Witch’s Hat

Hygrocybe conica

Hygrocybe conica (syn. Hygrocybe coccinea) is a species of waxcap mushroom in the family Hygrophoraceae. Commonly known as the witch's hat, H. conica is one of the more dramatic members of the waxcaps, with a conical, glossy cap that ranges in color from pale yellow or orange to dark red, then black as the fruiting body matures. The gills are waxy and brittle. The whole fruiting body has a translucent, translucent quality when fresh. It is one of the easiest to identify in the group as the cap tends to darken with age or handling [1][2].

H. conica is a species more at home in poor, undisturbed grassland and mossy glades than it is in rich decomposing matter. It indicates that a site has not been greatly disturbed and that there is little available nitrogen—a common factor to many rare and declining communities. The waxcaps, because they are so sensitive to changes in their environment are often used as indicator species of undisturbed and healthy ecosystems [3][4][5].

While it does play a role in decomposition, Hygrocybe conica helps to slowly cycle organic matter through otherwise lean soils. It is a gentle reminder that ecosystems often rely not just on an overabundance of living matter, but on the restraints that certain species place on life, feeding and growing only where resources are low.

[1] MushroomExpert.com. “Hygrocybe conica — MushroomExpert.com.” https://www.mushroomexpert.com/hygrocybe_conica.html

[2] First Nature. “Hygrocybe conica (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. – Blackening Waxcap.” https://first-nature.com/fungi/hygrocybe-conica.php

[3] Öster, M. “Low Congruence Between the Diversity of Waxcap (Hygrocybe spp.) Fungi and Vascular Plants in Semi-Natural Grasslands.” Basic and Applied Ecology 9, no. 5 (2008): 514–522. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S143917910700134X

[4] Plantlife. “Waxcaps and Grassland Fungi – Plantlife UK Waxcap ID Guide.” https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Plantlife-UK-Waxcap-ID-guide-2024-WEB.pdf

[5] Scythe Cymru. “Waxcaps and Grassland Fungi.” https://www.scythecymru.co.uk/scything-guide/waxcaps-and-grassland-fungi/