Witch's Hat

Hygrocybe conica

Family: Hygrophoraceae

Also called: Witch's Hat, Blackening Waxcap, Conical Waxcap

Witch's Hat (Hygrocybe conica)
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Overview

Conic orange-red waxcap that blackens on bruising and aging. Some reports of GI upset — skip.

Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
saprotrophic
Typical peak
Sep–Oct

Season

Sep–Nov — typical fruiting months: Aug, Sep, Oct.

Host trees & substrate

  • Decaying oak wood and forest litter
  • Decaying beech wood and forest litter
  • Decaying maple wood and forest litter

Where it grows

See live fruiting predictions for Witch's Hat on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.

Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.