Date Waxcap vs

Hygrocybe spadicea compared with Hygrocybe acutoconica

Key Differences

• Date Waxcap is Endangered while is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Date Waxcap
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 spadicea	Hygrocybe acutoconica

Evolutionary Relationship

Date Waxcap and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Hygrocybe.

Conservation Status

Date Waxcap

EN — Endangered

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Date Waxcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Date Waxcap

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Hygrocybe acutoconica is a waxcap fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae, assessed as Least Concern (LC). It produces acutely conical, bright yellow to orange fruiting bodies in unfertilised, ancient grasslands and is considered an indicator of grassland ecological integrity. It is widely distributed but locally dependent on stable, long-unimproved grassland habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden