Nordic mushrooms – get to know the species
SvenskaNorskDeutschEnglish
← Back to all mushrooms
Rose Pink Waxcap

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
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.

Facts and sources

Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Batch 11 supplemented – should be finally checked against current