Scarlet Waxy Cap looks like a flower blooming in the forest

Scarlet Waxy Caps, Hygrocybe punicea, are fruiting on the forest floor. These mushrooms are found in Northern Europe and are suppose to be edible there. But the ones in North America are not edible, causing adverse reactions for some. Golden Waxy Caps, Hygrocybe flavescens, have also appeared. I think of these small mushrooms as the "flowers" of winter and I just enjoy looking at them peeking out of the duff of the forest.

Craig Tooley recently photographed one and has kindly allowed me to share it with you here.

Craig has more mushroom photos on his web site, which you find using this link: http://ruffimage.com/