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Waxcap Key : :

 

Identifying Waxcap Fungi : :

Instructions on how to use the key | Waxcap Glossary | Printable version of this key

Step 3 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Refine Criteria : :
(only to be completed if step 2 provides more than one possible match)

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1


Section 1 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap white:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Gills adnate or adnexed.   fornicata
Gills decurrent.   pratensis var pallida

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 2 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap violet, lilac or blueish:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Cap narrowly conical.   calyptriformis
Cap convex or omphalinoid.   Go to section 2A
     
Section 2A:    
Cap < 5 mm's, omphalinoid, gills adnate.   viola
Cap > 5 mm's, convex, gills decurrent.   lilacina

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 3 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap grey or grey-blue:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Gills decurrent, cap felty.   canescens
Cap adnate or adnexed.   Go to section 3A
     
Section 3A:    
Stipe white or cream.   fornicata
Stipe grey to fawn, smell nitrous.   nitrata

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 4 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap brown:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Gills yellow.   spadicea
Gills cream.   ingrata

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 5 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap yellow & convex:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Cap yellow or orange with dark squamules.   turunda
Cap smooth or finely pruinose.   Go to section 5A
     
Section 5A:    
Fungus robust, stipe > 5 mm's diameter.   quieta
Fungus delicate, stipe < 3 mm's diameter.   Go to section 5B
     
Section 5B:    
Stipe violaceous at apex, spores 6-7.5 mu x 4-5 mu.   xanthochroa
Stipe pale yellow or white, spores 8-10 mu x 4.5-5 mu.   citrinopallida

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 6 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap orange & gills free, adnate or adnexed:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Pileus squamules or tomentose.   Go to section 6A
Pileus smooth.   Go to section 6E
     
Section 6A:    
Lamellae free or adnexed, stipe fibrillose.   intermedia
Lamellae adnate or decurrent.   Go to section 6B
     
Section 6B:    
Cap bright red, fragile, smell of garlic.   helobia
Cap orange or dull red, tough, no smell.   Go to section 6C
     
Section 6C:    
Spores 9-12 mu long.   substrangulata
Spores 7.5-9 mu long.   Go to section 6D
     
Section 6D:    
Spores Triangula.   miniata
Spores oblong.   calciphila
     
Section 6E:    
Cap yellow, smell of Lactarius quietas.   quieta
Cap orange to orange-red, smell of honey at least in stipe base.   reidii

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 7 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap orange & gills decurrent:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Fungus robust, cap dull matt orange.   pratensis
Fungus small.   Go to section 7A
     
Section 7A:    
     
Cap orange with dark squamules.   turunda
Cap edge scalloped.   cantharellus

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 8 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap red & gills red:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Pileus squamulose.   Go to section 8A
Pileus smooth or finely pruinose.   Go to section 8C
     
Section 8A:    
Fungus scarlet, squamules pointed, faint smell of garlic.   helobia
Fungus red, orange or yellow, squamules obtuse.   Go to section 8B
     
Section 8B:    
Spores triangular.   miniata
Spores oblong.   calciphila
     
Section 8C:    
Taste bitter.   mucronella
Taste neutral or mild.   Go to section 8D
     
Section 8D:    
Fungus medium to large, bright red.   splendidissima
Fungus small to medium, orange red.   Go to section 8E
     
Section 8E:    
Lamellae yellow or orange, smell of honey in stipe base.   reidii
Lamellae red with yellow edge, smell neutral.   coccinea

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary


Section 9 - Stipe Dry & Cap Dry - Cap red & gills decurrent:

Description of Fungi : :   Possible Match(es) : :
     
Initial Question:    
Cap smooth, taste bitter.   mucronella
Cap squamulose.   Go to section 9A
     
Section 9A:    
Squamules concolourous with cap.   cantharellus
Squamules distinctly dark.   coccineocrenata

Back to key : : Step 2 | Back to main key : : Step 1 | Waxcap Glossary

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