Hygrocybe laetissima | |
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Marin County, California, 2021 | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Agaricomycetes |
Order: | Agaricales |
Family: | Hygrophoraceae |
Genus: | Hygrocybe |
Species: | H. laetissima
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Binomial name | |
Hygrocybe laetissima A.H. Sm. & Hesler, 1942
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Hygrocybe laetissima, also known as the cherry-red waxy cap, is a species of gilled mushroom found in North America.[1] It appears to flourish in association with redwood forests.[2][3] The authors of Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast note that this waxy cap is superficially similar to other waxy caps, including Hygrocybe splendidissima, Hygrocybe punicea, Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens, and Hygrocybe marchii.[2] It also overlaps somewhat in range and appearance with Hygrocybe coccinea.[4] This one has the coloration of a Rainier cherry. Not recommended as an edible mushroom because close cousins (namely, punicea) have made people sick.[2] This mushroom species was first described by Alexander H. Smith and L. R. Hesler.[5]