The Mycological Society of Latvia has selected the conical wax cap (scientific name Hygrocybe conica) as the Fungus of the Year 2021. It is the most common and easily identifiable species of wax cap in Latvia. The colour of the cap varies from yellowish to orange and even a distinct red. However, there is one feature by which the conical wax cap is easily distinguished from other species of wax caps: the fruit bodies of this species and its varieties blacken where damaged or bruised.

In putting forward this species, we also encourage you to pay attention to the entire wax cap genus. Why wax caps specifically?
- Wax caps grow in grassy areas: meadows – both dry and damp; pastures, urban lawns, as well as forests and grassy marshes. In many European countries, wax caps are on lists of specially protected species – both individual species and the entire genus. They are an indicator species for old, traditionally managed, semi-natural grasslands. The main threats to them are habitat loss and degradation, changes in land use, and nitrogen pollution. Modern agricultural practices – intensification, the increased use of fertilisers and/or pesticides, and ploughing – all have an adverse effect on the populations of many fungal species growing in valuable natural grasslands.
- Wax caps are very beautiful and attract the attention of nature observers.
- None of the wax caps should be considered seriously as edible mushrooms, which eliminates this tiresome question for mycologists.
- The species of a wax cap can, in at least some cases, also be identified by macroscopic features, without microscopy.
- It is interesting to search for new wax cap species for Latvia – currently 20 are known, but in the Nordic countries, there are around 50 in total. Almost all of these could also be found in Latvia.
Used photo by Inita Dāniele from the original article