A waxcap with a sharply conical red, orange or yellow cap whose parts all bruise and age black, so old specimens can turn almost entirely black. The gills are waxy and pale yellow to orange, and the fragile, hollow stem is often split or twisted. The name is applied to a worldwide complex of genetically distinct taxa.
Not recommended; edibility unknown and possibly poisonous. Poisonings have been reported, although Arora suggests some involved other species and that H. conica itself may cause minor effects such as lightheadedness (Wikipedia). Mykoweb rates it questionable and too insubstantial to collect.
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Habitat
Ecological role uncertain. In North America found under hardwoods (especially oaks in the Midwest) and under conifers, including Monterey cypress and redwood in California; in Europe typically in unimproved grassland, dunes and road verges. Singly or in groups, early summer through fall, or late fall to winter in mild climates.
Distribution
Reported from North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, but as a species complex. Mykoweb suggests the true European H. conica probably does not occur in California, and many Australian collections are H. astatogala (Wikipedia).
Characteristics
Cap: 1-4 cm (occasionally to 9 cm), sharply conical when young, later broadly conical with a raised center; sticky when fresh, then greasy or dry; red to orange or yellow, developing olive and black stains. Gills: narrowly attached, close to nearly distant, thick and waxy; whitish to yellow, then orange or yellowish olive, bruising gray to black. Stem: 3-10 cm long, 3-10 mm thick, yellow to orange with a white base, dry, fragile, hollow, often split or twisted, bruising black. Flesh: thin, slowly blackening. Odor and taste: not distinctive. Spore print: white. Spores: about 7-13 x 4.5-6.5 µm, smooth, ellipsoid, inamyloid (MushroomExpert; Mykoweb).
