FABULOUS FUNGI

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 Brackets and Honey Fungus on Dead Tree, Croxteth ParkFly Agarics

Fungi, together with the Bacteria, are the 'decomposers' of our environment and they are just as important as the 'producers' the green plants.

Skull & Crossbones, deadly fungus Death Cap Warning: Mushrooms can be lethal. Do not eat any mushroom picked in the wild unless you are absolutely sure of its identity. Secondly, think conservation, you should not collect endangered or rare species. Read the Wild Mushroom Pickers' Code of Conduct before you foray

 

Fungi lack the green pigment chlorophyll, the pigment that is essential in converting sunlight into plant energy, because they don't have this pigment, fungi have to get their energy from other sources, from organic material produced by other plants.

There are  thousands of different kinds of fungi. Two hundred thousand species have been identified world wide and there are likely to be well over a million species. There are over 3000 larger fungi in Britain. Identification often requires very specialist knowledge, although some fungi  are very characteristic and are readily identifiable. 

Many fungi have fruiting bodies e.g. stalked mushrooms - the part of fungi that's above the ground usually! These fruiting bodies help raise the spores some distance off the ground, so that when they are released, they can easily catch the wind and be carried to new places. Fruiting bodies of fungi can produce millions of spores. Most Mushrooms  and Toadstools are gill fungi, they have hundreds of paper-thin folds, called gills, on the underside of the mushroom cap. The spores are produced all over these gills - the lamellae.

Some other fungi have small tubes or pores within the fruiting body. The spores develop all over the inside of the pores. These are known as Pore fungi such as Boletes. Polypores tend to have very tough, leathery or woody fruiting bodies. They are often plate-like and most grow out of tree trunks or rotting wood, although some may grow on soil.  Some of these fungi are known as Bracket Fungi.

NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP EXPERT - LINK      The experts will look at features such as:

1   The colour, size, smell and texture of the Fruiting body, as well as the remains of structures which protect it as it is growing; There are over 3000 of these larger fungi in Britain, these have large enough fruiting bodies to be easily seen. 

   Cap shape : is often important in identification.

 Fungi Cap shapes

                                     Gill Fungi                                                                    Pore Fungi

 Simple structure of a Mushroom    Pore Fungi -Bolete  

                                      Mushroom gills                           Bolete showing pores beneath cap

2   The type of Habitat where it occurs. Many fungi grow only in very specific places, or are associated with particular kinds of trees. i.e. 'Birch' polypore or Razorstrop, a bracket fungus

3   Fruiting bodies may also be produced in a particular Season. Although Autumn (August to November)  is the most fruitful season. In spring for example, we have Saint George's mushroom so named because the fruiting bodies first appear around the 23rd April, which is St. George's Day. In Summer  -  giant Puffballs and the edible bracket 'Chicken of the woods'

4   The size, shape and colour of the Spores produced (this may require microscopic examination - There are a great many fungi which are very small micro fungi).  See 'making Spore Prints' later

 

                                              

 

Fungi are not plants but belong in a kingdom of their own. Their cell walls are made of chitin ( a white horny substance more easily recognised as the substance that forms the outer skeletons of crabs!) and instead of using photosynthesis to obtain energy they digest organic matter. They can be divided into three groups:

Stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) Saprophytes are probably the most numerous, performing a vital role in breaking down dead organic matter. Feeding on dead tree trunks, decomposed plant remains in the soil, dead insects, man-made foodstuffs and clothes. e.g. Stinkhorns - pictured.

Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea Parasites. Parasitism is the dark side of fungal ecology, these fungi obtain all their nutrients from a living host. In many cases resulting in the death of the poor host. A plant parasite commonly seen locally is the Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea - pictured.

Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaria Symbionts. These Fungi  live in close association with the roots of other living plants to their mutual benefit, this symbiotic relationship is know as  mycorrhizae (fungus roots)  The fungus benefits by receiving sugars from a plant and the plant obtains phosphates and other nutrients from the fungus. Examples in our woodlands are usually macro-fungi, such as the poisonous Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) - pictured, usually found under Birch & Pines; and the  deadly poisonous Death Cap (Amanita phalloides).  Skull & Crossbones, deadly fungus Death Cap usually under Oaks & Pines. (Poison from a piece of death cap fungus sufficient to cover the tip of a knife (0.5g) can kill 100,000 mice ...Yikes)

 

 

Below are some pictures of fungi found in the  Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire area's 

 

 

Collection of Fly Agarics - WWT Martin Mere Fly Agaric - Moore Nature Reserve 2007 Amanita muscaria  or  Fly Agaric.  The classic toadstool - it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in. The Fly Agaric emerges from the soil looking like a white egg, it's covered in the white warty material of the universal veil. As the fungus grows, the red colour appears through the broken veil, (the residue of the veil gives the spotty appearance) and the cap changes from curved to plate-like and flat once mature,  growing  upto 15cm in diameter. A common Fungus found in coniferous and deciduous woods, under Spruces and Birches from August to November.

Gymnopilus junonius Gymnopilus junonius also known as Gymnopilus spectabilis (Laughing Gym) A fairly common fungus which forms impressive yellow-orange clumps or clusters at the bases of living trees and dead stumps of hardwoods and conifers. The caps deposit dense brown masses of spores on the surfaces below them. The cap can grow upto 42 cm, golden to russet-brown in colour. The gills  initially pale yellow turn to rust. Seen June to November.

 

Early stage of Honey FungusHoney FungusSticky Honey fungus - Mere Sands Wood  Honey Fungus : Armillaria  mellea.  Common throughout the UK. This lethal parasitic fungi occurs on a wide variety of coniferous and deciduous timber and shrubs, usually in large clumps, growing on living trees as well as on dead and decaying woody material.  The cap is initially rounded then broadens out - see pics above.  The cap is  coloured honey yellow to brown with minute darker brown scales scattered at centre of cap, the stem has a ring. Found September - November

 

 Shaggy inkcaps - Coprinus comatus Shaggy Inkcap : Coprinus comatus  Also known as 'lawyers wigs'. The cap is  white in colour with the top a brown or golden colour, but the most distinctive thing about it is that its cap is it's oval in shape and it's strange shaggy scales (the scales on the cap separate as the Inkcap develops) hence the nickname lawyers wig. It can grow to a height of about 25cm, and is found in clumps.  The gills beneath the cap are white, then pink, then turn black and secrete a black liquid filled with spores (hence the “ink cap” name, used in medieval times as writing ink). The Inkcaps turn brownish at the top and become bell shaped with age, usually cracking at the margin rim. Inkcaps appear in Summer - late Autumn in grassland, woodland and urban gardens.

 

The Deceiver - Laccaria laccata Deceivers : Laccaria laccata. Found scattered in wooded areas. The cap is thick and has a waxy appearance, orange brown with flesh coloured gills and can grows to 4.5 cm across, stem height up to 6.5 cm. Gills are  pinkish, dusted white with spores when mature. A  common Symbiont growing with hardwoods or conifers in damp locations, Found June to November. It is said that the name derives from the fact that it is rather variable, and can “deceive” the beginner again and again.

 

Parasol mushroom - Macrolepiota proceraParasol mushrooms - Macrolepiota procera The Parasol mushroom: Macrolepiota procera

The parasol is one of our largest agarics, that is a fungi with a stem and cap, reaching, and occasionally exceeding, 25cm in diameter and 30cm in height. Emerging egg-shaped expanding and flattening with a prominent umbo, (knoblike protuberance) pale buff ,cream or grey-brown , the cap covered in dark brownish felty shaggy scales which are smaller and darker near the centre. The gills are white and the brown-marked stem bears a prominent double ring. Look for the parasol in woods and grassy places, from late summer to the end of November

 

Bearded milk caps - Lactarius pubescens with birchBearded milk caps - Lactarius pubescens with birch Bearded Milk Cap: Lactarius pubescens with birch. 

All the Lactarius species produce a milky fluid if the gills or the cap is damaged, giving rise to the common name "milk caps". Cap 3-10cm across, convex with a depressed disc and in rolled margin, becoming flat then shallowly funnel-shaped with an arched margin; pale tan or cinnamon pink, slightly darker at the disc. Found on soil amongst birch, Broadleaved and mixed  woodland, parks. Common. Late August to October to autumn.

 Scalycap (Pholiota). Scalycap: Pholiota  Similar to honey fungus. The Cap can measure 3 –15cm across, curved becoming flattened, the margin remaining in rolled, pale straw-yellow densely covered in coarse red-brown, upturned scales, Has a scaled ringless stem, yellow with greyish-brown gills. Found in dense clusters at the base of deciduous particularly beech trees  and  conifers. Found August to November. 

Sulphur Tuft. Sulphur Tuft : Hypholma fasciculare

Sulphur Tuft is conspicuous by its bright sulphur yellow cap and its habit of growing in dense clusters mainly on the stumps of  deciduous  trees. The Cap can grow upto  5 - 6cm and had a darker orange - brown centre. Found May  to  December. (Poisonous)

 

Mycena Mycena species Mycena : Bonnets. These are small delicate mushrooms, rarely exceeding a few centimetres in diameter and often only a few millimetres There are over 100 species in the UK and  It is difficult to identify these to species in the field without microscopic examination. Important field features to note include any smell, milk production on breaking the stem, cap shape - conical or bell-shaped, colouring, stem features and habitat. Mycenas give white spore prints.

 

Brackets

 

Bracket fungi Turkeytail Trametes versicolor :Turkeytail  This is a very common all the year round fungus, although it is a most noticeable in the autumn and winter. Found in a variety of habitats including broadleaved and coniferous woodlands, parks and heathlands. These tough, often leathery outgrowths mainly appear on dead trees and occasionally on living trees including cut and fallen logs or branches and is especially common on cut stumps of Birch. A fan-shaped bracket fungus that has concentric rings of different colours on the surface. The rings are usuallly brown, buffs, greys and creams but they can be other colours such as red-browns, oranges and maroons.  

Trametes gibbosa (Lumpy Bracket). Trametes gibbosa : Lumpy Bracket. Common, especially late autumn. Occurs on stumps of deciduous trees. Thick white bracket, tough ,fleshy, knobbly surface often with green algae on top.

Artist’s fungus (Ganoderma applanatum or australe) Artist’s Bracket :Ganoderma applanatum  Kidney or fan-shaped and up to 50cm wide. It's surface is  greyish brown to cinnamon, outer growing edges white. Loose chocolate coloured Spores on surface look like spilt cocoa!  Found on  stumps or living trunks of deciduous trees, mainly beeches, widespread and common. Has been uses as a drawing medium for artists. When the surface is rubbed or scratched with a sharp implement, it changes from light to dark brown, producing visible lines and shading. Similar species Ganoderma Australe 

 

Ganoderma resinaceum : Laquered Bracket This bracket looks like a Ganoderma resinaceum : Lacquered Bracket which can turn black when old. Has a very glossy upper surface which really shines when wet. Mainly found on broad leaved trees such as Oak and Beech.

 

Razorstrop fungusBirch Polypore or Razorstrop Piptoporus Betulinus -  Birch Polypore or Razorstrop fungus. This large, up to 20cm across white bracket fungus grows horizontally from the trunk of ill or aging birch trees, eventually killing them. Seen  almost everywhere where there are birch trees. At any time of year. The tough, rubber like flesh used to be used as an alternative for leather in razorstrops to put the finest edge on cut-throat razors.  
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Jelly Fungi

Auriculariales. This category includes a wide variety of fungi which produce fruiting bodies looking like shapeless blobs of jelly, or in shapes such as 'ears' and 'tongues'. They are soft, or jelly-like and can be found on trees, or on the ground. There are approximately 10 species in Britain.

Auricularia auricula-judae, Jelly Ear, Jews Ear, fungus Jelly Ear, Jew's  Ear -  Auricularia auricula- judae. Common, found in the UK  all year round. Soft, floppy, reddish brown ear on branches. Jew's Ear fungus likes to grow on common elder and false acacia.  It is edible and considered a delicacy in the far east. n.b.  'Jews ear' refer to the legend that Judas hung himself on an Elder  the 'ear' being his returned spirit.

 

Earthballs, Puffballs and Earth Stars

Earthballs, fungi Puffball Puffballs Earthstars - Geastrum triplex  Earth Balls: Scleroderma citrinum  These fungi contain their spores inside a ball of some kind. The ball may be stalked or at ground level. The spore mass in the centre of the ball is solid to begin with, but later develops into a powdery mass of spores. The common Earthball is usually deep yellow, club shaped with a scaly pattern on its surface. It grows on the ground and is quite variable in size upto 10cm wide.  It has a thicker ‘skin’ than puffballs. The Earthball bursts open when ripe to release the spores from the blackish mass within. Found on sandy or marshy soils in Coniferous woodland in October - November  Puff Balls: Lycoperdon perlatum. Colour is initially white turning greyish brown with age, the surface is covered in soft conical points. The  spores are puffed out  through a small pore at the top of the ball when touched. Found in deciduous and coniferous woodland. Very Common. Seen September ­ November.  Earth Stars : Geastrum fimbriatum  the ball has a tough outer covering which splits and spread out like petals to form a star-shape, exposing the inner spore-containing ball. Up to 10cm across .Found mainly on spruce woodland on dry limestone soils. Seen September ­ November

Raindrops or animal contact placing pressure on the top of Puffballs and Earth Stars will force the spores inside to puff out and be carried away by air currents.

 

Other Fungi

Candlestuff Candlesnuff:   Xylaria hypoxylon. Found throughout the UK  All year, but especially in autumn and winter. Grows on dead deciduous wood, especially beech wood. Sometimes called the 'stags horn fungus'. This is quite a strong and rubbery fungus. You can actually bend it without breaking it. It is black at the base, grey in the middle and white at the tips. Just like a snuffed candle wick - hence the name.


Wrinkled club Wrinkled clubClavulina rugosa: The Wrinkled Club. The white, sparsely branched fruit bodies of this fungus are found in short grass, leaf litter or mosses, usually in or near woodland from Summer- Late Autumn.4-12 cm high; to 1.5 cm wide; unbranched or divided one to several times (often appearing antler-like

 

Coral spotCoral spot Nectria cinnabarina :Coral Spot

A fungus which mainly lives on dead wood, although it it may also live on live wood. The fungus enters the wood via a wound in the plant ie pruning snags and frost damaged twigs. It is spread by splashes from rain or watering. Small, bright, coral-pink raised pustules 2-3mm wide appear on the branches of woody shrubs and trees, these contain the spores. A devastating disease to live wood, as it's thread-like hyphae grow through the plant tissue, causing wilting, die-back and  eventually death. Commonly affects shrubs  Eleagnus, Magnolias, Acers and currants. Common and found  all year round.

 

                                     

 

HOW TO MAKE A SPORE PRINT    Mushroom Spore Print

Mushrooms produce millions of spores, the equivalent of seeds to  plants. Spores are made on the plate-like gills underneath the cap of a mushroom. When they are mature they fall off the gill and are blown about by the wind. Spores are so tiny that you normally need a microscope to see them, but with a spore print thousands of spores are all seen together.

Use freshly picked field mushrooms if possible, store in jam jar or plastic container.  

 

What to do:

Get 2 pieces of paper or card, one black , one white. Overlap the two sheets of paper and join them at the back with sticky tape.

 

Gently remove the cap from the mushroom and place it  gills down  on the joined paper so that half is on each colour. 

 

Cover the mushroom with the small  plastic container  or jam jar to stop it drying out and leave everything where it is for  24 hours. 

 

Carefully remove the cover and fungus. You should see a pattern on one half of the joined paper depending on the colour of the spores. Spore colour varies - in the case of Lyophyllum it is white hence the black paper.

 

To prevent smudging, you could "fix" your spore print with hair spray.  

 

If there is no pattern the mushroom might be too old or too dry, or you may need to leave it for longer - fungi may take over a day to release their spores.  If after 2 days you don't have a spore print then you are probably not going to get one. Use freshly picked field mushrooms if possible.

Mushroom running awayDancing Mushroom

 

This webpage has been created to help you identify some of our more common Fungi you may come across whilst out for a walk. If you would like to delve deeper into the world of fungi I recommend you start by attending a Fungal Foray. These events are often held by Countryside Rangers accompanied by Fungi experts - check event listing with your local authority's or wildlife trusts.

Northwest Fungus Group Logo I would like to thank Dr Paul F Hamlyn of the North West Fungus Group for his in invaluable help with species identification.  The  group holds of forays throughout the year. Two forays in the 2008 programme are suitable for beginners: Sunday 31August - Rixton Clay Pits, Warrington and Sunday 7th September at Moore Nature Reserve  Warrington. Go to the group website here: 

  http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm

 

Other Website's of interest:

http://www.abfg.org/

http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/

http://www.wrg.co.uk/moorenaturereserve/

 

                                                                                   

 

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