Hygrocybe

Hygrocybe is a genus of agarics (gilled fungi) in the family Hygrophoraceae. Called waxcaps in English (sometimes waxy caps in North America), basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are often brightly coloured and have dry to waxy caps, white spores, and smooth, ringless stems.

In Europe waxcaps are characteristic of old, unimproved grasslands (termed waxcap grasslands) which are a declining habitat, making many Hygrocybe species of conservation concern. Nine of these waxcap-grassland species, Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens, H. citrinovirens, H. intermedia, H. mucronella, H. punicea, H. quieta, H. spadicea, H. splendidissima, and H. subpapillata, are assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Elsewhere waxcaps are more typically found in woodlands. Most are ground-dwelling and all are believed to be biotrophs. Around 150 species are recognized worldwide. Fruit bodies of several species are considered edible and are sometimes sold in local markets.