Share

A parrot waxcap growing amongst medium-length grass. It's a small toadstool with a glistening greenish-red cap

Parrot waxcap © Vaughn Matthews

Parrot waxcap

The parrot waxcap is a small, slimy mushroom with a beautiful emerald green colour.

Scientific name

Gliophorus psittacinus

When to see

July to December

Species information

Category

Statistics

Cap diameter: 1-4 cm
Stem length: 2-6 cm

Conservation status

Common

About

The parrot waxcap can be recognised by its beautiful emerald green colour, though the colour fades as it ages. It has a coating of slime that gives it a glistening appearance. It grows in low-nutrient grasslands in a range of places, from meadows to lawns and churchyards. It won't grow in grasslands that have had artificial fertiliser added. The UK is globally important for waxcaps, with more than 40 species found here.

How to identify

A small, slimy mushroom with a bell-shaped cap. At first, the cap is a bright, emerald green. As it ages, the cap flattens out and fades, sometimes taking yellow, orange, pink or grey hues. The stem is yellow towards the base and green near the cap, but becomes more yellow as it ages.

Distribution

Widespread in the UK, but more common in western areas. Present on the Isle of Man.

Did you know?

It's easy to see how the parrot waxcap got its common name! It's as bright as a tropical bird. But did you know the second part of the parrot waxcap's scientific name, 'psittacinus', comes from the latin word for parrot, 'psittacus'?