Fabulous Fungi

Thursday, October 3rd 2013

The moist mild weather that we have experienced this autumn has provided ideal conditions for fungi. A quick walk around the woodland trail and you are sure to see the beauty and variety of these autumnal visitors.

Already this month volunteers have identified over 25 different species, with more being found on each trip out from the field centre. Hand lenses, knives, spore prints and several lengthy debates have all featured so far in the identification process. Below are some of the fungi we have found -

Green Elf Cup

The mycelium growing through the wood stains it a vivid green colour, the stained wood is a common sight in woodlands, though the fruiting bodies are rarely found. The ‘green oak’ from this staining pattern was once prized for use in Tunbridge ware.

Blushing Bracket

This is commonly referred to as a Blushing Bracket because there are often shades of pink or mauve on the upper surface. These distinctive brackets can often be seen on Willow in winter months though are present throughout the year in the UK.

Pleated Inkcap

These delicate little mushrooms are very short-lived grassland species. They appear overnight following rain; within 24 hours they will have shed their spores and decayed away leaving little or no evidence of their existence.

Scalycap

Unidentified as yet, this scalycap at first glance is very similar to Fly Agaric. The scalycap however, is much smaller and has a scaly stipe. It has so far been narrowed down to three possible species - Pholiota squarrosa, Pholiota squarrosoides or Pholiota aurivella – any help with a positive identification would be appreciated!

Thank you to all the volunteers who have spent time over the past couple of days crawling through the woodland searching for and identifying these beautiful specimens.

On another note we have a fundraising day at Tesco in Catterick Garrison on 12th October, if anyone can spare time to help or has a suitable prize for the raffle and tombola please get in touch with Adam or Sophie.

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