Yellow-foot Waxcap

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 60mm (3 in) tall, the cap broadly conical to flat or slightly depressed when expanded, up to 40mm (2 in) across. The cap surface is smooth, slightly greasy when damp, grey to brownish grey. The lamellae (gills) are waxy, thick, decurrent (running down the stipe), pale to dark grey. The stipe (stem) is smooth, pale greyish to white but yellow towards the base, lacking a ring. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) smooth, inamyloid, ellipsoid, c. 6 to 7.5 by 5 to 6 μm.

Similar species. The recently described, Scandinavian Cuphophyllus flavipesoides is very similar, having the lower part of the stipe flushed yellow, but has slightly narrower spores. Cuphophyllus lacmus is similarly coloured, but lacks the yellow base to the stem.

The yellow foot waxcap is widespread but uncommon throughout Europe. Like most other European waxcaps, Cuphophyllus flavipes 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.