Woodland gem-studded marvels
It’s 47 years ago today that I first noted down Common Puffballs in my nature notebooks.
The tiny gem-like spikes on the Common Puffball, Lycoperdon perlatum, shown in my pencil drawing, are fascinating. They fall off with any slight touch, leaving a reticulated pattern of pock-marks, like scars.
There are dozens here, and they’re very young with pure white flesh. They’ll be amazing sliced, coated in beaten egg and panko breadcrumbs, and fried for my tea. It would be rude not to.
More Fungi
You can set your calendar by its appearance Hypholoma fasciculare is a great name for a fungus. read more
Hare’s Foot Inkcap There's a Hare's Foot Inkcap, Coprinopsis lagopus, in our dog-walking field in Somerset. I only have my phone with me,… read more
Petticoat Mottlegill There's a Petticoat Mottlegill, Panaeolus papilionaceus, in this Somerset field. Isn't its petticoat frill fabulous? It's a common fungus of… read more
Multiple organ failure on a stick It's the season of multiple organ failure on a stick, otherwise known as the Death Cap, Amanita phalloides. Death Caps… read more
A date with Waxcaps A trip to Somerset to see my friend Martin had the unintended bonus of a walk and a crop of… read more
‘Tis the season for Shaggy Scalycaps It's 47 years today since I first saw Shaggy Scalycaps and wrote about them in blue biro with a pencil… read more
Cry “God for Harry, England and St George’s Mushrooms.” Tomorrow is St George's day, which is an important day in my calendar. That's not because I'm particularly nationalistic, swept… read more
Dead Man’s Fingers It's cold on Dartmoor but it's always worth making it to Fingle Bridge. I'm looking forward to a pint in… read more
A Red Belted Conk There's the familiar orange-red band on this Red Belted Conk. Lovely, isn't it? Its scientific name is Fomitopsis pinicola. It… read more