Hygrocybe miniata (Fr. : Fr.) P.Kumm.

Common name: None.

Description: The brilliant red caps are up to 3 cm in diameter and are convex, but they sometimes have the centre a little depressed. The caps are dry and apparently smooth, but close inspection reveals that the surface is covered with tiny scales that become more prominent as the cap dries. Old caps may only retain their scales at the centre. The gills are adnate and yellowish red to pale pinkish orange, thick, waxy and distant, and the stems are brilliant red, dry, smooth, and may be up to 3 cm long and 24 mm thick.

The spores measure 710.5 × 4.56.5 µm, are ellipsoidal, smooth and colourless but are white in mass.

Substratum: On soil among litter, moss, etc. and usually gregarious but often in twos or threes.

Distribution: Known from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Notes: This species is fairly common and is not restricted to forests. It can be found in woodland and heath country as well, and seems to be one of the most widely distributed species world-wide. No part of the species blackens on bruising. The species Hygrocybe kula Grgur. is similar but has white gills which only become creamish when old and a cap surface which remains smooth.