The witch hat mushroom, scientific name Hygrocybe conica, is a species of brightly colored fungus belonging to the family Hygrophoraceae. This distinctive mushroom is easily recognizable by its conical cap shape, which resembles the pointed hat worn by witches in folklore and fairy tales. The cap of the witch hat mushroom measures between 2-5 centimeters in diameter and can vary in color, ranging from vibrant orange and yellow to deep red and brown. The surface of the cap is smooth and sometimes slightly slimy when moist. As the mushroom ages, the cap becomes flatter and may develop subtle grooves or wrinkles. Beneath the cap, the witch hat mushroom has narrow, widely spaced gills that run down the stem.
As it is currently described, H. conica is found on the ground under hardwood and conifer trees in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. You can find the Witch’s Hat across North America fruiting from early summer through fall, or fall through winter in warmer climates like California. There are usually a few to many of these mushrooms scattered around a small area, so if you see one make sure to look around for more! 1,3
Soon after you collect one of these mushrooms, the stipe usually splits in multiple places and curls back, leaving you with a bunch of stringy sections. 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.
Beneath the cap, the witch hat mushroom has narrow, widely spaced gills that run down the stem. The gills are typically yellow or orange and contribute to the mushroom's overall vibrant appearance. The stem is slender and cylindrical, usually around 4-8 centimeters long and 0.
Witch hat musyroom
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.
3-0.8 centimeters thick. It is often a similar color to the cap, though sometimes it may be paler. The witch hat mushroom typically grows in grassy areas, meadows, and open woodlands, often forming small clusters or scattered individuals. It thrives in moist conditions and is particularly common in late summer and autumn. Its bright colors and unique shape make it a favorite among mushroom enthusiasts and photographers. While the witch hat mushroom is visually striking, it is not recommended for consumption. Like many other species of brightly colored mushrooms, it contains toxins that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. It is important to exercise caution and avoid consuming wild mushrooms unless you are an experienced forager with proper identification skills. Overall, the witch hat mushroom is an intriguing and beautiful species of fungus with its distinctive shape and vibrant colors. Its presence adds an element of enchantment to the natural world and serves as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating organisms that can be found in our surrounding environment..
Reviews for "Ebullient Ectomycorrhiza: How the Witch Hat Mushroom Forms Symbiotic Relationships"
1. Tom - 1 star - I found Witch Hat Musyroom to be extremely dull and uninteresting. The story was slow-paced, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I didn't connect with any of them, and I couldn't help but feel bored while reading. The art style was also not to my liking, as it appeared sloppy and messy. Overall, I was disappointed with Witch Hat Musyroom and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - Although the concept of Witch Hat Musyroom seemed intriguing, I was let down by the execution. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, and it was difficult to follow what was happening at times. The magical elements were not explained well, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. Additionally, the pacing was too slow, and it took a long time for anything substantial to happen. While the artwork was beautiful, it wasn't enough to make up for the shortcomings of the story. Unfortunately, Witch Hat Musyroom was not my cup of tea.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Witch Hat Musyroom, but I found it to be a disappointment. The main character lacked depth and development, making it hard to invest in her journey. The world-building was also lackluster, as there was little explanation or context provided for the magical elements. I felt like I was thrown into a story with no background information. The art style, although unique, didn't suit my taste and made it difficult for me to fully appreciate the visuals. Overall, Witch Hat Musyroom fell short in many aspects and didn't live up to the hype for me.