Pink Waxcap - Porpolomopsis calyptriformis

Alternative names
Pink Ballerina and as Pink Meadow-cap, Hygrocybe calyptriformis
Description

The domed cap, 2.5 to 6 cm in diameter, is pale pink and at first narrowly conical; the surface is dry and silky except during or immediately after rain when it is only slightly sticky (lubricious). As it matures, the cap usually splits and sometimes turns upwards. The cap flesh is white but tinged pink just below the cuticle. The closely-spaced adnate gills are rose pink when young, becoming paler with age. This is the only truly pink British waxcap.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Old, short unimproved grassland, often pastures, lawns or churchyards.

When to see it

September to November.

UK Status

Infrequent and localised in Britain and Ireland. Because it favours unimproved acid or neutral grassland this distinctive waxcap is more often seen in western Britain and particularly in Wales.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Pink Waxcap, Pink Ballerina
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Hygrophoraceae
Records on NatureSpot:
13
First record:
31/12/2015 (Cann, Alan)
Last record:
24/11/2023 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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