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Hygrocybe rubrocarnosa
Small bright red waxgill. Convex cap about 15mm across, bright red fading to orange along rim. The cap is dry and slightly scaly. Stem about 30mm high slightly thickening at base. No ring present. The gills are pink/red and adnate. (Joined straight to the stem.)
Found on Pirongia Mountian in the North Island of New Zealand. Growing under mixed native forest.
This fungus is red right through its body and unlike a similar species, H.firma, the gills retain a red to pink colour even when older. This species is native to NZ and Australia. As a matter of interest, this species was depicted on the $0.40 postage stamp issued by NZ Post on 6th March 2002.
Spotted on Jun 2, 2017
Submitted on Aug 26, 2017
7 Comments
Cool that you saw it and discovered it was on a stamp
Thank you for the comment Sarah. They are a stunning red in contrast to the leaf litter of the forest.
WOW!! These are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Thank you for the nomination Ashley. A great surprise!
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thank you Christine. It is an incredible red tucked away on the forest floor.
Great color!