Inspired by others posting photos of waxcaps from elsewhere in the county, in what seems to be a bumper year for them, I was pleased to discover that we had some too!
Waxcaps are grassland species that like short, low nutrient, long-established grassland: the kind of vegetation that can be found in many churchyards and cemeteries. I had a plan to tour all of Maldon's cemeteries looking for them. Luckily my first stop, at Heybridge Cemetery on Goldhanger Road, struck gold!
Surprisingly perhaps, several different species often share the same site, providing a kaleidoscope of different colours. Identification can be difficult- I reckon I saw six or seven species of which I am reasonably confident about naming five of them. Please let me know if you think I have got any wrong!!
There were also a number of other grassland fungi present, including Silky Pinkgill and a couple of species of bonnets.
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| Snowy Waxcap (the most abundant of the species found) |
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Snowy Waxcap
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Butter Waxcap (Second in abundance)
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| Butter Waxcap |
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| Parrot Waxcap |
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Parrot Waxcap (they turn yellow with age)
 | Vermilion Waxcap
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Vermillion Waxcap
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| Blackening Waxcap |
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| Silky Pinkgill |
(All photos copyright John Buchanan, Nov 4th 2024)
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