Egghead Mottlegill

There’s a beautiful domed fungus on this lump of poo on Dartmoor. Naturally I have to pick it up and have a good look at it. It’s an Egghead Mottlegill, Panaeolus semiovatus.

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

Panaeolus means variegated, because of the mottled gills underneath the cap. Semiovatus means half an egg. It’s Half-an-egg-head Mottlegill.

Here it is from James Sowerby’s classic Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms from 1797.

Egghead Mottlegill - Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms

Time for a sandwich now, just as soon as I’ve wiped my hands.

Feel free to leave a Reply :)