A small red to orange waxcap with a dry, finely scaly cap and a dry, smooth stem. The cap fades to orange or yellow, and the waxy gills are yellow to orange. In North America it usually grows under hardwoods, while in Europe it is mainly a grassland species. Microscopic features are needed to separate it confidently from similar small red waxcaps.
Not recommended. Considered non-poisonous and possibly edible but of debatable quality (Wikipedia), and too small to be worth collecting. Small red and orange waxcaps are hard to tell apart without a microscope.
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Habitat
Ecological role uncertain. In North America usually in woods under hardwoods, especially oaks, often in groups, from early summer through fall; in Europe mostly in grassy fields, sandy heaths and clearings in autumn.
Distribution
Widespread in Europe and North America (especially eastern North America); also Central America and Australia (MushroomExpert; Wikipedia).
Characteristics
Cap: 5-40 mm, convex becoming flat, often with a broad central dip; dry or slightly moist, finely fibrous or scaly with age; red to orange when young, fading to orange or yellow; margin may become lined or scalloped. Gills: attached or slightly decurrent, fairly distant, thick and waxy, pale yellow becoming yellow to orange. Stem: 20-60 mm long, 2-6 mm thick, dry, smooth, yellow at the apex and cap-colored below, with a white base. Flesh: thin, orange to pale yellow. Odor and taste: not distinctive. Spore print: white. Spores: 5-9 x 3-4.5 µm, smooth, ellipsoid, inamyloid (MushroomExpert).
