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Fungi, Page 2

Jelly Ear Fungus - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Elder jellies

I’m tramping through scrub on a path used by dog walkers and alienated teenagers. It’s only rubbish which catches my eyes and …

Scleroderma - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Staying local

In the first lockdown it was revealing just how much nature was all around me. I didn’t need to spend ages preparing …

Deconica coprophila - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The riches of Dartmoor dung

There’s something about dung which should worry you. In my childhood the local fields of animals had rich dung pats, full of …

Suillus bovinus - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Porca vacca!

“Porca vacca!” is an Italian exclamation meaning “Holy cow!” Its literal translation is “Piggy cow!” Under the pine trees are the small, …

Hygrocybe conica - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Blackening Waxcaps

There’s a Blackening Waxcap, Hygrocybe conica, on the moist, shady roadside verges of the industrial estate. It’s a beautiful colour. I’ve seen …

Inocybe rimosa - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Maybe a tawny Torn Fibrecap

This fungus has a very distinctive fibrous cap. It’s probably a Fibrecap, an Inocybe. They’re often poisonous. I suspect it’s Inocybe rimosa. …

Macrolepiota procera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A Parasol in the field

This is a Parasol, Macrolepiota procera. I’ve seen Parasols before with a clear faerie ring over 60m wide in a high mountain …

Chanterelles - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Chanterelles and Winter Chanterelles

There are Chanterelles in abundance in the woods. These are Cantharellus cibarius, and a beautiful eggy yellow. They’ll be perfect with scrambled …

Coprinopsis lagopus var. lagopus - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Flystool

There’s a fabulous ink cap on chipped wood on the edge of the field. It’s Coprinopsis lagopus var. lagopus, the Hare’s Foot …

Tricholoma terreum - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Grey Knights under the pines

There is a beautiful group of Grey Knight fungi under the pines. Their scientific name is Tricholoma terreum. They are growing on …

Russula, Bovey Heath - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Scattered Sickeners

There are bright red fungi all over the floor of this beech wood. They are Russulas, commonly known as Brittlegills, and they …

Trametes versicolor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)80

Turkey Tails

This Birch tree is gradually decomposing. It’s covered in Turkey Tail fungus, Trametes versicolor. It’s one I remember from my childhood, although …

Russula nigricans - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)80

Coal black

When did you last see a piece of coal? How many people under the age of 30 have ever seen a piece? …

Laurobasidium lauri - Madeira - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Laurel fungus in Madeira

Here’s a find from when it was possible to travel There’s a fungus on this laurel tree: It’s Laurobasidium lauri, which grows …

Laccaria laccata and Laccaria amethystina - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Deceptive

Walking through woodland in autumn is always a delight. The sights and smells are fascinating. I’m delighted when I find a Deceiver, …

Common Puffball - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Jewels in autumn leaves

There are warty jewels hidden amongst the leaves on the woodland floor. These are Common Puffballs, Lycoperdon perlatum. It’s always an impressive …

The Drumstick Truffleclub - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Drumstick Truffleclub

There’s a fungus which is barely visible on the forest floor. It’s Tolypocladium capitatum, the Drumstick Truffleclub. It’s a parasitic fungus which …

Porcini - The Hall of Einar - David Bailey (not the)

Ceps, Porcini, Penny Buns

It’s time for strange unearthly shapes to emerge from the damp autumnal ground. Yes, it’s mushroom season. This year I’ve been fabulously …

Dryad's Saddle - Emsworthy Mire - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Dryad’s Saddle

The Dryad’s Saddle fungus is one I remember from my childhood. It can grow huge. It has a beautiful scaly skin and …

Shaggy Parasol - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Shaggy Parasols at Emsworthy Mire

There are Parasol mushrooms in the fields at Emsworthy Mire. They are huge, but not as huge as the dinner-plate sized Macrolepiota …

Waxcap - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Waxcaps on the wane

We’re on a trip to north Devon, near Lynmouth, on an organised fungus foray. I’m particularly excited about the grassland here as …

Oudmansiella mucida - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Porcelain fungus

I stop the car in a small valley on Dartmoor. There’s an enormous fallen Beech tree and it’s covered with fungi. Glistening …

Waxcaps - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Waxcaps

Waxcap fungi thrive on damp, ‘unimproved’ grassland, or rather grassland which hasn’t be ruined by artificial fertiliser or herbicides. A trip to …

Dusky Puffball - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Dusky Puffballs at Emsworthy Mire

There’s time for a quick trip to Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor and I’m delighted with the Dusky Puffballs there. Their scientific name …