Scarlet Waxy Cap
Hygrocybe coccinea
Hygrocybe coccinea, sometimes called the scarlet hood, scarlet waxcap or righteous red waxy cap, is a colourful fungus of the genus Hygrocybe, forming a small red mushroom.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrocybe_coccinea
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Hygrophoraceae
Genus
Hygrocybe
Scarlet Waxy Cap belongs to the family Hygrophoraceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Hygrocybe coccinea, sometimes called the scarlet hood, scarlet waxcap or righteous red waxy cap, is a colourful fungus of the genus Hygrocybe, forming a small red mushroom.
The Scarlet Waxy Cap faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized grassland ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, nitrogen pollution, and the loss of traditional low-intensity farming practices have dramatically reduced suitable habitat across its range, making this distinctive red fungus increasingly rare.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Nutrient-poor, unimproved grasslands including chalk downs, old pastures, and traditionally managed meadows with low nitrogen levels. Also found in moss-rich lawns, churchyards, and other short-grass habitats that have not been subjected to intensive fertilization.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Scarlet Waxy Cap faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized grassland ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, nitrogen pollution, and the loss of traditional low-intensity farming practices have dramatically reduced suitable habitat across its range, making this distinctive red fungus increasingly rare.
Agricultural intensification and habitat conversion
Grassland fragmentation and degradation
Loss of traditional extensive grazing practices
Nitrogen pollution and eutrophication
Climate change impacts on soil chemistry
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). Scarlet Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe coccinea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/scarlet-waxy-cap