identifying characteristics carefully.
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