Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom

Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom

The Parrot Waxcap Mushroom or Parrot Toadstool is a colorful member of the genus Gliophorus.

What looks like glass, the small mushroom gets its unique and intense green color palette as part of its oozy phase during the fruiting stage. It later turns yellowish and even pink.

The distinctive Parrot waxcap appears in small pockets across Britain and Ireland, particularly undernourished grass fields during the summer and fall. 

See also
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world

While the fungi are edible, they are not part of the three species of waxcaps recommended for eating.

If you’re lucky enough to spot these bright green slippery beauties, consider leaving them alone in their glistening glory and just photograph them instead.  

Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom
Photo: Twitter/@samrujlok
Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom
Photo: Twitter/@RachOPennington
Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom
Photo: Twitter/Garymysnail
Slimy but spectacular, meet the glorious Parrot Waxcap Mushroom
Photo: Twitter/@konstructivizm

Discover more