Extract from Wikipedia article: Hygrocybe coccinea, sometimes called the scarlet hood, scarlet waxcap or righteous red waxy cap, is a colourful member of the mushroom genusHygrocybe. These waxcaps are found across the Northern Hemisphere from China and Japan to Europe and North America. The small bright red mushroom is a familiar sight in unimproved grasslands in Europe in late summer and autumn, and woodlands in North America in winter.
Hygrocybe coccinea is a small to medium-sized mushroom with a bright scarlet to crimson cap, often convex to flat in shape, and 1-4 cm in diameter. The stem is slender, equal in width throughout, and colored similarly to the cap. It grows in grassy areas, lawns, and along roadsides, typically from summer to fall. In East and Central Texas, Hygrocybe coccinea can be found in moist, wooded environments, as well as in open fields and meadows, often fruiting in association with oak, pine, or other deciduous trees. The fungus is relatively common in the region, particularly after heavy rainfall or during periods of high humidity.
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019 Big Creek Trail, Shepherd, TX 77371, USA
Group of scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019 Big Creek Trail, Shepherd, TX 77371, USA
Gills of scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019 Big Creek Trail, Shepherd, TX 77371, USA
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, October 27, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, November 24, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Side view of scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, November 24, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) under pines and oaks on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, November 24, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) on Closed Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 10, 2020 Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Side view of scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 10, 2020 Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Gills of scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 10, 2020 Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest near Shepherd. Texas, December 21, 2021 Big Creek Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Scarlet waxcap mushrooms (Hygrocybe coccinea) under oaks in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest near Shepherd. Texas, December 21, 2021 Big Creek Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Cross section of a scarlet waxcap mushroom (Hygrocybe coccinea) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest near Shepherd. Texas, December 21, 2021 Big Creek Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of Hygrocybe coccinea in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus grows in various locations, including the Sam Houston National Forest and Lick Creek Park. The mushrooms were found under pines and oaks, suggesting a possible association with these tree species. They were observed during different times of the year, including January, October, November, June, and December, indicating a potential for year-round growth. The mushrooms' characteristics, such as their scarlet color and gill structure, were consistent across observations. Specific locations where they were found include Big Creek Scenic Area, Winters Bayou Trail, and Closed Trail in Lick Creek Park. The mushrooms were often found in groups, with some observations showing a large number of individuals growing together.