Scarlet Waxcap
CR

Scarlet Waxcap

Hygrocybe coccinea

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrocybe_coccinea

Overview

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.

Threat summary

Habitat

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.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Hygrophoraceae

Veiled Purple WaxcapVU

Veiled Purple Waxcap

Hygrophorus purpurascens

Unknown
CR

Cora putumayensis

Unknown
Amethyst WaxcapCR

Amethyst Waxcap

Chromosera viola

Unknown
Arctic Mushroom Scales LichenCR

Arctic Mushroom Scales Lichen

Lichenomphalia hudsoniana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Scarlet Waxcap classified as Critically Endangered?
Scarlet Waxcap is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. 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.
Where does Scarlet Waxcap live?
Scarlet Waxcap occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Scarlet Waxcap?
The main threats to Scarlet Waxcap are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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