Grey Waxcap

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 70mm (5 in) tall, the cap hemispherical at first, becoming broadly convex to flat when expanded, up to 60mm (3 in) across. The cap surface is smooth, slightly greasy when damp, grey to bluish grey. The lamellae (gills) are waxy, thick, decurrent (running down the stipe), pale to dark grey. The stipe (stem) is smooth, white, lacking a ring. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) smooth, inamyloid, ellipsoid, c. 7 to 8 by 4.5 to 6 μm.

Similar species. The Yellow Foot Waxcap Cuphophyllus flavipes and the Scandinavian Cuphophyllus flavipesoides are superficially similar, but in both species the lower part of the stipe is flushed yellow. Cuphophyllus subviolaceus, long considered a synonym of C. lacmus, has been shown to be a distinct species occurring in both Europe and North America, but further research is required to distinguish it morphologically.

The Grey Waxcap is widespread but generally rare throughout Europe. It is also known from Greenland. Like most other European waxcaps, Cuphophyllus lacmus occurs in old, agriculturally unimproved, short-sward grassland (pastures and lawns). Recent research suggests waxcaps are neither mycorrhizal nor saprotrophic but may be associated with mosses.