Discovering the Parrot Waxcap

It seems being an extreme introvert is not a trait that is exclusive to humans. In fact, the Parrot Waxcap is so introverted it refuses to grow where the soil has been tampered with, either with pesticides or fertilizers. Unique requirements for growth aren’t exclusive to Waxcaps; Black Morels sprout in springtime after there have been forest fires and Cordyceps grow from infected insects. Their specific preferences, however, are having an effect on how uncommon they’ve become.

What is the Parrot Waxcap?

Waxcaps get their name partially from the fact that the caps are covered in a substance that makes them look wet or waxy. The Parrot Waxcap, Gliophorus psittacinus, has a colorful pattern that’s similar to a parrot’s coloring, giving it its name. It’s a tiny mushroom, with its cap reaching only 1 ¼ inches wide at the largest. When young, the cap is green, but with maturity it becomes yellow. Occasionally, the center of the cap will become pink with age, but not always. Only growing up to 2 ½ inches tall, the stem is a mixture of green and yellow.  

Where Does the Parrot Waxcap Grow?

The majority of Parrot Waxcaps are found in Europe, but they are also occasionally found in North America. They’re reclusive little guys, and prefer to be left alone, growing only in areas that have been untampered with. Pesticides and fertilizers will discourage their growth completely. For this reason, they’re usually found in rarely visited fields and clearings in woods. 

Is it Edible?

The answer to this is much debated. There are claims on both sides, though some say that eating enough will cause gastrointestinal distress. Even if it is edible, there are plenty of mycologists who recommend skipping picking them since they’ve become increasingly more rare. With how tiny they are, they’d hardly provide a hearty meal anyway.

With pesticides and fertilizers being used on increasingly more land, the Parrot Waxcap is becoming rare. It’s a beautiful little mushroom, but if found in the wild it may be best to take pictures and leave it be.