The witch hat mushroom, scientifically known as Hygrocybe conica, is a unique and visually striking fungus found in various parts of the world. Its common name, witch hat mushroom, is derived from its distinct shape, which resembles the iconic pointed hat often associated with witches. This mushroom is typically small in size, with caps ranging from 2 to 6 centimeters in diameter. When young, the cap is conical, similar to the shape of a witch's hat, and can be vibrant in color. Common colors include bright orange, yellow, and red, although variations can occur. As the mushroom matures, the cap becomes convex or flat and may lose some of its vibrant hues.
As the mushroom matures, the cap becomes convex or flat and may lose some of its vibrant hues. One characteristic that sets the witch hat mushroom apart is its slimy or viscous surface. This sliminess helps protect the cap from drying out quickly and is thought to aid in the dispersal of spores.
Witch hat mushropm
In keeping with a Halloween theme, this month's fungus is the witch's hat mushroom, Hygrocybe conica, also known as Hygrophorus conicus (more on the taxonomy later). With its orange color and witch hat shape, this mushroom is a natural for Halloween. This fungus is common this time of year in coniferous and mixed conifer/hardwood woods-- we took this picture of mushrooms collected by Bernadette O'Reilly in a mixed pine and scrub red oak forest a couple weeks ago. At least here in the midwestern USA, the further north you go, the more likely you are to find Hygrocybe and Hygrophorus specimens. Hygrocybe and Hygrophorus species are reportedly mycorrhizal with both hardwoods and conifers, although I've yet to see definitive proof. They certainly are difficult to culture, indicating that there's something (essential nutrients?) missing in "normal" media.
You may have learned this species as Hygrophorus conicus, but for many year there Hygrocybe has been segregated from Hygrophorus. I did not believe in this separation until I traveled to the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado in 1997 and saw the wide variety of Hygrophorus species out there-- none looking anything like the brightly colored species we have in the midwest. In the field the distinctions between the genera are pretty clear, with a few exceptions. A third genus Camarophyllus, is also segregated out by some. These genera are placed in the family Hygrophoraceae because of their waxy gills and mycorrhizal habit. My students often have trouble with "waxy." I tell them to think of waxy here as the consistency of soft candle wax, not of hardened cold candles.
These genera, once all placed in the genus Hygrophorus, are now separated from one another on the basis of microscopic characters, primarily the arrangement of the hyphae in the gill trama. The gill trama is the flesh of the gills, underneath the outside layer of basidia and basidiospores. To determine the arrangement of the trama, you should look to see how the hyphae grew out from the center of the mushroom toward the outside. In Hygrocybe the gill trama hyphae are parallel to subparallel. In Hygrophorus the trama is divergent. The arrangement of the trama is considered by most agaricologists to be a very important character at the generic level. In the picture to the left, you can see the parallel trama of Hygrocybe conica and the divergent trama of Hygrophorus russula. The origin of each gill section is to the right, and the end of the gill of each section is to the left. The basidia are borne on the outside of the gills, showing up as a dark, dense area in these sections.
However, lumper that I am, I did not believe the distinction was valid until I went to a foray in 1997 in the mountains of New Mexico and saw many species of Hygrophorus there (we don't have very many of these species in our area). Hygrophorus and Hygrocybe are quite different in stature and overall appearance. Hygrocybe species tend to be more brightly colored and much smaller, although there are some bright white Hygrocybe species bigger than any Hygrophorus I've ever seen. Hygrophorus species tend to have more muted colors and are much larger. If you are a "lumper," you might still consider that all these species belong in a single genus, Hygrophorus. Bill Cibula (now retired from NASA) worked on the carotenoid pigments in these genera many years ago, although little of it is yet published. Someone also needs to work on the DNA of these organisms. Taxonomy is often a matter of opinion anyway.
There are many other species of Hygrocybe , ranging in color from red to yellow to orange to white. To the left is Hygrocybe psittacina, the parrot mushroom, so named because of the green color fading out to yellow as it ages. There are many other species of Hygrocybe that may litter the ground, especially in conifer areas.
Below is Hygrophorus russula, our most common Hygrophorus in the midwestern USA. The epithet names comes from the superficial similarity of its fruiting bodies to those of Russula. Note the more muted coloration compared to the Hygrocybe specimens. You probably can't tell from this picture, but these specimens are ten times larger than any of the Hygrocybe species pictured on this page. However, there certainly are a wide variety of colors and sizes represented in each of the genera. Be on the lookout for them in your area.
I hope you enjoyed learning something about Hygrocybe conica. And I hope you have a Happy Halloween. Maybe you should incorporate a mushroom into your Halloween costume? I'd love to see a picture if you do. I'll even include it online if you give me permission to do so.
- Tremella mesenterica, witch's butter.
- Claviceps purpurea, cause of the plant disease ergot and likely factor in the Salem Witch Trials
- Omphalotus olearius, the Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom.
Witch’s Hat is a small waxcap mushroom. It is widespread and common in North America. In Minnesota it is found from early summer through fall in deciduous and mixed woodlands. It grows on the ground in damp soil, alone, scattered, or in groups under hardwood trees, especially oak. In other areas it is also found under conifers and in grasslands. All parts of the mushroom turn black when bruised.
The stipe, or stem, of the mushroom is typically slender and can be either smooth or slightly ridged. It often matches the color of the cap or may be slightly paler. This mushroom species is typically found in grassy areas, meadows, or woodlands, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with nearby trees. It is known to have a preference for growing alongside coniferous trees such as pines. The witch hat mushroom is most commonly observed in the late summer and early fall months, but its fruiting can occur throughout the year depending on the local climate conditions. While the witch hat mushroom may be visually appealing, it is essential to note that it is not suitable for consumption due to its toxicity. Ingesting this mushroom can lead to gastrointestinal distress and other harmful effects. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and refrain from picking or consuming wild mushrooms without the proper knowledge and expertise. In conclusion, the witch hat mushroom is a unique and visually striking fungus known for its distinctive conical shape and slimy surface. While not suitable for consumption, this mushroom adds intrigue and beauty to various natural landscapes where it can be found..
Reviews for "Magical Uses of the Witch Hat Mushroom in Folklore and Medicine"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witch Hat Mushroom" after hearing so many positive reviews, but I was left disappointed. The story felt too slow-paced and there was not enough action or excitement to keep me engaged. The characters were also quite one-dimensional and I found it hard to connect with them. Overall, I felt like the book lacked depth and failed to live up to its potential.
2. Jack - 3 stars - "Witch Hat Mushroom" had an interesting concept and the world-building was impressive. However, I found the writing style to be a bit dull and lacking in creativity. The plot was predictable and it felt like I had read similar stories before. Additionally, the dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural at times. While the book had its moments, it didn't fully captivate me and keep me hooked throughout.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch Hat Mushroom" but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow and it took a long time for the story to get interesting. The world-building was also confusing, as it lacked clear explanations and left me feeling lost. The book had potential, but it failed to deliver a compelling storyline or memorable characters. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster read that left me feeling unsatisfied.