Synonyms: Agaricus conicus, Agaricus dentatus, Agaricus tristis, Bolbitius dentatus, Godfrinia conica, Hygrocybe chloroides, Hygrocybe cinereifolia, Hygrocybe conicopalustris, Hygrocybe nigrescens, Hygrocybe olivaceonigra, Hygrocybe pseudoconica, Hygrocybe riparia, Hygrocybe trista, Hygrocybe tristis, Hygrophorus conicopalustris, Hygrophorus conicus, Hygrophorus nigrescens, Hygrophorus olivaceoniger, Hygrophorus tristis.
Common names: blackening waxcap, Witch's Hat.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Hygrocybe conica, commonly known as the witch's hat, conical wax cap or conical slimy cap, is a colourful member of the genus Hygrocybe (the waxcaps), found across northern Europe and North America. Originally described as Hygrophorus conicus, it may be a complex of closely related and similar species.
Catalan: Pixeconill, Chinese: 錐形濕傘, Dutch: Zwartwordende wasplaat, Finnish: Kartiovahakas, Georgian: ვირის ჯიმლა, German: Kegeliger Saftling, Hungarian: Feketedő nedűgomba, Japanese: アカヤマタケ, Lithuanian: Kūginė guotenė, Polish: Wilgotnica czerniejąca, Romanian: Pălăria vrăjitoarei, Russian: Гигроцибе коническая, Swedish: Toppvaxing, Ukrainian: Гігроцибе конічна.
Hygrocybe conica is a small to medium-sized mushroom with a conical to bell-shaped cap that is typically 1-4 cm in diameter. The cap is usually bright red to orange-red, often fading to yellow or yellow-orange with age. The gills are narrowly attached to the stem and are initially white, becoming yellowish with maturity. The stem is slender, typically 2-6 cm tall and 0.2-0.5 cm thick, and is often the same color as the cap. In East and Central Texas, Hygrocybe conica can be found growing in lawns, meadows, and woodland edges, particularly in areas with rich soil and ample moisture, from late summer to early winter. It is a relatively common species in the region, but can be easily overlooked due to its small size and tendency to grow in dense grass.
Witch's hat mushroom (conic waxycap, Hygrocybe conica, Hygrophorus conicus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2013
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, November 3, 2019
Blackening waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 20, 2020
Side view of a blackening waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 20, 2020
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 26, 2020
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) on black background in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 26, 2020
Close-up of blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 26, 2020
Dissected blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 26, 2020
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in a juniper forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 6, 2021
Side view of blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in a juniper forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 6, 2021
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, October 17, 2021
Blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023
Side view of blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023
Gills of blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023
Spores of blackening waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe conica) collected in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023
Small blackening waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) on Closed Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2024
Underside of a small blackening waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) on Closed Trail in moss in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2024
Spores of a small blackening waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe conica) from Closed Trail, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2024Observations of Hygrocybe conica in East and Central Texas reveal its presence in various locations, including Lick Creek Park, Sam Houston National Forest, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, and Bastrop State Park. The fungus was found growing on trails, in juniper forests, and among moss. It was observed during different times of the year, including November, April, May, June, and October. The mushrooms were often found in groups, with varying sizes and stages of development. Dissection and spore collection revealed characteristic features of the species. Repeat observations in the same locations, such as Richards Loop Trail and Lick Creek Park, suggest that Hygrocybe conica is a recurring presence in these areas. Overall, the observations provide insight into the habitat, growth patterns, and distribution of Hygrocybe conica in East and Central Texas.
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