Rose Pink Waxcap
Gomphidius roseus
Edible
★★☆☆☆
Taste rating: 2 out of 5
How to identify it
Cap
The cap is pink to rose-red and covered with a slimy coating when fresh. It is convex at first and later more expanded.
Underside
The gills are pale at first but become darker, grey to blackish, with age. They run down the stem.
Stem
The stem is whitish to pinkish and has a slimy coating. It may be slightly tapered.
Smell
Mild mushroom smell.
Occurrence and habitat
Grows on the ground in coniferous woodland, especially near pine. Forms mycorrhiza and may occur with other slime-capped mushrooms.
Look-alike species
These mushrooms can resemble Rose Pink Waxcap. Look closely at features, habitat and images to see the differences.

Lemon slimehead
Gomphidius glutinosus
★★★★★
Good edible mushroom
The lemon slimehead is yellowish and has a different cap colour. The pink to rosy-red cap of the rose-coloured slimehead is an important feature.
Read more about Lemon slimehead ›Preparation
Remove the slimy coating before cooking if a cleaner texture is desired. Clean and fry thoroughly.
Recipe suggestions
Rose Pink Waxcap with garlic: fry cleaned mushrooms in butter until the liquid has evaporated. Add garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Serve on toast.
Images – study the mushroom from several angles
Click an image to display it as the main image.





⚠ Important safety information
Waxcaps have several distinctive features but should still be reliably identified. Do not eat raw mushrooms.
Waxcaps have several distinctive features but should still be reliably identified. Do not eat raw mushrooms.
Facts and sources
Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Batch 11 supplemented – should be finally checked against current