Cranberry Waxy Cap
Hygrocybe turunda
The Cranberry Waxy Cap is a small, distinctive mushroom characterized by its waxy, translucent cap that ranges from deep cranberry red to pinkish-red coloration. This grassland fungus forms part of complex soil ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and potentially forming mycorrhizal associations with grasses and other plants in nutrient-poor environments.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) corndog, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by corndog
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Hygrophoraceae
Genus
Hygrocybe
Cranberry Waxy Cap belongs to the family Hygrophoraceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
The Cranberry Waxy Cap is a small, distinctive mushroom characterized by its waxy, translucent cap that ranges from deep cranberry red to pinkish-red coloration. This grassland fungus forms part of complex soil ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and potentially forming mycorrhizal associations with grasses and other plants in nutrient-poor environments.
The Cranberry Waxy Cap faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of its specialized grassland ecosystems. Climate change and agricultural intensification are reducing the availability of suitable unimproved grasslands where this species can establish the complex mycorrhizal relationships necessary for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Unimproved grasslands, old pastures, and traditional hay meadows with low nutrient levels, typically in temperate regions. The species requires specific soil chemistry and moisture conditions found in ancient grassland systems that have not been subjected to modern agricultural practices.
Threats
Grassland degradation and fertilizer use
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Climate change affecting soil conditions
Loss of traditional grazing practices
Urban development pressure
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Cranberry Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe turunda). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cranberry-waxy-cap