Cherry-Red Waxy Cap
Hygrocybe laetissima · Family Hygrophoraceae · Updated October 2026
63US records
2states
Janbusiest month
63 US records since 1937 (60 in the last 10 years)
Last seen Mar 1, 2026 (about 8 months ago) near Timber Cove, Sonoma County, CA, photographed by an iNaturalist user, with the ID agreed on by other iNaturalist users (research grade). Most US records come from California and Washington, and the busiest months are Jan, Feb and Mar. (Data as of October 26, 2026; records can lag by weeks.)
⚠ Never eat a wild mushroom based on this site. We show where fungi have been recorded, nothing more. We never say any mushroom is edible or safe, and you shouldn't decide that from any website, app or photo. Many deadly mushrooms look like harmless ones. If someone may have eaten a wild mushroom, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Lookalike warning. Many mushrooms, including deadly ones, closely resemble each other, and the only reliable identification comes from an expert looking at the actual specimen (often with spore prints or microscopy). Never use a name, photo or record count on this page to decide what something is.
When it's recorded
Records by month, all years. Busiest: Jan, Feb, Mar.
Where it's recorded
| State | Records | Latest sighting |
|---|---|---|
| California | 55 | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Washington | 8 | Jan 1, 2026 |
Top counties
- Marin County, CA (14) · latest Jan 25, 2026
- San Mateo County, CA (14) · latest Jan 20, 2026
- Santa Cruz County, CA (12) · latest Feb 13, 2026
- Thurston County, WA (4) · latest Oct 18, 2024
- Humboldt County, CA (4) · latest Dec 24, 2023
- Sonoma County, CA (4) · latest Mar 1, 2026
- Mendocino County, CA (3) · latest Mar 13, 2024
- Whatcom County, WA (3) · latest Jan 1, 2026
- Alameda County, CA (2) · latest Mar 5, 2025
- Contra Costa County, CA (2) · latest Mar 16, 2025
More on this species from GBIF.
Bring along
🍄
Regional mushroom field guideSee on Amazon🍄
Folding mushroom knife with brushSee on Amazon🍄
Wicker foraging basketSee on Amazon🍄
10x hand lens / loupeSee on Amazon🍄
Spore print paperSee on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.