Meadow wax cap grows singly or scattered in deciduous and conifer woodlands in North America but in grassy or open areas including lawns in Europe. It appears somewhat late in the season as it prefers the cool temperatures and rain of fall weather. The mushrooms are 1.5 to 3. 25 inches tall and have a cap 1.5 to 3.25 inches across. The cap is rounded or conical at first but flattens out with age. It is pale reddish-brown in color and dry when young turning waxing as it matures. The gills are slightly lighter in color than the cap, fleshy, widely spaced, curved and run down the top of the stem. The short stem is cylindrical, ½ to ¾ inch in diameter, tapered towards the base, and cream or cap-colored. The spores are white.
The meadow wax cap is considered good for eating, although not choice. It has thick, firm flesh with a pleasant sweet flavor and odor. Like other was cap mushrooms, it contains a lot of water and can be cooked in its own juices without oil. Consumption of the mushroom is limited by its lack of abundance and its tendency to be infected with maggots.
Photo Credit: By Andreas Kunze https://commons.wikimedia.org
Karen Meyers