Three Hygrocybe species for ID assistance.

[RobSutton]

We've had a sudden fruiting of Hygrocybe over the last week or so and there are a couple of species I'm not 100% sure about.

This first was noticeable because of its long spores and I tentatively called it Hygrocybe persistens:

Cap c55mm

Length 9.8-12.7µ, Width 4.2-5.1µ and high Q value of 2.0-2.6


I thought the next was H.splendidissima the stem was actually made of two strands joined at the top (just below the cap) and bottom just before a paler yellow tapered base. Cap c40mm


Length 8.3-10.3µ Width 4.7-5.7µ Q 1.7-2.0


and came to the same conclusion eventually about this one:

Cap diameter 65mm

Length 7.8-9.8µ Width 4.3-5.2µ Q 1.7-2.0


This latter one seemed to have a very very faint honeyish smell.

Any alternative suggestions gratefully received.

[Ken Burgess]

I think your red one is classic Hygrocybe splendidissima and it just highlights how different it can actually appear in the field from other red species. It stands out as something out of the ordinary. The photo of the spores helps to give confidence in the identification.

For your yellow one I would have started out thinking H. quieta but the spores rule this out, which just goes to show the importance of checking the microscopic characters. I think H. persistens seems a good bet.

Ken

[RobSutton]

Thanks Ken - there does seem to be a huge variation in the macro-appearance of waxcaps and with the keys relying a lot on semi-subjective characteristics such as dryness or otherwise of the cap and stem I find the group quite difficult. I think it's one of those where experience and seeing lots of them does seem to make a difference so I'm very glad that I can call on the help of yourself and others here.