Scarlet waxcap or Vermilion waxcap

Cap 2-5 cm, at first hemispherical to conical, then convex-flattened with a low umbo. Color bright red, coral, cinnabar red — this is the key feature. With age the margin may turn yellow or orange. Surface moist, waxy, slightly slimy in wet weather.

Cap 1-3 cm, hemispherical at first, then convex-spreading, sometimes with a small bump. Color bright red, cinnabar red, may turn orange with age. The surface is matte, finely scaly or granular-rough — a characteristic feature of the species. In wet weather it's slightly damp, but not slimy.

Gills. The gills are widely spaced, thick, waxy, attached or slightly decurrent. Color red, coral to yellowish red. Spore print white.

Gilled hymenophore. Gills distant, thick, waxy, attached or slightly decurrent. Orange-yellow to reddish. Spore print white.

Stem 3-7 cm tall, 0.3-0.8 cm thick, slender, cylindrical, hollow inside. Color red to orange-red, paler and yellowish toward the base. Surface dry, smooth. No ring.

Stem 2-5 cm tall, 0.2-0.4 cm thick, thin, cylindrical, hollow. Orange-red or orange-yellow, paler toward the base. The surface is dry and smooth. There is no ring.

Flesh thin, brittle, reddish to yellowish. Doesn't change color when cut. No culinary value.

The flesh is thin, brittle, orangey. It doesn't change color when cut. It has no culinary value.

No distinctive smell, or faintly mushroomy. Mild taste, nothing special.

No distinct smell. Mild taste, nothing special.