Bitter Waxcap vs Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap

Hygrocybe mucronella compared with Hygrocybe purpureofolia

Key Differences

• Bitter Waxcap is Near Threatened while Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bitter Waxcap	Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family same	Hygrophoraceae	Hygrophoraceae
Genus same	Hygrocybe	Hygrocybe
Species	Hygrocybe mucronella	Hygrocybe purpureofolia

Evolutionary Relationship

Bitter Waxcap and Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Hygrocybe.

Conservation Status

Bitter Waxcap

NT — Near Threatened

Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bitter Waxcap	Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bitter Waxcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Purple-Gilled Waxy Cap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

Bitter Waxcap

The Bitter Waxcap (Hygrocybe mucronella) is a species in the genus Hygrocybe. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.