Hygrocybe cantharellus

Scientific name:  Hygrocybe cantharellus (Schwein.)
Murrill
Derivation of name: Hygr- means "moisture, wetness"
and cybe means "head."  The genus name, then, means
"wet head." Canthar- means "drinking cup" and
ellus is diminutive. Hence, cantharellus means a "small
drinking cup."
Synonyms:  Hygrophorus cantharellus (Schwein.) Fr.
Common name(s):  Chanterelle waxy cap.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Agaricales
Family:   Hygrophoraceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; soiltary or in
small groups on the ground or on well-decayed or moss-
covered logs and stumps; July through October.  
Dimensions:  Caps 1-3 cm wide; stipes 2.5-9 cm long, 1.5-5
mm thick.   
Cap:  Scarlet-red fading to orange-red or paler with age.      
Gills: Pale yellow to orangish; decurrent.
Spore print: White.
Stipe: Dry, smooth, color of cap; base yellowish to white.
Veil: Absent.
Edibility: Edible.
Comments:  Although its common name suggests an affinity
with the chanterelles, this mushroom has sharp-edged gills and
not the blunt ridges characteristic of the chanterelles. Lincoff
notes that this is one of the few hygrophori that grow on
decaying wood.

More information at MushroomExpert.com:   


Figure 1. Several chanterelle waxy caps on rotting wood.
Photo © Dianna Smith.

Figure 2. Hygrophorus cantharellus. Photo © George
Barron.


Figure 3. Growing among mosses. Photo © Dianna Smith.

Figure 4. This is how a specimen of this fungus might
appear when presented on the tables at a foray. Note
the moss at the base of the stipes.
Photo © Gary Emberger.