Members’ Finds - 2024
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December 30th 2024
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December 30th Lentinus brumalis (Winter Polypore) On woody debris in a plum orchard at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted this singleton showing the typical characteristics of the species and at the correct time of year as well. The cap colour, regular shape with slightly fluted edge with distinct but white pores 2-3 per mm which are slightly decurrent all point to this species - previously in genus Polyporus. Previous finds |
December 26th 2024
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December 26th Mycena speirea (Bark Bonnet)  At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted these two small Bonnets on some buried wood and though they are atypical for the species in some respects the microscopic details all matched well. This is one of several small pale Bonnets found on wood and often can be spotted in the field for its decurrent gills and brown central spot in the cap which helps to separate it from others. Fungi as we know can be fickle, however, which is where the scope comes in handy as microscopic features tend to be much more consistent than field characters. (We will soon have to adopt the new genus name Phleomania for this species which is one of our commonest Bonnets found on fallen deciduous wood. Previous finds |
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December 26th Dichomitus campestris (Hazel Porecrust) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly noticed this 'honeycomb'-like resupinate fungus on a fallen deciduous twig, possibly Hazel but could have been Oak - both are plentiful at this site. Checking at home later he identified it from similar images and Penny agrees with his determination. (Note the black surround apparently typical of the species and visible in photo 1.) Both tree hosts are typical for this unusual species for which we have just four previous county records - two from this site, two from Burnham Beeches. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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December 26th Polycephalomyces tomentosus (an unusual asco with no English name) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly noticed these tiny white fungi parasitising a colony of an unidentified species of slime mould belonging to the genus Trichia. The species is extremely similar to another we've featured in Members' Finds, Stilbella byssiseda, but that species parasitises a different genus of slime mould: Cribraria. We have only a handful of records for today's species and one of those (recorded on Cribraria) is presumably incorrect and should be the Stilbella. This is a new entry for Finds and interestingly the species is apparently loosely related to the genus Cordyceps. |
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December 26th Stropharia inuncta (Smoky Roundhead) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this pair of rather nondescript little mushrooms in a grassy pathside and recognised the species having found it in a similar spot earlier in the year. Testing for the gelatinous peelable cuticle quickly confirmed it. This is a species which can cause confusion, however, because though similar in grassy habitat, size, sliminess with a dark ring zone to Stropharia caerulea (Blue Roundhead) it lacks the distinctive blue/green cap colour of that species, being just dull palish grey. The microscopic characters of this genus are distinctive and should help if in doubt. Previous finds |
December 14th 2024
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December 14th Hygrocybe ceracea (Butter Waxcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found several examples of this small to medium yellow Waxcap which is a regular at this site. Easily confused with H. chlorophana (Golden Waxcap) which can be very similar in colour though is medium to large, in the field the smaller species has a greasy cap but a dry stem as opposed to both cap and stem feeling greasy. There are also clear microscopic differences which should help to confirm if in doubt. Photos 1 and 2 show a variation in colour tone and photo 3 was taken in the same spot on Boxing Day where it was still fruiting. Previous finds |
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December 14th Laccaria proxima (Scurfy Deceiver) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan came across this pair of Deceivers in a grassy area and though they appeared just like the common L. laccata without much sign of the scurfy cap, also quite small, she had found typical larger coarser specimens of L. proxima in this same spot a few week earlier so decided to check the spore shape and sure enough they were ovall as in L. proxima rather than round as in L. laccata. It can often be tricky to separate these two species when found in 'heathy' habitat more suited to L. proxima because L. laccata can also occur in this habitat. Checking the spores is the only way to be sure ............. Previous finds |
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December 14th Entoloma conferendum (Star Pinkgill) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this late fruiting of this Pinkgill in a grassy area - one of our commonest and also luckily one of the easiest to name once you look at the spores with a scope. All species of Entoloma develop pink gills and have typically distinctive ornamented spores with nobbles but this species is almost alone in having unmistakeably stellate-shaped spores. Previous finds |
December 12th 2024
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December 12th Trichia crateriformis (a slime mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches a small group of us met up specifically to look for slime moulds and we were rewarded with about 10 different species of which this unusual species was one. Originally known as T. decipiens var. olivacea, then as T. meylanii, it is now a species within its own right, and for a full descriptions see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichia_crateriformis. This is a new county record and is also a new entry for Finds. The photo is Sarah Ebdon's; photos 2 and 3 are Barry Webb's. |
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December 12th Metatrichia vesparium (a slime mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches a small group of us met up specifically to look for slime moulds and we were rewarded with about 10 different species of which this was one which we found on several different rotting Beech logs. This is not a common species and was found by Barry Webb at this site new to the county a year ago. It is distinctive enough, however, to recognise in the field and although tiny has clustered heads on one stalk reminiscent of a wasp's nest - hence its Latin species name. The elaters (fine tubes) and spores are reddish orange, as is the stalk. Photos 1 and 2 are Sarah Ebdon's; photos 3 and 4 are Barry Webb's taken on this same trunk on October 30th and December 18th respectively. Previous finds |
.jpg "Photo © Sarah Ebdon")
.jpg "Photo © Barry Webb FRPS") |
December 12th Metatrichia floriformis (a slime mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches a small group of us met up specifically to look for slime moulds and we were rewarded with about 10 different species of which this was one. It is one of the commonest and also one of the easiest to recognise from its reddish stalks and round black heads which split open 'flowerlike' to reveal the orange mass of elaters (fine tubes) which act as protection for the spores - also orange - as they mature. Photos 1 and 2 are Sarah Ebdon's, photo 3 is Barry Webb's. Previous finds |
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December 12th Eriopezia caesia (discomycete with no English name) On a piece of fallen rotting Oak at Burnham Beeches Stephen Plummer spotted this swarm of tiny discs which attracted his attention, looking similar but distinctly different from the genus Mollisia, ie greyish, tiny and round. At home he was able to identify it, confirmed also by Sarah Ebdon who checked the spores. It is apparently not especially rare, favours Oak as host, and we have just three records on our database but all are out of the county, so this is a first for the site, the county, and for Finds. The photo is Sarah Ebdon's. |
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December 12th Ganoderma pfeifferi (Beeswax Bracket) At Burnham Beeches Sarah Ebdon noticed these brackets at the base of a living Beech and on closer inspection saw that the upper surface, when dampened and free of the brown spore deposit, was not only hard but remarkably shiny, also more 'half-oval' in shape rather than semicircular as in the far more common species of Ganoderma. She and Penny suspected this was one of the genus to have an upper surface with a lacquered crust which melts when heated. Spores were collected from the surface to check and as no flame was available Sarah took a very small piece from the corner to allow her to study it in detail later, including applying a flame! Watch for the melted resin bubbling right at the end. The spore size (particularly the width) together with the melting surface and distinct smell of beeswax Sarah noted at home confirmed our ID. The species is not at all common, nearly always on mature Beech, and about half of our dozen or so records are from this site. The two photos are Penny's and the video is Sarah's. Previous finds |
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December 12th Ascocoryne cylichnium (Budding Jellydisc) At Burnham Beeches on the underside of a bare fallen Pine trunk Claire Williams found this generous spread of purplish pink discs. This aroused interest amongst our small group as we were unsure whether either of the two Ascocoryne species (the second being A. sarcoides) commonly recorded on Beech could occur on conifer as well. Sarah Ebdon (whose photo is shown here) did a fair amount of research at home, examining a sample in detail, and concluded that both species were known from Pine and that this collection matched best with A. cylichnium considering not only spore size and shape but other microscopic features as well. Previous finds |
m.jpg "Photo © Claudi Soler") |
December 12th Fomitopsis pinicola (Redbelted Bracket) On a fallen Beech trunk at Burnham Beeches our small group admired this now common bracket which is a regular on this particular trunk. The mature singleton (Penny's photo) was impressively marked with the red belt though when younger this features is far less obvious making the species quite difficult to separate from other similar hard brackets. Photo 2 is of a less mature collection we found a week earlier here on fallen Birch, taken by Claudi Soler, when we also found it on standing Pine - the host for which it is named though it is by no means restricted to that tree and seems much more common on both Beech and Birch here. Previous finds |
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December 12th Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) At Burnham Beeches Gill Ferguson spotted this photogenic cluster on a rotting deciduous trunk which then spurred Claire Williams to get out the camera! Usually an abundant fruiter it has not been as common as usual this autumn, also this particular collection is notably dark and it's unusual to find it with such marked contrast between the cap colour and gills. Previous finds |
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December 12th Bjerkandera adusta ISmoky Bracket) At Burnham Beeches Penny noticed this common species fruiting in rows all along a fallen Beech trunk. Looking quite similar, as it does, to the even more common Trametes versicolor (Turkeytail) it's always worth checking a piece by turning it over to see the smooth smoky grey underside but with a white exterior rim - distinctly different from the all white pored underside of Turkeytail. Previous finds |
December 9th 2024
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December 9th Trametes pubescens (a bracket with no English name) On a Cherry log at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this bracket starting to emerge several week ago, then returned today to see how it was developing. The pale downy upper surface, rather angular and mazelike but distinct pores together with narrow allantoid spores led her to this species, which resembles a finely furry but colourless T. versicolor (Turkeytail) though completely lacks the contrasting bands which characterise that common species. She discovered that it is known to occur on fruit trees as well as deciduous woodland trees which helped to confirm her ID. We have just one previous record, from Burnham Beeches where the ID was confirmed by expert Leif Ryvarden, so it appears that this is either not at all common or maybe just misidentified. |
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December 9th Hypholoma lateritium (Brick Tuft) On a large woodchip pile at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this generous fruiting of a species somewhat similar to the common Hypholoma fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft) but with differences. The species is far less common, favours deciduous stumps and woody remains, and lacks the greenish yellow cap colours of the H. fasciculare, having much rustier red tones which are also apparent in the lower stem. Previous finds |
December 7th 2024
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December 7th Trichia decipiens ( a slime mould) In Lott Wood near Stokenchurch Jackie Newcombe noticed these tiny bright orange globes in a pile of fallen wood. New to her, she worked out their identity from online photos and sent them to Penny to check. With its combination of orange blobs with short white stalks this is one of few slime moulds distinctive enough at this early plasmodium stage to identify in the field. In fact once mature it looks like many others and needs a scope to name though it is possibly one of our commonest species. Previous finds |
December 4th 2024
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December 4th Trichia cf ambigua (a rare slime mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches on some rotting woody debris Barry Webb found these distinctive tiny orange clustered blobs, and is fairly confident that they will be confirmed as this newly described species of Trichia now that the T. botrytis complex has been sorted out. However, the name T. ambigua is yet to be accepted by either FRDBI or Species Fungorum so at present it is not possible to record it as this. Once the name has filtered through the system it is possible that this find will be the first for the UK. Watch this space ............... |
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December 4th Physarum pusillum (a slime mould) At Burnham Beeches on a rotting heap of woody debris Barry Webb found this tiny slime mould, recognising the species from its distinctive red stalk. He's found it twice before in the county - once from this site three years ago, so a nice find. Previous finds |
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December 4th Didymium eximium (a slime mould) and Volutella ciliata (an ascomycete with no English name) Two for the price of one here. At Burnham Beeches on a rotting heap of woody debris Barry Webb found this tiny slime mould accompanied by this remarkably hairy but even tinier ascomycete. If one considers that the Didymium is no taller than a few mms it puts the Volutella into perspective! The Didymium is not common and was new to the county when found recently by Barry on our walk at Stoke Common and subsequently identified by Jackie McKenzie-Dodds. The Volutella is also not that common with two previous county records - one from this site. Previous finds - Didymium eximium Previous finds - Volutella ciliata |
_Burnham_Beeches_241204 CVS(1)m.jpg "Photo © Claudi Soler") |
December 4th Botryobasidium candicans (Stardust Crust) At Burnham Beeches Claudi Soler was on the lookout for any corticioid species on fallen wood and this was one of his collections which he made and then studied at home to identify. In the field it looks much like many other corticioid species - often affectionately described as splashes of white paint - but under the scope their individual and often distinctive features are revealed though finding these is a skilled job! Though not rare, we have just two previous county records and today's find is new to the site and to Finds. |
m.jpg "Photo ©") |
December 4th Athelia epiphylla (Candelabra Duster) At Burnham Beeches Claudi Soler was on the lookout for any corticioid species on fallen wood and this was one of his collections which he made and then studied at home to identify. In the field it looks much like many other corticioid species - often affectionately described as splashes of white paint - but under the scope their individual and often distinctive features are revealed though finding these is a skilled job! Though not rare, we have only two previous county records made by Kerry Robinson in 2000 and today's find is new to the site and to Finds. |
.jpg "Photo © Barry Webb FRPS") |
December 4th Henningsomyces candidus (White Tubelet) At Burnham Beeches these tiny white beauties were spotted by Jesper Launder on some fallen Pine. Each miniscule tube is less than 1mm tall and the species tends to form swarms on conifer wood though a hand lens is needed to appreciate the detail. It is a basidiomycete belonging to the cyphelloids, and is not uncommon but easily overlooked for obvious reasons. The photo is Barry Webb's. Previous finds |
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December 4th Steccherinum bourdotii (an unusual fungus with no English name) On a fallen Birch trunk at Burnham Beeches this toothed bracket-cum-corticioid was noticed by our group and the discussion that followed led us to this genus - superficially similar to Junghunia nitida but having a toothed undersurface rather than pored. We have examples of S. ochraceum (Ochre Spreading Tooth) and S. fimbriatum (no English name) on Finds for comparison, but today's species is much rarer, first described in 1988, is new to the county and with only about 40 FRDBI records. Claudi Soler was able to make the ID from the microscopic characters and a sample will be dried for sequencing. Photo 1 is Claudi's, photo 2 is Sarah Ebdon's, photo 3 is Barry Webb's. |
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December 4th Sarcomyxa serotina (Olive Oysterling) At Burnham Beeches on a living Oak branch but conveniently at eye level, Claudi Soler noticed this attractive cluster. The species, previously in genus Panellus, is a late season fruiter on deciduous wood though is not that common. The distinctive dark olive green cap colour tends to fade but is showing well in these fresh specimens together with the crowded cream gills and short eccentric stem. Photos 1 and 2 are Penny's photo 3 is Sarah Ebdon's. Previous finds |
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December 4th Stereum rameale (a Crust with no common name) On a deciduous stick at Burnham Beeches Penny noticed this small pale fungus, suspected it was this likely to be this species and as Claudi was present she took the opportunity to ask him to check it. It is considerably paler, smoother and smaller than the very common S. hirsuta (Hairy Curtain Crust) and is a species we tend to name with some doubt in the field, so it was useful to be able to get it microscopically confirmed by someone becoming somewhat expert with corticioids and brackets. Though not a rarity this is a new entry for Finds. |
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December 4th Plicatura crispa (Crimped Gill) Near the Burnham Beeches cafe our small group spotted this fallen Birch literally smothered in this now common small bracket. The now fully mature fruibodies, no more than 3 cm across, showed some interesting bands of blue-green, also apparent on the underside of the upturned examples in photo 2, which though not mentioned in descriptions clearly must sometimes develop at maturity and had been previously observed by Jesper. The photos are Penny's. Previous finds |
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December 4th Coprinopsis picacea (Magpie Inkcap) Whilst enjoying a warming drink in the Burnham Beeches cafe, Jesper Launder noticed this attractive cluster nestling against the fence! Somewhat late in the season for this species, it was much admired by our group. The photo is Sarah Ebdon's. Previous finds |
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December 4th Vuilleminia comedens (Waxy Crust) At Burnham Beeches Jesper Launder noticed this purplish lilac waxy patch of corticioid on a piece of fallen Oak and, recognising it, checked it later at home. This is an inconspicuous species, not rare, and has very distinctive allantoid (sausage-shaped) spores. We have plenty of county records though none since 2007 and it appears to be new to the Beeches also. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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December 4th Conocybe anthracophila (Bonfire Conecap) At Burnham Beeches a group of us found a few examples of this little LBJ in a cleared area with litter and woody remains which may possibly have been burnt ground. Jesper Launder took it home to identify (the photo is his) and keyed it out from its microscopic characters, learning that despite its name it is not restricted to burnt ground and it could also have been on old dung of some sort. The species appears to be new to the site and to the county. |
November 29th 2024
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November 29th Cyathus stercoreus (Dung Bird's Nest) Ten days ago at Burnham Beeches Barry Webb was taken to see this very rare species of Bird's Nest (photo 1) by a member of the public who'd been shown it by a mycologist friend a few days earlier and though there were only these two immature specimens remaining, she explained that there had been plenty more previously though still not fully developed (photo 2, taken by Piermario Maculan, London Nat. Hist. Soc. member). It was growing on cow dung in a grassy area and Barry collected a sample to incubate at home in the hope of further development. This didn't happen, however, but on returning to the site today he was rewarded with these fully developed fruitbodies (photo 3) leaving little doubt as to their identity, each 'nest' less than 8mm across and having a smooth blackish interior with equally dark packets of spores within. He took Penny to collect some samples a few days later and she was able to confirm the ID from the spore size.This species is a real rarity and the few UK records are mainly from dunes on dung of various sorts, particularly on rabbit dung. Inlaend records are extremely scarce and not surprisingly this is new to both the site and the county. A sample will be sequenced. |
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November 29th Sphaerobolus stellatus (Shooting Star) On a patch of cow dung in a grassy area at Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found two interesting species of which this tiny species was one (see entry above for the second!). Only 3mm across when expanded, it is not unlike a miniscule Earthstar (and is distantly related to the genus Geastrum) and Barry's photo shows unopened examples with the central one open with its spore-containing 'peridiole' not yet expelled. When this happens it is forcibly ejected several feet away and has a gelatinous coating which helps it stick to whatever it lands on. Other common names are Shotgun Fungus, Artillery Fungus or Cannonball Fungus – all suitably descriptive. It is not rare and occurs on dung or rotting vegetative matter including wood and we have only three county records this century, the only two from Burnham Beeches are dated 1923 and 1947!! For further information on the species try this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphaerobolus. This is a new entry for Finds. |
November 15th 2024
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November 15th Lycoperdon lividum (Grassland Puffball) On the Helianthemum-covered escarpment at Coombe Hill Penny came across just a very few of these unusual and tiny puffballs which caught her attention having seen them in good number recently in the Forest of Dean. Checking the spores is important with this genus for species other than those which are common and familiar, and she was able to confirm her ID, then discovering that of our three previous county records- no wonder she'd forgotten all about it! This is a new entry for Finds. |
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November 15th Clavulinopsis luteoalba (Apricot Club) In the mossy short grass at Coombe Hill Penny noticed these bright orange spikes everywhere and they were much more apparent than the normally very frequent C. helvola (Yellow Club). Though one is advised that these small and attractive fungi always need a scope to name safely, it is becoming increasingly likely that the distinctive orange rather than yellow of this particular species - often also with white tips as can be seen here - is one that can be safely named in the field. Separating C. helvola from the much rarer C. laeticolor is still, however, a job for the scope! Previous finds |
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November 15th Cheilymenia granulata (an ascomycete with no English name) On many of the cowpats at Coombe Hill Penny saw these patches of tiny bright orange-red cup fungi. A scope at home revealed the large smooth cylindrical spores of this species, also the absence of septate pointed hairs around the margin which are present in other similar species found in dung. C. granulata is very common and was previously and better known in genus Coprobia which now appears to be obsolete genus name. Previous finds |
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November 15th Parasola plicatilis (Pleated Inkcap) In the grassy areas at Coombe Hill Penny found this pretty and delicate species and took it home to check the spores which are all important when separating the several likely members of genus Parasola which occur in grass. Though the name plicatilis is the most familiar it is by no means the commonest and has longer less heart-shaped spores than more common P. leiocephala. The cap was about 1 cm across. |
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November 15th Atheniella flavoalba (Ivory Bonnet) This may be a new genus name to many, but as it is now accepted in Species Fungorum we need to start using it! Previously in genus Mycena, this is a common small grassland species and easy to recognise with its white cap having a yellowish centre. Today's photos come from Coombe Hill where Penny found it in good numbers in the short well manured mossy grassy areas. You might like to note that two other Mycena species which are moved to Atheniella are A. amicta (Coldfoot Bonnet) and the very common A. leptocephala (Nitrous Bonnet). Previous finds |
November 14th 2024
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November 14th Mycopan scabripes (a rare mushroom with no English name)  On the Helianthemum-covered escarpment at Coombe Hill Penny came across two separate collections of a brown mycenoid mushroom which she was confused by. The white gills contrasted strongly with the brown cap and stem and it lacked a smell and didn't seem to fit with any of the grassland Mycena species she knew of. At home she found quantities of large lageniform cystidia which started to ring a bell, not because they matched any Mycena but because she recalled finding something very similar at Watlington Hill (Oxon) also with Helianthemum. Looking up her notes and photos, her found her descriptions for Hydropus scabripes from 2015 and 2019 at Watlington were spot on for today's Coombe Hill collections. Back in 2019 BFG had no access to DNA sequencing so there had to be doubt over her IDs - there are still only two FRDBI records for this species dated 2018 and 2021 - so clearly it is important to have a Coombe Hill sample sequenced as this in not only new to the county but obviously very rare. Many species previously in genus Hydropus have now been moved elsewhere, so Mycopan is the current genus name for our species but it is just possible that this particular collection, made now several times with Helianthemum, may be a cryptic unnamed species as neither of the two previous FRDBI records were with this plant. Fingers crossed that sequencing will shed more light ............... UPDATE 01.04.2025: Sequencing proved a match to Mycopan scabripes, so this is new to Bucks and the 3rd UK record in FRDBI |
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November 14th Tricholoma hemisulphureum (a species of Knight with no English name) On the Helianthemum-covered escarpment at Coombe Hill Penny was on the lookout for any of the special mushrooms which associate with this particular plant. She found only this one, a fairly nondescript species which, however, is clearly related to the familiar yellow T. sulphureum (Sulphur Knight) sharing its remarkably pungent and unpleasant smell of coal gas tar. Once smelt never forgotten! It appears to be host specific to Helianthemum so well worth looking out for, as are many other mycorrhizal species, wherever that plant occurs. Previous finds |
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November 14th Lepista luscina (Spotted Blewit) In various different grassy areas at Coombe Hill Penny came across clumps of large specimens of this quite unusual species which seems to be a regular at this site. Unfortunately they were all well past their sell-by date except for one which she managed to turn over without it collapsing to show the crowded decurrent gills of the species. They were too far gone to have their typical sweet smell but the caps - up to 10-11 cm across - showed the distinctive droplet markings which characterise this grassland species. Previous finds |
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November 14th Gliophorus psittacinus (Parrot Waxcap) Near the monument at Coombe Hill Penny noticed these large yellow caps (4-5 cm across) which proved to be Parrot Waxcaps - a common species but what was unusual about them was their size and the lack of green even at the stem apex on several specimens. They were suitably sticky and enough of them were indeed showing the typical green to remove any doubt but she felt it was worth including here as an example of how varied the species can be. Previous finds |
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November 14th Geoglossum cookeanum (an Earthtongue with no English name) As Penny stepped onto the Helianthemum-covered escarpment at Coombe Hill the first fungi she saw was a large patch of black clubs near the main path. Not having seen this genus here before she took one home to identify, following the key and counting the number of septa in the amazing long spear-like spores and taking note of the shape of the paraphyses (cells which lie between the spore-containing asci). Having worked out the species name, she then found that it had been seen here back in 2001 when identified by Steve Kelly (it being one of his favourite genera). We have quite a few records from elsewhere and this is not considered a rarity. Previous finds |
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November 14th Parasola misera (Least Inkcap) In a patch of cow dung at Coombe Hill Penny spotted this tiny star-shaped white cap and guessed it was likely to be this species as it was on dung though despite its name there are even smaller Inkcaps! Members of genus Parasola are often easier to tackle at home purely because they don't deliquesce like the other Inkcap genera which tend to provide one with no more than a black mess in ones pot! Penny was therefore able to check the spore size and shape to confirm the determination. The cap was no more than 4 mm across. Previous finds |
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November 14th Xylaria hypoxylon (Candlesnuff Fungus) In Salden Wood Bob Simpson was intrigued by these somewhat skinny white threads emerging from the sawn end of a Hazel log. Was this really just the very common X. hypoxylon or could it be a different species from that genus, maybe H. filiformis, the name of which seemed to fit the bill but he could find no details about it? When he sent his photos round to a selection of colleagues for their opinions. Sarah Ebdon came up with the information that H. filiformis grows on herbaceous stems and leaf litter therefore was eliminated, also several of us have noticed this phenomenon this season with very thin whispy examples of X. hypoxylon appearing. It's been a funny season ................. Previous finds |
November 9th 2024
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November 9th Arrhenia velutipes (Alpine Navel) In low cut mossy grass at Cliveden Estate Russell Ness found this small 'omphaloid' species where he'd discovered this genus in previous years though this collection seemed a bit different. He noted the stem was thickly pubescent and it had a faint Pelargonium smell and these characters together with microscopic details led to this species in the key. It appears that it is by no means restricted to alpine conditions despite the English name though this is new to the county with only 10 FRDBI records which come from all over the UK. This was a nice find. |
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November 9th Deconica crobula (a species of Brownie with no English name) In low cut mossy grass at Cliveden Estate Russell Ness found these few LBJs and took them home to work on. The gelatinous peelable cap cuticle together with spore colour, size and shape took him to this species with which the pale cap having visible veil remnants fitted well. The species is somewhat similar to D. inquilina which (judging from descriptions) has slightly longer spores and more widely spaced gills (see Finds entry from Stampwell Farm Nov 2nd for comparison) though both are found on woody debris- sometimes submerged - and also in grassy areas. Previous finds |
November 8th 2024
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November 8th Trametes hirsuta (Hairy Bracket) On a fallen Plum branch at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed these brackets and thought they were likely to be this species - similar to but much less common than T. versicolor (Turkeytail) with which many are familiar. Penny suggested she should ask Claudi Soler to check her photo and he was able to confirm her ID. The top specimen in her photo show the pores typical of the genus but the lower specimens wshow the pale somewhat hairy surface of this species. Previous finds |
November 7th 2024
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November 7th Marasmius hudsonii (Holly Parachute) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Barry and Gill, whilst searching under bushes in litter for slime moulds, discovered this special little mushroom which appears to be becoming much more common in our area. It is miniscule and only grows on dead Holly leaves and was new to the county only a few years ago. New to the site today it caused the usual stir and amazement when found especially when viewed with a hand lens which is essential to see the rusty red prickles which adorn both the cap and stem. The photo is Barry Webb's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Diachea leucopodia (a slime mould with no English name) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Barry and Gill were on the hunt for slime moulds and came across a beautiful swarm of these tiny little stunners on the edge of a leafy compost heap together with several other interesting slime moulds and fungi. The glistening irridescence contrasting with white stalk of this particular species makes it an easy one to identify but though described as common in the south this is a first for the county and there appear to be only a handful of records on FRDBI. The photo is Barry Webb's. |
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November 7th Didymium squamulosum (a slime mould with no English name) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Barry and Gill were on the hunt for slime moulds and came across this species on some twiggy litter. One of the commonest members of this large genus, it often goes unnoticed being so tiny - only a few mm high- and the squamulose surface is showing nicely here. The photo is Barry Webb's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Cystoderma amianthinum (Earthy Powder-cap) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group found only one or two examples of this normally quite common grassland species though for some inexplicable reason and unlike many grassland species it seems to have been quite scarce this autumn. Similar to a small Lepiota (Dapperling), it has a scurfy coating on the cap and the veil often leaves white flecks on the cap margin with a ring on the stem though this can be ephemeral. These features are nicely clear in the photo and have not yet been washed off by the rain droplets. The photos is Barry Webb's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Gliophorus aff. europerplexus (Butterscotch Waxcap) In St Giles Churchyard Stoke Poges, Penny went to check if this rare species - found here several times in the last few years - was by any chance fruiting at the moment. Success! There were just these two unmistakable and slimy fruitbodies showing their distinctive colour in cap, gills and stem though there was just a hint of green in one of the caps shedding a little doubt because it is thought that the 'psittacina'-like green should be absent. However, Jackie Ewan has also found this same species at Stampwell Farm showing hints of green and we'll get both samples sequenced to aid Martyn Ainsworth at RBG Kew in his research to determine whether this UK species is the same as those found in Europe or maybe a unique as yet unnamed Waxcap. Watch this space! Previous finds |
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November 7th Porpolomopsis calyptriformis (Pink Waxcap / Ballerina Waxcap) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group was hopeful of seeing this charismatic Waxcap and we were certainly not disappointed. This site is now one of the county's strongholds for the species and there were good numbers on display in its usual spot; we found it elsewhere in the lawns as well. The photos are Leigh McMahon's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Hygrocybe intermedia (Fibrous Waxcap) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group were particularly pleased to see this species, new to the site and quite a rarity. This is a large chunky dry waxcap with a conical streaky orange / yellow / reddish cap which tends to split and a concolorous thick fibrous stem and was one of 15 waxcaps seen here today, three of which were new to the site. We have only one or two known county sites with very few records but this year would be a good one to look out for it in likely grassy spots, being the best year for waxcaps for quite a time. The photo is Leigh McMahon's Previous finds |
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November 7th Gliophorus laetus (Heath Waxcap) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group were pleased to see this species, new to the site, coming up in good numbers. Similar to G. psittacinus (Parrot Waxcap) which we also saw here today, it is slimy all over but lacks any green - even at the stem top - as in that species and also has a gelatinous coating on the gill edge which with care can be lifted away from the gill with a pin. (Sadly Penny didn't have a pin to hand!). The species is uncommon and though we have quite a few county records these are only from two or three other sites. Photo 1 is Penny's, photo 2 is Leguih McMahon's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Cuphophyllus flavipes (Yellowfoot Waxcap) Amongst the 15 different waxcap species our large group were treated to at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens this was one of the most unusual and was new to the site today though we found it last year in the adjacent St Giles Churchyard. It is one of the dry waxcaps now moved into genus Cuphophyllus and has a grey cap, white widely spaced gills and and a white stem which has a distinct hint of yellow towards the base. This was a nice find. The photos are Penny's. Previous finds |
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November 7th Peziza granulosa (a rare Peziza with no English name) On a large rotting heap of leaves and debris at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Barry Webb and Gill Ferguson found a range of species including this cup fungus which Penny suggested at first might possibly be a species of Tarzetta owing to its tightly rounded shape and pale colour when young with a slight fringed edge. However, a drop of Melzers reagent when examining under a scope turned the asci tips blue confirming it was in fact a species of Peziza. It keyed out convincingly to P. granulosa with large smooth spores and online images also showed its similarity to Tarzetta, confirming the ID. A sample will be dried for sequencing to confirm as we have only two previous county records. This is a new entry for Finds. The photo is Penny's. |
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November 7th Tapinella panuoides (Oyster Rollrim) On some sawn off conifer stumps in Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny spotted several small clusters of this quite unusual species, thought to be related to Paxillus (Rollrim) though in appearance rather similar to Pleurotus (Oyster) - hence its English name. It has a cap and gills with an orange peachy tinge and lacks a stem and favours fallen conifer wood. Previous finds |
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November 7th Lycoperdon nigrescens (Dusky Puffball) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens our large group found this very dark brown puffball in grass and questioned what species it might be. Later Penny checked the spores and also examined the spines on the surface which overlapped forming a pyramid, both features fitting with L. nigrescens which can sometimes be confused with other puffballs. The photo is Leigh McMahon's. Previous finds |
November 5th 2024
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November 5th Lepiota ochraceofulva (A rare Dapperling with no English name) Just outside Prestwood Churchyard Penny and Sarah spotted first one cap amongst the grassy litter under a large Cedar, then several more. The caps were about 6-7 cm across with a dark rusty centre but pale pinkish beige and finely tomentose towards the margin. Turning one over revealed cream to orange free gills, this colour also on the stem which was clearly orange-reddening where damaged. At first Penny was convinced this was a species of Leucoagaricus but it failed to key out satisfactorily in this genus, and Sarah, who'd also taken a specimen to work on, then suggested Lepiota ochraceofulva which fitted much better. This was a species which had also been found recently at Penn Churchyard and was new to the county in 2021 when found by Jesper Launder also under conifer. It appears to have an affinity with Cedar which also helped to confirm today's collection which will be dried for sequencing. The photos are Penny's. UPDATE 01.04.2025: Sequencing proved a match to Lepiota ochraceofulva so this is the second county record. Previous finds |
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November 5th Hodophilus cf. variabilipes (a rare species of Fanvault with no English name) Under a large Yew at Prestwood Churchyard Penny and Sarah spotted this singleton amongst the mossy grass. The cap was unfamiliar to them both and it was not until picked that the strongly decurrent and widely spaced gills together with black markings on the stem became apparent. They wondered at the time about the genus Arrhenia but later both guessed at the genus Hodophilus which the microscopic features seemed to fit. However, there are two very similar species which can have these black spots on the stem, both rare, and without access to more detailed descriptions they cannot be sure if this is the species suggested here or maybe H. atropunctus (Dotted Fanvault). Hopefully sequencing will remove the doubt. The photos are Penny's. |
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November 5th Cuphophyllus canescens (a rare waxcap with no English name) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny and Sarah found a couple of these pale grey waxcaps which they intantly knew was something un familiar and probably special. The widely spaced and upturned gills were remarkably interveined and unlike the unusual C. flavipes (Yellowfoot Waxcap - also grey and rare) it lacked any sign of yellow at the stem base. At home Penny found remarkably small subglobose spores, similar in shape to those of the common C. pratensis (Meadow Waxcap and also present here today) and this together with the notable gills and colour confirmed the ID. This is new to the county and appears to have only one previous UK record which seem extraordinary. So yet another exciting find for this special site with a growing list of interesting species. A sample will be sequenced. The photos are Penny's. |
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November 5th Gliophorus irrigatus ((Slimy Waxcap) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny and Sarah found several patches where this extremely slippery species was coming up. It may be dull grey brown in colour but what it lacks in brightness it makes up for in sliminess, proving difficult to collect as even the stem resists on gripping it! All the waxcaps now residing in this genus have slimy caps and stems but this one really deserves its English name. Previous finds |
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November 5th Amanita ceciliae (Snakeskin Grisette) This species was a surprise for Penny and Sarah when visiting Prestwood Churchyard in search of grassland species. It was in longish grass under Oak and though still at the 'button' stage was recognisable from the distinctly dingy grey thick veil remnants with the yellowish cap colour just showing through. It was new to this well recorded and special site and like many mycorrhizal genera Amanita has made a poor showing this autumn, this bieng one of the less common species. Previous finds |
November 4th 2024
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November 4th Rhodocollybia asema (Pale Butter Cap) In Burnham Beeches under mixed trees Penny found a patch of very pale capped Butter Caps, and having just learnt from Geoffrey Kibby that though previously considered just a pale variety of R. butyracea, this var. asema has apparently now been raised to specific status. So in effect this is a new species name for the county but will not count as such because we've been well aware of the wide variety of cap colour in specimens for some time. There will no doubt be intermediates found which are tricky to decide which name to apply, but for now this pale collection seem to fit the bill as R. asema. Previous entries for R. butyracea certainly include one other which should now be moved to R. asema in due course. |
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November 4th Narcissea patouillardii (Composting Inkcap) On a large heap comprising woodchip mixed with fallen leaves at Burnham Beeches Penny checked to see if anything was emerging. The heap was just beginning to heat up and sure enough she was rewarded with a nice display of Inkcaps in various stages of development. Taking them home to work on she found the spore size and shape pointed to this not uncommon species (previously in genus Coprinopsis) and the veil cells and other characteristics seemed to confirm it. However, a sample is dried for Derek to check as we appear to have very few county records and this is a new entry for Finds. |
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November 4th Coprinopsis pseudonivea (Aromatic Inkcap) In grassland at Burnham Beeches Penny noticed this species on some pony dung and recognised it from its thick whitish veil but with a pink tinge particularly in the centre. There are two medium sized very similar Inkcaps found on dung, the commonest being the pure white C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap), but in recent years this more unusual species having a pinkish cap has been becoming much more prevalent (or maybe we're more aware of its existence now?). Certainly at the Beeches it seems to be commoner of the two species. Previous finds |
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November 4th Lactarius hepaticus (Liver Milkcap) Under Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny found quite a few of these Milkcaps which only occur under this tree species. The English name refers to the liver-coloured cap and stem, and it has a smell similar to that of L. quietus and copious white milk which turns yellowish on a hankie. Previous finds |
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November 4th Inocybe stellatospora (Woolly Fibrecap) Under Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny found a few examples of this Fibrecap which is quite distinctive both in the field and under the scope. It favours conifers and has a shaggy cap and stem rather than truly woolly, and with a scope, as its Latin epithet suggests, it has somewhat stellate spores together with metuloid cystidia - those having thick walls and topped with crystals. It is not rare but is probably best described as occasional. Previous finds |
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November 4th Cortinarius semisanguineus (Surprise Webcap) Under Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny found good numbers of this attractive golden-capped species which never fails to surprise when one turns it over to reveal the contrasting blood red gills beneath. It was recently thought that examples occurring under Pine were a different species from those occurring under Birch, but the very latest thinking is that they are in fact all the same. Time will tell ............. Previous finds |
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November 4th Gymnopilus penetrans (Common Rustgill) Under Pine at Burnham Beeches Penny was pleased to find this normally common woodland mushroom fruiting on fallen wood and debris. It is always on fallen wood and favours conifer though also occurs on deciduous wood, and is recognised by its yellowish gills take on a rusty look as it ages Previous finds |
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November 4th Bolbitius titubans (Yellow Fieldcap) At Burnham Beeches Penny found this normally common grassland species fruiting nicely, but it caught her attention because she's hardly seen it at all so far this season and has been notably conspicuous by its absence. Previous finds |
November 3rd 2024
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November 3rd Clavaria asperulispora (a rare Club with no English name) In the grass at Prestwood Churchyard Phil Townsend found a remarkable group of what appeared to be dark purple clubs near to a small Yew bush (photo 1). He sent his photos to Penny in the hope of help with ID but Penny was nonplussed as well! She and Sarah visited this site two days later and found this same group though now appearing more dark brown to black rather than purple as it appeared earlier (Penny's photo 2). At home Penny found the spores were tiny, round and finely ornamented which matched perfectly with C. asperulispora, a rare species which was found here new to the county in 2021 by Jesper Launder though in small numbers and under a different Yew. The species reportedly favour Yew and there are still only three UK records other than Jesper's on FRDBI so to find such a rare species in impressive numbers like this is quite remarkable and it's exciting to find the species apparently thriving here. We will have a sample sequenced. UPDATE 01.04.2025: Sequencing failed to produce a match but there are no sequences of this species available for comparison - more evidence of its rarity. Previous finds |
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November 3rd Hygrocybe punicea (Crimson Waxcap) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Eleanor Page took this lovely photo of one of our less common waxcaps though this site is one of its county strongholds along with Prestwood Churchyard. This is a large chunky waxcap with a thick fibrous stem and even when young as here one can tell it has the potential to grow much bigger. Sarah and Penny found it 2 days later at Prestwood when the largest cap was a good 8 cm across (photo 2), and it was still fruiting well at Stoke Poges a week later. Previous finds |
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November 3rd Lepiota fuscovinacea (Dark Dapperling) At Cliveden Russell Ness spotted these dark caps in litter under mixed trees. They keyed out at home to this unusual Dapperling for which we have just handful of records. This genus has been scarce this autumn with even L. cristata (Stinking Dapperling) hardly making an appearance, so if you come across one have a good look around for other Dapperlings nearby as they often seem to come up quite near together. Previous finds |
November 2nd 2024
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November 2nd Deconica inquilina (Flecked Brownie) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this LBJ growing on dead grass stems, one that she didn't recognise and needed work to identify. She discovered that it had an unusual cap surface which was gelatinous and entirely peelable, and this together with the obvious white veil markings around the cap margin led her to this unusual species for which we have just a handful of previous records, mostly under its previous genus name Psilocybe. Previous finds |
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November 2nd Melanoleuca excissa (Smoky Cavalier) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted this quite unusual species in a sheep paddock where she recalls finding it several years ago. The genus is often one which confuses, has nothing very distinctive to help in the field other than a somewhat rounded umbo, and one tends to end up suggesting it having eliminated other likely candidates! Under the scope, however, the situation becomes more obvious if one checks with Melzers reagent for the amyloid spores which are also finely ornamented, then looks for the cystidia which are characteristically harpoon shaped with fine points though they can sometimes be hard to find. This particular species is not common and rather paler than others and is a new entry for Finds. We've not recorded it for about 20 years. |
November 1st 2024
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November 1st Leucoagaricus ionidicolor (a rare Dapperling with no English name) In Naphill Common Sarah Ebdon was amazed to come across this rare and beautiful species which she'd also found on our Walk at Mousells Wood only a week earlier. Today's was not quite such a photogenic collection (see her stunning photo in the Mousells Wood October 23rd report) but nevertheless recognisable by its remarkable and unique violet tinted cap and stem contrasting with the white crowded gills. Previous finds |
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November 1st Clavaria cf incarnata (Skinny club) At Prestwood Churchyard Sarah Ebdon came across a few of these pale salmon pink clubs growing inidividually rather than clustered and close to the much larger Cuphophyllus pratensis (Meadow Waxcap). Never having seen a pink club apart from the clustered C. fumosa (Smoky Spindles and a regular fruiter at this site though rare) before, she was intrigued and took one home to work on. She discovered there are in fact several pink clubs, none very common, and without detailed information very tricky to name and in fact only recently separated with DNA sequencing. The new and somewhat pricy monograph is probably the only way forward other than sequencing (which we will hope to do) Sarah discovered from the BMS Facbook page that C. incarnata seems to have an affinity with C. pratensis together with a variety of Thistle and this in fact checked out when she went back to the site . She and Penny then visited the site a week later and refound this beautiful club (photo 3 is Penny's) together with a host of other interesting species. We appear to have one previous county record dating from 1925 (!) in Gt Missenden (only a couple of miles from Prestwood) made by the eminent and highly acclaimed mycologist E. Corner. Far be it from Penny to discount this record but bearing in mind the developments in speciation over the last 100 years, we are hopeful that Sarah's find will turn out to be the first sequenced collection in Bucks therefore worthy of the prestigious yellow box here! UPDATE 01.04.2025: Sequencing proved a close match to Clavaria incarnata |
October 31st 2024
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October 31st Inocybe petiginosa (Scurfy Fibrecap) Under Beech in the Gerrards Cross area Jesper Launder noticed these small LBJs which didn't ring a bell of any sort. At home, however, there was no doubt over the genus once he'd seen the distinctive nodulose spores and metuloid cystidia (with thick yellow walls and topped with crystals) which when combined indicate the genus Inocybe (Fibrecap). This species, however, is not typical of the genus in appearance and regularly confuses even knowledgeable mycologists until this process of confusion in the field followed by revelation under the scope has been experienced! It is not that rare but is easily overlooked when mistaken maybe for a Tubaria or some other small brown capped species though the twotone cap with reddish brown centre and very pale rim is distinctive once you know it. Previous finds |
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October 31st Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Fungus) In Naphill Common Claire Williams could hardly miss this brightly coloured cup fungus - one which is quite common at this site and which favours disturbed soil. One of our larger cup fungi, it is similar in appearance to the genus Peziza apart from its dazzling bright orange flesh and of course its microscopic features (which one rarely needs to check for confirmation). Previous finds |
October 30th 2024
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October 30th Volvopluteus gloeocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this fairly uncommon grassland species which is easy to mistake for a large Pluteus if one fails to notice the white volva at the stem base - just visible in Jackie's photo. So if you come across a species with pink free gills which is well away from any fallen wood, take a careful look to see if there are remnants of a volva which can disintegrate and be easily missed. Back in the days when farmers regularly burnt their stubble fields after harvesting this species was much more common than it is now. Previous finds |
October 25th 2024
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October 25th Suillus bovinus (Bovine Bolete) At Stoke Common under Pine Jim Wills found this pair, and picking one to turn it over found it to be somewhat sticky. This observation together with the presence of pores underneath placed it into genus Suillus; then at home the distinctive shape of the pores, the cap colour and occurrence under Pine all pointed to this species - one of the commonest wherever Pine occurs. If you find it do have a quick look around for the accompanying pink-red cap of Gomphidius roseus (Rosy Spike), a small gilled mushroom which associates with this particular bolete. Previous finds |
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October 25th Postia ptychogaster (Powderpuff Bracket) At Little Marlow gravel pit David Corfield noticed these fluffy pompoms on fallen conifer, wondered what they could be and sent his photos to Mick Jones for any ideas. Mick was able to identify them and sent his photos on to Penny for confirmation. This is not a typical bracket - as is obvious from its appearance - but is the resting stage of the fungus when full of chlamydophores (asexual spores). However, it is rare to find this fungus in any other state! Previous finds |
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October 25th Chlorencoelia versiformis (an extremely rare cup fungus with no English name) In Stockfield Wood near Stokenchurch Jackie Newcombe noticed these olive green cup fungi on a rotting Ash trunk, the largest being about 2cm across. She struggled to find anything remotely like it in what books she had to hand but did find some images online which looked remarkably similar, though on discovering how rare the species was she doubted herself. On receiving her photos Penny, having never heard of this species, was equally dubious until finding further information both online and in Fungi of Temperate Europe (vol 2 p 1412). Despite the fact that this collection has not yet been checked microscopically she has no doubt from Jackie's images in in fact correct. The species has been included in provisional Red lists and has few UK records though has in recent years apparently been occurring in Sussex usually on rotten Ash as here. Maybe therefore it will become more common with the demise of Ash through Dieback disease. This was a significant find and is new to the county. Congratulations to Jackie for both finding and identifying it. The collection will be dried and sequenced. UPDATE 01.04.2025: Sequencing proved a 100% match to Chlorencoelia versiformis, a species with under 50 UK records. |
October 22nd 2024
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October 22nd Amanita pantherina (Panther Cap) In Bradenham Woods Sarah Ebdon came across this unusual Amanita - particular unusual this year when the genus has been in surprisingly short supply. The combination of brown cap with small white (not grey) evenly spaced flecks of veil should separate it from other similar species, and for further confirmation check the stem above the ring and the upper ring surface, both of which are smooth and not striate. Previous finds |
October 21st 2024
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October 21st Spinellus fusiger (Bonnet Mould) At Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer found this nice example of a fungus growing on a fungus! It occurs quite frequently on various species of Bonnet (the species was not identified here!) and occasionally on other genera as well. |
October 20th 2024
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October 20th Echinoderma jacobi (a Dapperling with no English name) Under nettles near Chalfont Common Jesper Launder came across this Dapperling which he didn't recognise and which he then keyed out at home to this rare species which appears to have under 10 UK records. Dapperlings seem to have a liking for growing in soil under nettles so it's often worth having a look (taking care, of course!). This rare find will be sequenced. |
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October 20th Cortinarius saturninus (Trooping Webcap) Under Willow in a roadside verge near Hedgerley, Jesper Launder saw two separate collections of this quite unusual Webcap. This is a member of Section Telamonia and grows gregariously, often in rings (hence the English name referring Saturn's rings), most often with Willow but also with Poplar and Hazel.We have just a handful of previous county records but this is a new entry for finds. |
October 19th 2024
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October 19th Clitocybe truncicola (Trunk Funnel) In a roadside verge near Denham Jesper Launder spotted this somewhat unusual mushroom which appeared to be fruiting on the remains of an old bracket. Nonplussed as to what it might be, he spent considerable time eventually arriving at this ID which apparently seems to fit well. The species has an earthy smell and grows on rotting wood (unusual for the genus) so presumably it was attaching to and getting nutrients from the wood through the old bracket. We have just one previous county record, so this was a significant find and the material will be sequenced. |
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October 19th Hericium erinaceus (Bearded Tooth) After information from a member of the public of a sighting of this rare species in the Bucks part of the Ashridge Estate, Sarah Ebdon went to investigate. She managed to find it though it was apparently still only a few cms across and inside a fallen rotting Beech trunk. This is a beautiful and special fungus, protected by law, and has probably been fruiting on this tree for several years though unnoticed. Hopefully it will continue to do so - this is an important find. Previous finds |
October 18th 2024
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October 18th Hebeloma radicosum (Rooting Poisonpie) In Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this quite large singleton, with cap about 7 cm across, which stumped him for identification at the time. He initially thought it might be a species of Pholiota, having a sticky cap, a ringed stem and found at the base of a Beech trunk, and it was not until spore colour and microscopic features together with the developing strong smell of marzipan were noted at home that he twigged what it was! This uncommon Hebeloma is unique amongst members of the genus in three ways: it has a ring on the stem, it roots deeply into its substrate and it has a distinctive marzipan smell. The least obvious of these features is probably the rooting stem which in older specimens is likely to snap off on collection and therefore be missed, especially if you don't know to check for it at the time - this is exactly what happened here! (Surely Marzipan Poisonpie would be a more apt name?) It is known that the root links to the latrines of voles and mice presumably supplying an extra source of nutrients. We have a handful of previous county records but this is a new entry for Finds. |
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October 18th Abortiporus biennis (Blushing Rosette) At the base of a roadside Lime in Gerrards Cross Jim Wills spotted this species emerging a few weeks ago when undeveloped and looking odd, so then returned to see what it had turned into. This a species which confuses quite often, being mistaken for a hydnoid type having spines or teeth and particular when sporting red droplets (not seen in this example). It grows on fallen branches - when easier to recognise from the more obvious tiered rosette shape - but when on submerged roots as here, sometimes apparently on soil at a path edge, the pinkish rosette shape is often less defined. The pores are mazelike and bruise brown if pressed which can be a useful confirmation if in doubt. Previous finds |
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October 18th Lepiota castanea (Chestnut Dapperling) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found this attractive species in litter. Similar to the much more common L. cristata (Stinking Dapperling) in size and shape, it not only lacks the smell of that species but has a thicker covering of small richer brown scales. Previous finds |
October 17th 2024
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October 17th Pluteus salicinus (Willow Shield) On fallen Willow at Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this species of Shield, one can be fairly sure of in the field owing to its grey cap and smallish size compared to the much more common and browner P. cervinus (Deer Shield). However, the cap colour can sometimes be intermediate between the two species so a microscopic check is always recommended. They both share the same cystidia topped with 'cats' ears but the cuticle hyphae - clamped in today's species but unclamped in P. cervinus - are the definitive test. Though Russell found it on Willow today, it is just as common on other deciduous fallen woods despite its English name. Previous finds |
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October 17th Pholiotina rugosa (Wrinkled Conecap) At Burnham Beeches Russell Ness spotting this small LBJ in woody debris and noting the distinctive ring on the stem instantly knew from which genus it belonged. The presence of a ring conveniently eliminates a whole range of similar LBJs, cutting the number of contenders down to around 7 species in genus Pholiotina - previously part of genus Conocybe with which it still shares the English genus name Conecap. Microscopic features are key here but a good clue to P. rugosa in the field is the faintly veined or grooved cap surface (clearly visible here) and the ring which is rather lower down the stem than in most other ringed mushrooms. Previous finds |
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October 17th Phellinus igniarius (Willow Bracket) In Burnham Beeches Russell Ness noticed a couple of these solid hooflike brackets on Willow, took his photos then researched at home to discover its identity. Superficially similar to Fomes fomentarius (Hoof Fungus) - now becoming quite common at this site but only occurring on Birch - this is another large perennial species which favours Willow and here was clearly well established on a Willow which had fallen but was continuing to support the fungus. Though there are plenty of UK records we have only one previous county record dating from 1978 in Denham where found by the well-known natural history author Roger Phillips and identified by Derek Reid, then president of the BMS. So Russell is in good company! |
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October 17th Hebeloma birrus (a species of Poisonpie with no English name) At Burnham Beeches in grassy soil under deciduous trees Russell Ness found a group of this Poisonpie which is quite common locally and usually has a clearly twotone cap which dark centre and pale rim. However all members of this tricky genus need identification using a scope. They have moist to sticky caps and most have a sharp radish smell though a few have a sweet burnt sugar smell and today's species has a faint component of cocoa especially in contained in a covered pot after collection. Previous finds |
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October 17th Armillaria ostoyae (Dark Honey Fungus) At Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this nice fresh clump just emerging on some mossy wood. The species is much less common than A. mellea (Honey Fungus) and A. gallica (Bulbous Honey Fungus) and often described as occurring on conifer but we certainly find it on deciduous wood locally. Not developed or visible here on this immature material is the typical dark brown markings on the base of the stem ring which help to separate it from the other contenders. Previous finds |
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October 17th Armillaria gallica (Bulbous Honey Fungus) At Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found this nice fresh clump just emerging on some mossy wood. This is perhaps the commonest species of Honey Fungus locally, separated from A. mellea (Honey fungus) by its thickened stem base which develops a yellow tinge (not yet visible here, however). Previous finds |
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October 17th Hohenbuehelia cf. atrocoerulea (a rare Oyster with no English name) In Burnham Beeches Russell Ness came across this small 'pleurotoid 'species on fallen Willow. Though superficially similar to some other small species having either no stem or an eccentric stem, this rare genus has very different microscopic features and rather gelatinous sticky texture (which enables it to trap nematodes which supply an extra source of nutrients). Russell keyed this collection out with care and found it fitted best with H. atrocoerulea despite the complete lack of blue - normally a distinctive feature. For this reason there has to be some doubt in the determination and we hope to get a sample sequenced. This is a new entry for Finds and we have just three previous county records. |
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October 17th Arrhenia obscurata (Dark Navel) In a mossy roadside bank in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder spotted this special little species which is new to the county. It keyed out comfortably leaving little doubt over its identity in Jesper's mind thought there appear to be just 13 UK records in FRDBI. The dingy colour, widely spaced decurrent gills together with the sunken translucent umbilicate cap seem definitive together with spore size. A nice find. |
October 16th 2024
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October 16th Pholiota adiposa (Golden Scalycap) On fallen Beech at Burnham Beeches Russell Ness found nice fresh examples of this species - a genus which has been poorly represented this season so far. The young buttons are particularly attractive and here showing the sticky surface which separates it in the field from the dry-capped and much more common P. squarrosa (Shaggy Scalycap). One should be aware that there are other very similar sticky-capped species, all of which should be checked microscopically for definitive ID, though on Beech this probably the most likely candidate. Previous finds |
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October 16th Naucoria escharoides (Ochre Aldercap) In Burnham Beeches Russell Ness, when under Alder, found these small inconspicuous LBJs and took them home to identify. Many members of this genus are host specific to Alder - one or two to Willow - and for this reason we have only a few county records of the Alder species as the tree is generally in short supply locally. This particular species is perhaps the commonest and also the palest, somewhat similar in stature and colour to Tubaria though withe very different microscopic characters. So if you encounter Alder it is well worth a close look at any LBJs found nearby! This is a new entry for Finds. |
October 15th 2024
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October 15th Russula sanguinaria Russula sanguinaria This genus has been extremely poorly represented so far this season. Jesper Launder was pleased, therefore, to find this collection under Pine at Audley Chalfont Dene retirement village. The species is host specific with Pine and the stem is characteristically cap coloured whihc helps to separate it in the field form other red-capped species. Previous finds |
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October 15th Stropharia inuncta (Smoky Roundhead) At Stampwell Farm in a grassy area Jackie Ewan noticed this rather innocuous-looking collection. This is a species which can confuse and is very different from the distinctively coloured blue-green grassland Roundheads. Its viscid surface, gills which eventually darken as the spores mature, and stem with a somewhat ephemeral ring - seen in the RH specimens here - are all good pointers to recognise in the field, though it is less common than the blue-green members of the genus. Previous finds |
October 14th 2024
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October 14th Ramariopsis kunzei (Ivory Coral) In Jordans Village Jesper Launder found this delicate branching coral in a grassy patch, recognised it as having a very different jizz from the woodland Clavulina coralloides (Crested Coral). This is an a unusual grassland species though we now have quite a few records in recent years. Previous finds |
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October 14th Crepidotus mollis Crepidotus mollis In Gerrards Cross Jim Wills noticed this beautifully formed example of a large Crepidotus which owing to its size he guessed was likely to be C. mollis. Not only does this species get much bigger that other Oysterlings but it also has an elastic cuticle so that the cap can be stretched sideways to reveal its transparent covering. This makes an easy way to identify it in the field though others in the genus always need a microscopic check to name to species. Previous finds |
October 13th 2024
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October 13th Pucciniastrum agrimoniae (a species of rust with no English name) Whilst visiting Holtspur Bank in Beaconsfield Sarah Ebdon noticed this rust affecting the leaves of Common Agrimony, then checked it at home, discovering that the rust is host specific to this plant, is quite common wherever the plant is found though is not that often recorded. We have just one previous county record from 2003, so this is anew entry for Finds. |
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October 13th Chalciporus piperatus (Peppery Bolete) This is a species Penny has been on the lookout for but not found yet this season. Here it was found at Oakley Wood, Bernwood Forest, by Phil Townsend under Birch and near to Amanita muscaria with which it appears to have a close relationship. However, both species are often found fruiting without their partner but maybe the link is ever present via their mycelium therefore hidden from sight?! Previous finds |
October 12th 2024
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October 12th Lyophyllum paelochroum (a rare Domecap with no English name) In Jordans village under Cedar Jesper Launder was intrigued by this collection which on handling started turning faintly then strongly blue before becoming almost black. This pointed to some species of genus Lyophyllum and it keyed straight out in Funga Nordica to this rare species, also included in Kibby vol 2. However, though the name is accepted in Species Fungorum it is not listed in the FRDBI dictionary, nor can Penny trace an earlier name for it. It is obviously a significant find and will be sequenced but unless someone can enlighten her Penny is at a loss as to how to record this species ............... |
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October 12th Marasmius oreades (Fairy Ring Champignon) In a meadow near Quainton Mark Harper came across this impressive partial ring and sent Penny the photos to check if he was correct in his iD. It can hardly be anything else forming this enormous ring which will no doubt have been increasing in size for years and will probably continue to do so, getting ever larger as the fungus uses up available nutrients so searched further and further afield. Sometimes these rings get so large they can be spotted from light aircraft. Previous finds |
October 11th 2024
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October 11th Coprinus comatus (Lawyer's Wig) This rather drab-looking cluster was found at Stampwell Farm by Jackie Ewan. The species tends to catch the eye when fresh, white and extremely woolly / shaggy but like many Inkcaps that stage is shortlived as the deliquescent stage sets in and can be seen just starting here with the wet black rim to the caps. Previous finds |
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October 11th Cortinarius daulnoyae (Strapping Webcap) Near Burnham Beeches under Hornbeam Jesper Launder spotted these mushrooms and as he approached he noticed a strong unpleasant chemical smell akin to that of the white smelly Tricholoma species. Thinking at first it was a Webcap in Section Telamonia he failed to key it out, then after further research tried the key for Section Phlegmacium with instant success! All features fitted, including the immature pale lilac specimen (photo 3), the somewhat contorted shape when older and of course this remarkable smell. There, however, appears to be only one previous UK record so this is a very rare species here and an exciting find. The material will be sequenced. |
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October 11th Cortinarius pilatii (Lemonbalm webcap) In Burnham Beeches Jesper Launder noticed this small LBG, under Oak and Birch which at home keyed out nicely to this species. Clearly belonging in Section Telamonia, this is one we found on our BFG visit to Hockeridge Wood just two days earlier also under Oak when it appeared to be new to the county. (How many times this happens?!) The white rim of veil around the cap edge together with silvery streaky stem and a delicate sweet smell are the key field characters. |
October 10th 2024
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October 10th Hygrocybe reidii (Honey Waxcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found several Waxcaps coming up including this one. Though similar to other small species it can be distinguished in the field by its orange tint, pale gills, and if you squash the cap a bit it has a distinct smell of honey. Previous finds |
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October 10th Hygrocybe miniata (Vermillion Waxcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found several Waxcaps coming up including this one. Though similar to other small red species it can be distinguished in the field by its dry cap and stem, the cap surface also finely squamulose with golden flecks clearly seen here. Previous finds |
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October 10th Hygrocybe glutinipes (Glutinous Waxcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found several Waxcaps coming up including this one. Though similar to other small yellow species its somewhat sticky cap and stem - especially after a rain spell - are distinctive. Previous finds |
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October 10th Entoloma porphyrophaeum (Lilac Webcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this unusual waxcap which has a subtle purplish pink tint, also rather a thick stem for the genus and the cap tends to have an umbo. Microscopic characters are also quite distinct which helps with the ID in a genus a tricky as this one. We have just a few county records and this is a new entry for Finds. |
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October 10th Xerocomellus cisalpinus (Bluefoot Bolete) In Austenwood Common under Oak with Lime nearby Jim Wills found this young bolete which when he assessed all the characters pointed him to this species though to Penny it appears more like X. pruinatus (Matt Bolete). However, Jim comments on it quickly blueing and also on the white flesh within rather than yellow, both feature favouring X. cisalpinus. This group of species are always tricky and when young look extremely similar. Previous finds |
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October 10th Podoscypha multizonata (Zoned Rosette) In Beaconsfield in the grounds of a school Jesper Launder saw this impressive beast which was over 1 ft across. However, he checked the microscopic characters to make sure because to him it appeared underdeveloped for the species, in which when fully grown this specimen will be enormous! It appears so distinctive, also from the number of UK records not that rare, but we have just two county records, both from Black Park in the early 2000s. A nice find! |
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October 10th Cortinarius subbalaustinus (Burnt Orange Webcap) In Beaconsfield in deep moss under Birch Jesper Launder found this cluster of Cortinarius which needed work at home to identify. This is an uncommon large member of Section Telamonia which associates with Birch, has a streaky hygrophanous orange cap which fades, a stem with clavate base and a sour smell. Jesper commented that it seemed to fit all details well and was a new species for him. It is also new to the county. |
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October 10th Dermoloma pseudocuneifolium (Dark Crazed Cap) In a grassy garden in Beaconsfield amongst many Parrot Waxcaps, Jesper Launder noticed this group of LBJs and suspected they were the common grassland species D. cuneifolium. Checking at home, however, he noted that the main difference between that species and this much rarer one is that D. pseudocuneifolium has mildly amyloid spores which tallied with this collection perfectly. We have just two previous county records for this species though it may well be that it is not that rare but is easily confused with the commoner species unless the spores are checked with Melzers reagent. Previous finds |
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October 10th Gymnopus obscuroides (a Toughshank with no English name) In Beaconsfield Jesper Launder noticed this rather small and dark LBJ - a species of Gymnopus, and wondered if it might be G. fuscopurpureus which turns green where treated with KOH but is otherwise very similar to G. obscuroides. At home KOH proved negative, though there is a further very similar species which we find at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens and now has been sequenced as Collybiopsis villosipes with very few UK records as yet. It would therefore be good to get a sample of this Toughshank sequenced, especially as the Collybiopsis is not included in available books such as the 4 Kibby volumes. See the Finds entry under that name for comparison. Previous finds |
October 9th 2024
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October 9th Clavaria fumosa (Smoky Spindles) At Prestwood Churchyard Sarah Ebdon found this beautiful and subtle-coloured club coming up in its usual grassy spot near a large Yew. Though not a common species it appears to be a regular at this site where Penny recalls being excited to find it for the first time 20 years ago, never having seen it before. Previous finds |
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October 9th Clavulina rugosa (Wrinkled Club) At Prestwood Churchyard this was one of several species found by Sarah Ebdon. It favours grassy woodland glades rather than pure grassland sites and here was quite near to trees. It has rather distorted uneven clubs with blunt tips sometimes diverging and grows in groups though not in tight clusters. Previous finds |
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October 9th Cystolepiota seminuda (Bearded Dapperling) Along a grassy path at Beaconsfield Golf Course Jesper Launder noticed this little group. Their small size together white free gills, grainy cap surface and a tendency for the stem to be reddish in the lower half were enought to make the ID, confirmed by checking its tiny spores. Though quite a common species this is a new entry for Finds. |
October 8th 2024
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October 8th Gymnopus confluens (Clustered Toughshank) At Turville Heath Penny found this group at the base of a Pine though the species is probably more frequent in deciduous litter where it is very common. Features to note: the crowded pale gills and reddish stem which, however, is finely furry all over - this feature helping to separate it from the similar G. erythropus which has a shiny smooth red stem though is less frequent. Previous finds |
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October 8th Peziza micropus (Pedicel Cup) In deciduous woody debris at Turville Heath Penny spotted this pale beige cup and took it home to identify. This took ten days, however, before the all-important spores were mature enough (ie having been expelled from the asci) to show their size, shape and ornamentation - all vital to keying out this genus. Previous finds |
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October 8th Macrolepiota procera (Parasol) At Turville Heath this is a very common species and is just getting under way now, found here by Penny in grassy areas near to deciduous trees. Previous finds |
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October 8th Paralepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel) At Turville Heath things are still moving pretty slowly, but Penny found typical material of this common and distinctive species in the litter under Birch. It occurs frequently under conifer as well as deciduous litter often in troupes. Previous finds |
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October 8th Entoloma serrulatum (Blue-edged Pinkgill) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this species together with some other Pinkgills in a heathy grassy area. It is one of the small blue Pinkgills (placed in Section Leptonia) which have a blue edge to the gills and also has a roughened cap surface. Though apparently one of the commonest of this group of species, we do not have that many county records. Previous finds |
October 7th 2024
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October 7th Russula sororia (Sepia Brittlegill) In Austenwood Common Jim Wills found this pale Russula under Oak with which it most commonly occurs. It is one of two very similar species, both belonging to a group of Brittlegills commonly nicknamed 'the smellies' for obvious reasons! Several in this group have an unpleasant cheesy / smelly socks smell and also look very similar being pale and also sticky in wet weather, occurring under Oak. A drop of Guaiac on the stem helps to separate these two, however: it turns deep blue within 10 seconds on R. amoenolens (Camembert Brittlegill and much the commonest of the group) but shows little if any reaction in this time on R. sororia. Jim also discussed this collection with Jesper Launder who confirmed his iD. Previous finds |
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October 7th Leucoagaricus cf. carneifolius (a rare Dapperling with no English name) In mossy grass under a large Yew at Prestwood Churchyard Penny noticed what she at first thought might be a small Agaricus - two immature frutibodies, one with ring still covering the gills, the other with ring just disrupting to reveal white crowded gills which had a faint pink glow. The caps were velvety smooth and pale grey but to her surprise a scratch to both cap and stem turned neither yellow nor pink as one would possibly expect in Agaricus. At home there was no sign of the gills becoming darker, nor was there much smell, but there was no point in attempting a spore print with such an immature specimen. So Leucoagaricus seemed the likeliest genus and the only near match seemed to be L. carneifolius, for which there are under 30 UK records, though there are a few deviations from the species description, hence the inclusion of cf in the identification. Unfortunately though a sample was sequenced the result was inconclusive as no sequence of this species exists as yet to compare it with. Previous finds |
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October 7th Entoloma sericellum (Cream Pinkgill) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny found good numbers of this pale Pinkgill coming up in the short mossy grass. Not being a particular fan of the genus she was unsure of the species but as it was fruiting so prolifically she was keen to determine it. Though many online images of the species show a pure white mushroom, she learnt that this is not necessarily the case (as the English name reflects) and it may be that many white Pinkgills are named E. sericellum in error. Anyway the micro-details and general description fitted this collection well. Surprisingly though we have many county records (which I now have some doubts about!) this has not been recorded here before. Previous finds |
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October 7th Entoloma prunuloides (Mealy Pinkgill) Having received a photo of this species just taken at Prestwood Churchyard by a non-member wanting to know what it was, Penny decided to visit herself and was suitably rewarded, finding not only this same specimen but a load of other interesting species as well. This is quite a distinctive Pinkgill with thick flesh and stem and a distinct smell of meal - quite often found in this genus. She'd found it here last year which also helped though we have only a handful of other known grassland sites for it but it is by no means rare. Previous finds |
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October 7th Hygrocybe citrinovirens (Citrine Waxcap) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny was delighted to see this unusual waxcap whic- both here and at Stowe Landscape Gardens, our only two sites for it. The conical shape together with distinctly greenish yellow colour - very different from other yellow waxcaps - were enough to confirm it, furthermore it was in the identical spot to last year! Previous finds |
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October 7th Entoloma cf. asprellum (Roughened Pinkgill) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny found these little beauties together with a range of other nice things - a treat after the recent rather disappointing weeks. These small grassland Pinkgills with blue colours belong to Section Leptonia and though there's no difficulty in placing them within this section Penny never finds them easy to identify to species! She worked hard with scope and keys, finding some conflicting descriptions which caused some doubts, but ended up with Entoloma corvinum which seemed to fit well. However, on finding that we'd no previous Bucks records she doubted her ID though this is just the sort of site where special and interesting grassland species would to be found. As it happened, Jackie Ewan came up with the same name from Stampwell Farm collections made the day before and after today's. Sequencing is now back for Penny's collection making it not E. corvinum but E. asprellum though not that close a match, hence the 'cf' above. Jackie's collection still awaits DNA results. We have just one previous county record for E. asprellum. |
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October 7th Infundibulicybe geotropa (Trooping Funnel) In longish grass on Austenwood Common Jim Wills came across this impressive display of fruitbodies, identifying them on the spot as this species. The typical rounded central bump of the caps is clearly visible here and this is a large showy species usually with tall stems which are presumably somewhat hidden from view by the grass here. The species is common in grassy glades in woodland as well as grassy areas. Previous finds |
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October 7th Cortinarius talus (Honey Webcap) Under Beech in Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder found this pair and noticed a striking smell of honey once collected. We have just three previous county records though it is described as a common species belonging to Section Phlegmacium, and though here they are immature and not yet expanded the wide stem base typical of the species at maturity is already visible. Found under Oak and Birch as well, it is the honey smell which is the key diagnostic feature. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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October 7th Gliophorus psittacinus (Parrot Waxcap) At Prestwood Churchyard this nice fresh collection was one of several waxcaps found here by Penny today. It was suitably slimy after a recent shower and the green caps and stem apices left no doubt as to its identity - one of our commonest but most pleasing grassland species to find. Previous finds |
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October 7th Lepista sordida (Sordid Blewit) In mossy grass under a large Yew at Prestwood Churchyard Penny spotted this singleton with brownish but distinctly violaceous cap, and turning it over the obvious violet gills confirmed her suspcions that it was this species - considerably smaller and thinner-fleshed than the similar L. nuda (Wood Blewit). It favours grassland habitats but can also occur in woodland grassy glades but is not a s common as the larger species. Previous finds |
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October 7th Dermoloma cuneifolium (Crazed Cap) At Prestwood Churchyard Penny found this small cluster of grey-brown little mushrooms with dry caps and pale gills; a quick sniff detected the mealy smell which confirmed the species, not at all unusual in unimproved grassland. Previous finds |
October 5th 2024
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October 5th Rhodotus palmatus (Wrinkled Peach) At Linford Wood Justin Long spotted this attractive and unusual species in two separate spots, the mature specimen being on the end of an Ash log rather than on Elm with which it traditionally associates. Since the demise of Elms in the UK this species became something of a rarity but now seems to be making a comeback with increasing reports of its occurrence on other fallen deciduous woods. In fact a week after this find of Justin's on Ash Peter Townsend reported finding it on Beech at Ragpits Reserve (photo 4). In damp conditions and when fresh and just developing it tends to have these coloured droplets, and the wrinkled surface is showing beautifully in photo 3. Previous finds |
October 4th 2024
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October 4th Clathrus archeri (Devil's Fingers) At Stampwell Farm Jackie has recently noticed countless numbers of the gelatinous 'eggs' of this extraordinary species, related to stinkhorns, and at last found one actually emerged! No longer a rarity in the county, it is another fungus apparently on the increase though with a limited number of sites where it does seem to recur once established. Certainly Stampwell Farm is a hotspot! Previous finds |
October 3rd 2024
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October 3rd Cordyceps militaris (Scarlet Caterpillarclub) At Burnham Beeches the sharp-eyed Gill Ferguson spotted a couple of these in the grass, this particular specimen being a double spike with even a third beginning to make an appearance. Underneath there will no doubt have been an unfortunate caterpillar larvae. The species is not rare but despite its bright colour is not easy to spot, often in grassy hedgerows. The photo was taken by Claire Williams. Previous finds |
October 2nd 2024
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October 2nd Cortinarius bergeronii (Chalky Webcap) Near Marlow Common under a mature Beech where this particular species has been found and sequenced several times, Penny made a deliberate stop to see if by any chance it was showing. There it was, a stunning member of Section Phlegmacium having a slimy cap but dry stem and only found in calcareous soil under Beech and occasionally Oak. She moved on rapidly but suggested that Sarah Ebdon and Stephen Plummer might like to return and take a look as well, which they did! Adding a drop of KOH to the cap turns instantly blood red as can be seen in photo 1, though this is not a unique reaction and until quite recently it was assumed it proved the species to be C. elegantissimus (Dapper Webcap). However, DNA has shown there are two extremely similar species though C. bergeronii has smaller spores and now appears to be more common. Many older records of C. elegantissimus are therefore much more likely to be this species. The photos are Sarah's. Previous finds |
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October 2nd Mallocybe cf. malenconii (a Fibrecap with no English name) Near Marlow Common under a mature Beech which regularly produces interesting species, Sarah Ebdon and Stephen Plummer noticed this small but unusual-looking Fibrecap and bravely made an attempt at identifying it - no easy task! On sending the photo to Penny she recalled collecting a Mallocybe species from this exact spot in 2021 which was sequenced - the first confirmed sequenced UK record of M. malenconii. She has little doubt that today's collection will prove to be the same but it will be dried and sequenced to make sure. This is a new entry for Finds. The photo is Stephen's. |
September 30th 2024
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September 30th Stropharia coronilla (Garland Roudhead) In a grassy part of Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan recognised this quite unusual grassland species though she'd not seen it here very frequently. It was a species Derek used to record regularly from his paddock in Oving but we have no records of it since 2011. The yellow cap and distinct grooved ring on the stem which gradually becomes coloured with the dark spores (hence the name garland) are the distinguishing field characters to look for, then confirmation from the microscopic characters is needed if in doubt. This is a new species for Finds. |
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September 30th Mycena pseudocorticola (Steely Bonnet) On a mossy Oak trunk at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan reports finding this beautiful cluster. This is now the third recent finding of a species considered rare in this area several years ago so presumably is either becoming much more prevalent or this maybe a reflecting of more people noticing it. Previous finds |
September 28th 2024
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September 28th Rugosomyces persicolor (rare Domecap with no common name) In Bradenham Churchyard Sarah Ebdon spotted this little pink beauty in the shortish grass, and checking it at home came to the conclusion that it must be this particular species on account of its decidedly strigose (hairy) stem base which according to Kibby vol 2 separates it from the common grassland species Calocybe carnea (Pink Domecap, now also moved and named Rugosomyces carneus). What Sarah didn't realise (as there's no mention in the text) is that this is a rare species with extremely few UK records as yet! So the material will be sequenced to confirm or otherwise as if proven it is clearly new to the county. |
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September 28th Inocybe calospora (Maritime Mine Fibrecap) At Turville Heath under the limes Penny found three reddish brown LBJs and guessed they were Fibrecaps but it was not until she checked one with a scope at home that she twigged what the species was. Just a quick glance is all that is needed because the spores of this species are unique and round like tiny maritime mines covered in spikes - always a thrill to discover! It is not at all common in this area and was new to the county when it turned up in Jesper Launder's garden in 2022! We also found it on our BFG visit to Rushmere Estate last year, so this is the third county record. Previous finds |
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September 28th Inocybe cf obscurobadia (a Fibrecap with no common name) At Turville Heath Penny found this small LBJ amongst the many more brightly coloured Fibrecaps coming up under the Limes. When she came to examine it at home she noticed a distinctive smell of Pelargonium which instantly alerted her to the possibility of several Fibrecaps which have that smell as they start to dry a bit. The microscopic details soon led her to this species, not a rarity though new to this site and not one she's come across for several years. This is also a new species for Finds. |
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September 28th Inocybe tyrii (a Fibrecap with no common name) At Turville Heath Penny found the white and lilac Fibrecaps coming up under the Limes in their hundreds today. She is assuming that as several lilac collections from this spot have now been confirmed with sequencing as I. tyrii (which was new to the UK from here in 2022 almost to the day!) that this is also that species. The collection will also be sequenced in due course. Previous finds |
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September 28th Cortinarius hinnuleus (Earthy Webcap) At Turville Heath Penny found a fresh collection of this quite unusual Webcap coming up in its regular spot under Lime where she's found it for the last few years. She was pleased to be able to get confirmation of her ID from Mario Tortelli the next day at Hodgemoor Wood as there are several species close to this one (all members of the notoriously tricky Section Telamonia) which also have these widely spaced gills and an earthy smell. Previous finds |
September 27th 2024
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September 27th Parasola conopilea (Conical Brittlestem) At Bittam's Wood, part of the Dancersend Reserve, Mick Jones was impressed by the sheer numbers of this species coming up in the deciduous litter and obviously triggered by the recent rains. Though now in genus Parasola and as such a member of the Inkcaps, it was (until DNA sequencing proved otherwise) in genus Psathyrella - known as the Brittlestems, thus the reason for its common name which thankfully remains unchanged! Its white stem - which is indeed brittle - and brown conical cap give it a mycenoid appearance though on the tall side for that genus, but one glance at the gills which quickly develop a dark grey-brown colour tells one this belongs to a dark-spored genus and not one related to Mycena. Previous finds |
September 26th 2024
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September 26th Schizophyllum commune (Split Gill) On a felled Oak trunk at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this species just beginning to make an appearance. The pale colour, hairy surface, halfmoon shape (rather like a hairy Crepidotus - Oysterling) and distinctive gill formation (see photo 2) make this an easy one to recognise. Photo 3 is of an immature specimen. Previous finds |
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September 26th Entoloma ameides (Bubblegum Pinkgill) In a grassy patch at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this singleton Pinkgill and took it home to work on, noting the odd smell which was not mealy as quite a few of this genus are. The microscopic characters keyed out to this quite unusual species which we don't often record. Previous finds |
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September 26th Coprinopsis pseudonivea (Aromatic Inkcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this Inkcap on a piece of dung, then retained and incubated the piece for a few days and sure enough a nice fresh fruitbody obliged (photo 3). The species is very close to the more common dung associating C. nivea (Snowy Inkcap) but has smaller spores and the characteristic thick coating of veil is not pure white but has a slightly cream pink tint as seen here. It was not known in the UK till 2006 but is now quite a common species. Previous finds |
September 25th 2024
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September 25th Suillellus queletii (Deceiving Bolete) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this impressive species where she'd found it before. It was very common last year but all boletes have been in short supply locally this autumn so far. The strongly and quickly blueing flesh when exposed to air, together with the beetroot red stem base are good clues to its identity. Previous finds |
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September 25th Psilocybe semilanceata (Magic Mushroom / Liberty Cap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found just this one fruitbody in a grassy field and from its acutely conical cap, long stem and dark gills had no doubt as to its identity. Previous finds |
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September 25th Scleroderma areolatum (Leopard Earthball) At Stampwell Farm under Oak Jackie Ewan noticed this species, recognising it from markings on the surface similar to that of a leopardskin. However, some collections are not so obviously marked and can easily be confused with the somewhat similar S. verrucosum (Scaly Earthball). In fact we regularly have debates in the field comparing the two species and many mycologists would argue that it's unsafe to decide purely from the markings without recourse to a scope to compare the spores. Previous finds |
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September 25th Hygrocybe chlorophana (Golden Waxcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this bright mushroom in a grassy area - one she knows well from this site and often finds. When small it can be tricky to distinguish from other yellow waxcaps but when full size it is bigger than the other lookalikes. If in doubt a scope is needed to check the length of the gill trama - much longer in this species than many others. Previous finds |
September 24th 2024
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September 24th Lacrymaria lacrymabunda (Weeping Widow) At Rushmere Estate a few days earlier Stephen Plummer noticed a small cluster of brown-capped mushrooms just emerging in a grassy path edge though with no gills showing as yet (photo 1). He was stumped and showed a specimen to Penny the next day who suspected it might be a species of Cortinarius (Webcap) but suggested he return to the spot in the hope of some further developed examples. This he did today when all was revealed! The gills, now just visible, made it obvious this was no Cortinarius as they were far too dark, and their telltale purplish black colour with tears of moisture droplets on the edge left no doubt as to its identity (photo 2). This is a fairly nondescript common brown mushroom which can confuse (as we found!). Another feature to note, besides the distinctive gills and its preference for grassy soil, is the fluffy ring on the stem which can sometimes leave ragged remnants on the cap margin as well.The species is often to be found in churchyards around the gravestones though there is nothing sinister to be read into this association! Previous finds |
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September 24th Neobulgaria pura (Beech Jellydisc) At Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer notices these nice fresh specimens on a fallen Beech trunk. When pale like this there should be no danger of confusing the species with Ascocoryne sarcoides (Purple Jellydisc) which is smaller, darker and more squiggly(!) though the two can often be found quite close together. Previous finds |
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September 24th Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca (False Chanterelle) At Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer found this species whilst under Pine. It tends to favour conifer woodland but can also occur in deciduous woods. Noting the sharp edged gills seen here should prevent any confusion with Cantharellus cibarius (Chanterelle) which has much broader 'foldlike' gills, though both species do have a similar colour and general shape. Previous finds |
September 23rd 2024
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September 23rd Porpolomopsis calyptriformis (Pink Waxcap) In Prestwood churchyard Sarah Ebdon was rewarded by finding this beauty. Previously in genus Hygrocybe, a more apt English name is Ballerina, especially as there are now other pink waxcaps, but we'll stay with the official name for now! This species is always considered one of the jewels in the waxcap crown and is not that common though we're lucky enough to have several sites for it in the south of the county. A couple of weeks later when Penny visited this great little grassland site this delightful species was still fruiting (photo 2) Previous finds |
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September 23rd Hygrocybe conica (Blackening Waxcap) In Prestwood churchyard Sarah Ebdon found several waxcaps which she thought were probably H. conica though the typical blackening was hardly apparent. However, after scratching the stem and waiting 30 minutes (photo 2) it became obvious that her first thoughts were correct. This is quite a variable species, known to be a complex, so no doubt will in time be further split up. Previous finds |
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September 23rd Clavaria fragilis (White Spindles) In Prestwood churchyard Sarah Ebdon found several grassland species beginning to appear, this being one of them. It is not that common but quite often found at this site - one of our best for such species - and can be recognised by its habit of growing in loose clusters and lack of a separate stem beneath the club-shaped top section. The spore shape and size is also a useful confirmation, differing from other possibly similar species. Previous finds |
September 20th 2024
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September 20th Baeospora myosura (Conifercone Cap) In Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer noticed this Pine cone nicely adorned with this little 'mycenoid' species. Apart from always growing on cones, its main distinguishing feature is the extremely crowded and rather shallow gills, and it typically has rather a strigose stem base - very pronounced in this example. It is quite common wherever Pines occur. Previous finds |
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September 20th Lyophyllum decastes (Clustered Domecap) In Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer found this nice clump in mixed litter, checked its identity at home then showed the collection to Penny and Derek for confirmation. This is a fairly common but nondescript species of woodland paths, quite flexible in texture, its most distinctive characters being its fasciculate habit (ie with stems often conjoining as in Hypholoma fasciculare) and contrasting dark cap with pale gills. Previous finds |
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September 20th Pluteus umbrosus (Velvet Shield) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly found this Pluteus on a felled deciduous trunk. This is one of two species which have a dark gill edge but is distinct in having a finely velvet cap surface which is also on the stem. The other much rarer species, P. atromarginatus, is normally a conifer associate and lacks this cap surface and has a streaky fibrillose stem. The microscopic features are also very different and the safest way to separate the two if in doubt. Previous finds |
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September 20th Phaeolus schweinitzii (Dyer's Mazegill) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly came across this impressive species at the base of a Pine. When fresh and young it appears soft and ochre yellowish with rounded edges though as it expands it hardens with darker reds and browns, becoming large dinner plate size. As the name implies, it has been used as a dye for material and wool in the past and is still used in this way by enthusiasts. It is always associated with conifers, growing on the roots usually quite near to the trunk. Previous finds |
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September 20th Volvariella bombycina (Silky Rosegill) On a fallen deciduous trunk in Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly spotted this unusual species. The easiest way to describe it is very similar to a species of Pluteus - ie on wood, with pink free crowded gills - but with one clear difference: it has a Grisette-like volva at the stem base. This feature can be fragile and sometimes easily lost leaving the ID in doubt, but the cream cap colour together with fine silky hairs should be sufficient to alert one to its identity. Previous finds |
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September 20th Tricholomopsis rutilans (Plums and Custard) On a hurried visit to Penn Street Churchyard Claire Williams spotted what she assumed was possibly a Waxcap in the grass though near Pine, and sent her photos to Penny for a second opinion. However, Penny is naming this Plums and Custard (hopefully correctly!) and guesses that it was growing on submerged Pine wood or roots. The jizz just doesn't look right for a Waxcap despite the bright colours and apparent grassy habitat, also zooming in (photo 3) the typical mottled cap colours of the species become much more obvious. Previous finds |
September 13th 2024
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September 13th Scleroderma bovista (Potato Earthball) Under Oak at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found these small Earthballs, much smoother and usually with a less distinct stem compared to both S. verrucosum and S. areolatum. Jackie commented that the outer surface turned red on damaging though Penny finds this is not that useful a pointer to species as both the other two species can also react in that way. The microscopic differences – both spore ornamentation and presence of clamps - are definitive for this species, however. It certainly has a resemblance to a potato which also helps! Photo 2 shows a remarkable sprouting of fine 'hairs' which developed after the specimen had been retained in a pot for a few days! Previous finds |
September 12th 2024
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September 12th Marasmiellus vaillantii (Goblet Parachute) In Salden Wood Bob Simpson found these tiny white mushrooms on a piece of woody debris and was intrigued by the unusual and almost petal-like appearance of the cap! At home he wondered if it could be this species but sent his photos to Penny who'd also not seen it with caps like this. However the microscopic features fitted fine as did its size and general appearance apart from the extra mini-caps in the middle! Misformed caps do occur from time to time in many species, however. This is quite a common mushroom found often in clusters or loose groups on woody debris and dead vegetation. It was also found three days later on our walk at Wotton Park Estate. Do not confuse with the much more common and superficially similar Marasmius rotula (Collared Parachute) which, however, has an entirely different gill attachment. Previous finds |
September 11th 2024
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September11th Gymnopilus dilepis (Magenta Rustgill) In a large pile of well rotted woodchip at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan watched good numbers of this species developing over a few days and eventually realised what the species must be. This is an unusual Rustgill which first made an appearance in the UK in 1995, probably introduced on some imported woodchip, and by the time we first found it in Bucks (at Stoke Common) in 2010 there were about 30 UK records, all from the south of England. Though still uncommon, when it fruits it seems to appear in large numbers as seen here, and this was also the case at Stoke Common and at our only other site when found in Naphill Common in 2022. This is a distinctive species with an unusual magenta cap colour (not unlike that of Tricholomopsis rutilans - Plums and Custard) when it first appears though it becomes mush rustier as it matures. Usually recorded on conifer woodchip, Jackie reports that it was on the chips of a mix of different deciduous woods here. Previous finds |
September 10th 2024
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September 10th Clavulinopsis corniculata (Meadow Coral) In Lacey Green churchyard Sarah Ebdon found this coral growing in shortish grass. It is usually possible to name this one in the field owing to its branching clustered habit and small size compared to other similar yellow species which are either individual clubs or if clustered then not branching in this way. Previous finds |
September 9th 2024
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September 9th Gymnopus dryophilus (Russet Toughshank) In Austenwood Common Jim Wills came across this group in Oak litter, recognised the genus and whittled it down to either G. dryophilus or G. erythropus (Redleg Toughshank). When the caps are faded these two can look quite similar superficially but the stem features are quite different, the latter having a distinctly red stem (not at all orange) which is shiny and smooth as opposed to the more or less concolorous stem of G. dryophilus though it can become quite faded like the cap too. G. dryophilus is one of our commonest mushrooms in woodlandglades. Previous finds |
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September 9th Scleroderma verrucosum (Scaly Earthball) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan reports a few things beginning to appear now. This is one of them, though both Jackie and Penny initially mistook this Earthball for S. citrinum owing to its dirty yellowish appearance. However, a few days later when it had developed a distinct stem and aged a bit (see photo 3) Jackie realised it was not that species but in fact S. verrucosum! It just goes to show how easy it is make make incorrect assumptions even over common species ....... Previous finds |
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September 9th Gymnopus ocior (Spring Toughshank) This is another early season regular fruiter at Stampwell Farm, found by Jackie. We've had a couple of collections confirmed with sequencing because it is easy to confuse with the much more common G. dryophilus (Russet Toughshank) which despite its English name is usually less conspicuously russet than G. ocior! Previous finds |
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September 9th Clitopilus prunulus (The Miller) At Stampwell Farm this species is a regular early season mushroom coming up in grassland and grassy pathsides. It has a mealy smell (of rancid flour) and decurrent gills which turn pink as they mature. Previous finds |
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September 9th Protostropharia semiglobata (Dung Roundhead) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this singleton on some dung. This common grazed grassland species was previously in genus Stropharia though at least its English name remains constant to lesson the confusion when this happens. Previous finds |
September 8th 2024
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September 8th Conocybe aurea (a rare Conecap with no English name) In Gerrards Cross in a patch of recently laid turf Jesper Launder noticed good numbers of this LBJ coming up. He took a sample home to work on and keyed it out very convincingly to this species for which there appear to be extremely few UK records. For this reason we sent a sample for sequencing with the result that Jesper's ID has now been confirmed. This is new to the county with only 9 FRDBI records, and is also a new entry for Finds. |
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September 8th Panaeolus semiovatus (Egghead Mottlegill) Whilst biking in Bradenham Wood Claire Williams nearly went over this piece of dung but happened to notice the fungi growing out of it as she rode past! Stopping to take a closer look, she noted the slimy stem which had just faint signs of ring remnants (hardly visible here) together with the typical campanulate cap and although the gills were still somewhat pale for this dark-sored genus she correctly identified the species which is not uncommon but always on dung or remains of dung. Often after heavy rain species normally seen with a ring on the stem when young will lose it, causing confusion when it is missing. Previous finds |
September 7th 2024
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September 7th Suillellus queletii (Deceiving Bolete) In Little Chalfont Jesper launder came across about 20 fruitbodies of this impressive mushroom under deciduous trees a sure sign that the autumn season is at last on its way. This species appears to be becoming more common in our area though it may be that we are now more skilled at recognising it from the other similar lookalikes with reddish pores and blueing flesh. The tapering almost rooting stem base which shows beetroot red flesh are the pointers to distinguish it. Previous finds |
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September 7th Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol) Near Chalfont St Peter Jesper Launder spotted this Parasol just visible above the vegetation in a roadside verge. The white stem with lack of any brown snakeskin markings confirmed it as this species rather than the true Parasol - compare with the Parasol entry two days earlier. Previous finds |
September 6th 2024
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September 6th Melanoleuca verrucipes (Warty Cavalier) In some woodchip at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan was initially stumped by this cluster of an unusual white mushroom and emailed Penny for suggetions. As soon as she mentioned the presence of black scaly markings as in the genus Leccinum on the white stem, Penny was able to point her in the right direction. This is a common feature in Leccinum, helping to separate it from other Bolete genera, but is very unusual in any other genera and notably a good way of distinguishing this particular member of an otherwise rather nondescript genus. We have just three other county sites where it's been found, one of them earlier this year in Stoke Common - not far from Stampwell Farm as the kite flies. Previous finds |
September 5th 2024
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September 5th Pluteus cervinus (Deer Shield) On woodchip at Turville Heath Penny found this nibbled singleton and confirmed her ID turning it over to see the free gills which were, however, still white rather than pink (though they were suitably pink by the next morning). The next day she received Jackie Ewan's photos of the same species also found on woodchip at Stampwell Farm. Note the different shades of brown between the two collections - this common species is quite variable and can be surprisingly dark brown and though often on fallen branches is just as happy in deciduous woodchip where it is often much bigger than when on wood. Previous finds |
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September 5th Pluteus salicinus (Willow Shield) On a chunk of bare wood from a large fallen Lime at Turville Heath Penny spotted this singleton Pluteus, recognising the species from the grey cap with no hint of brown as in P. cervinus. Turning it over the gills were suitably free and turning pink, confirming the genus. The species is not rare though much less common that P. cervinus, also usually smaller than that species. It is just as likely to be found on deciduous woods other than Willow despite its misleading English name. Previous finds |
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September 5th Macrolepiota konradii (a Parasol with no English name) At Turville Heath Penny was not surprised to come across several examples of this species which seems to be very common here in the grassy undergrowth under both Birch and Oak. The brown snakeskin stem markings (photos 2 and 3) instantly eliminate the very similar genus Chlorophyllum, though deciding whether this was M. procera (Parasol) or even M. mastoidea (Slender Parasol) can be tricky. The cap scales (photo 1) are clearly not abundant enough for M. procera in Penny's opinion therefore pointing to M. konradii, but this species is regularly synonymised with M. mastoidea which however has a prominant central nipple (not seen here). Despite no separation between these two species appears to be confirmed with sequencing as yet, Penny is still of the opinion that there is a distinct difference in jizz (general appearance) between the two! Time will tell. Previous finds |
September 3rd 2024
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September 3rd Russula parazurea (Powdery Brittlegill) In Austenwood Common under Oak Jim Wills found this singleton green Brittlegill and correctly identified it noting the various clues. It is one of several green species (though can sometimes be much browner, like the colour of the cap centre seen here) and the salmon reaction when rubbed with a crystal of iron salts, also the cream gills, quickly eliminated both R. heterophylla and R. cyanoxantha. Other possible contenders were R. grisea and R. ionochlora, but its occurrence under Oak (its preferred host) together with blue-green rather than violet-pink flesh revealed by peeling the cuticle pointed to R. parazurea. Furthermore, the dull pruinose cap surface (as if with a bloom like a grape) confirmed it. Previous finds |
September 2nd 2024
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September 2nd Caloboletus cf. radicans (Rooting Bolete) In Salden Wood under Oak Bob Simpson found three specimens of this unusual and substantial species, though we are in doubt as to whether it is C. radicans because we now know there is another very similar but much rarer species, C. kluzakii (no English name) which is tricky to tell apart without recourse to DNA sequencing. It was first recorded in the UK in 2020 and we already have one confirmed Bucks collection; it is possible that this might be the second as it does appear to have a slight red flush at the stem base which is apparently one of the differences. For now we'll list it as C. radicans and once sequenced we'll up date this entry. Previous finds |
August 31st 2024
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August 31st Coprinopsis lagopus (Haresfoot Inkcap) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this patch of nice fresh Inkcaps coming up in some woodchip. The English name refers to the species when at this attractive immature furry stage though it only takes a day or so before the fruitbodies look very different (as seen in the two lower fruitbodies with stems which have rather collapsed). Previous finds |
August 27th 2024
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August 27th Claviceps purpurea (Ergot) At Dancersend Neil Fletcher found this unusual ascomycete which grows on the heads of grasses including Rye, forming a dark hard sclerotia (seen here). This is a dangerously toxic species and in past centuries was responsible for many deaths but nowadays all grain seed is treated thus removing the threat to both humans and livestock. It has also been used medicinally but owing to the dangerous side effects this practice has been discontinued. We have about 16 county records with several from this site. Previous finds |
August 26th 2024
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August 26th Phallus impudicus (Stinkhorn) In Bottom Wood (near Piddington) John Catterson commented that he could smell a stinkhorn nearby, and Lesley then looked around to locate it! John's photo clearly shows the species at its smelliest with lots of the olive green gleba visible and attracting the hungry flies! The 'egg' from which it has emerged is also nicely visible here. Previous finds |
August 20th 2024
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August 20th Meripilus giganteus (Giant Polypore) In Tinkers Wood John Catterson noticed this charismatic species just beginning to spread at the base of an unidentified rotten trunk (likeliest to be Beech). When at full size there's no mistaking this bracket but when young like this it could possibly be confused with Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods) which as chance would have it was found yesterday (see entry below) giving an opportunity to compare the two. If in doubt, break a piece off and keep an eye on it for half an hour; if the Giant it will gradually blacken where bruised, if the Hen it won't! Photo 2 is of another immature collection found by Greg Douglas on Beech in Captain's Wood Chesham a couple of weeks later. Previous finds |
August 19th 2024
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August 19th Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods) In Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Gill Ferguson spotted this stunning fungus at the bottom of a trunk (but was so busy admiring it that she didn't notice the host tree!). It is a distinctive tiered bracket fungus, not that common and usually at the base of either Oak or Beech. New to the site, we have quite a few records though Penny's not seen it since the earlier Finds entry in 2020. See comments on that entry for a bit more information. Previous finds |
August 17th 2024
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August 17th Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom ) In Tinkers Wood John Catterson found this nice cluster on an Oak log. Sure signs that thing fungal re at last starting to move again! Previous finds |
August 15th 2024
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August 15th Fistulina hepatica (Beefsteak Fungus) In Pullingshill Wood Stephen Plummer found this attractive bracket on fallen Oak and sent his photos (1-3) to Penny for confirmation as this was young material and not yet showing the exterior blood red signs which give the species away. Photo 4 was sent in by Gill Ferguson from Burnham Beeches two days later with no doubt about the typical bloody signs here! This is about the time to be looking out for this charismatic bracket which is soft in texture and often to be found on standing or fallen Oak. Previous finds |
August 14th 2024
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August 14th Gymnopus fusipes (Spindle Toughshank) In woodland near Chalfont St. Peter Jim Wills noticed this clustered species at the base of an Oak trunk. Though a common species and often an early fruiter, nothing has been very common so far this summer so finding anything worthy of a photo has been a challenge. Photo 2 shows its typical tapering stem base, often conjoined to its neighbour in this species and a useful clue, together with its flexible rubbery general texture, to its identity if in any doubt. Previous finds |
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August 14th Amanita rubescens (Blusher) In Naphill Common John Catterson was pleased to find this distinctive species in good condition and showing all its characters nicely. This is often an early fruiter but when there is little fungi about for hungry mammals to nibble at it is unusual to find either an Amanita or even a Brittlegill with so little damage. Note the pink blushing visible on the stem, also the ring, the swollen base and the veil remnants on the cap - all sure signs of this common species Previous finds |
August 12th 2024
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August 12th Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball) On Goldhill Common under Oak and Birch Jim Wills found this species fruiting in good numbers. The tough scaly surface together with its thick skin and almost black interior when sliced open (when an unpleasant rubbery smell is apparent) help to separate it from other species of Earthball. Previous finds |
August 9th 2024
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August 9th Hemileccinum impolitum (Iodine Bolete) In a roadside verge under Oak in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found this smart pair of boletes despite the area being very dry. On picking one the strong smell of iodoform was immediately apparent (Jesper described them as reeking!) leaving him in no doubt as to the species, this confirmed with one press of the pores which then failed to show any sign of blueing. This is a large chunky solid species with a preference for sandy calcareous soils under Oak and should present no problems to identify if the smell and lack of blueing on the pores are noticed. Previous finds |
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August 9th Battarrea phalloides (Sandy Stiltball) In Fulmer Jesper Launder was both astonished and delighted to spot a group of these rare and strange looking fungi in a dry grassy roadside bank near some Leylandii. Related to the gasteroid (stomach) fungi, the species is on the Red Data List and as such protected by law (thus should not be picked). Jesper reports that there were three fresh stalks about 10 cm tall amongst some 6 or 7 much older dilapidated specimens - probably left from last year. The species is woody and tough, also somewhat unpredictable where it fruits, but does seem to like banks with sandy soil near conifer and has now been found several times in the county, always in urban areas. This is the second find of the year and we now have four similar sites for it in Bucks, so rather like the equally strange and also gasteroid species Clathrus ruber it does seem to be on the increase. Climate change? Previous finds |
July 30th 2024
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July 30th Suillellus luridus (Lurid Bolete) In a roadside verge in Chalfont St. Peter Jim Wills came across a group of ten boletes fruiting in soil under Lime, his photo 1 is of a conjoined pair. The colour of the pores and bluing flesh when exposed to air quickly limited the possibilities so he took one home to work out which of the three likeliest candidates it was. The impressive and prominent network (see photo 2) covering the entire stem eliminated Neoboletus luridiformis (Scarletina Bolete) - by far the commonest of our red-pored boletes, and also pointed to S. luridiformis rather than S. queletii (Deceiving Bolete) - another contender which also has a network but it is less well defined and tends to be only in the lower stem. Jim placed a drop of Melzer's reagent on the lower stem flesh (see photo 3) which turned deep blue further confirming it was one of these two species (N. luridiformis flesh turns dirty brown ie a negative reaction). Both species are positive with Melzers and have some beetroot red colour in the lower stem flesh but this is much more marked in B. queletii which furthermore has an abruptly tapering and rooting stem base - not seen here. B. queletii is the rarer of the two species but was much in evidence last summer in our area. So both are well worth looking out for now. Incidentally, photo 4 is a good example of how to separate the genus Xerocomellus from other bolete genera: when the tubes (under the cap flesh) are pulled apart the individual tubes remain intact in all boletes except Xerocomellus where they rupture. Previous finds |
July 19th 2024
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July 19th Taphrina alni (Alder Tongue) On the dead (female) cones of an Italian Alder in Salden Wood Bob Simpson had noticed the 'tongues' of this unusual species emerging last year (and which are apparently still there). So he'd been keeping an eye out for their reappearance this year and noticed them a few days ago. The fungus is a pathogen which induces these long lasting galls on Alder, and what we see is apparently deformed plant material with the asci of the fungus contained within. Green at first, the tongues turn red as here (hence its English name) then yellowish and eventually black and gnarled. By no means rare, the species is apparently becoming much more common in the UK though this is a new record for the county. |
July 13th 2024
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July 13th Agrocybe rivulosa (Wrinkled Fieldcap) On a path covered in old woodchips in Austenwood, Chalfont St. Peter, Jim Wills spotted several clumps of mushrooms obviously triggered into action after the recent rains. Described as an alien species which arrived here 20 years ago, probably on imported woodchip, it has spread rapidly and is now relatively common, favouring well rotted woodchip piles. Typical of the genus it has a pale cap not unlike Agaricus, fruits mainly in summer, has deep brown spores and a marked ring on the stem which hangs down (pendant - see photo 3). The cap soon develops deep wrinkles or fissures (see photo 2). Similar is Cyclocybe cylindracea - previously in Agrocybe and also found on woodchip. They can be separated by smell - farinaceous in today's species but aromatic in C. cylindracea, also with microscopy - the spores of today's species having a notably larger germ pore. Previous finds |
July 5th 2024
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July 5th Polyporus tuberaster (Tuberous Polypore) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly noticed this quite distinctive Polypore with cap similar to a smaller version of P. squamosum (Dryad's Saddle) with very widely spaced pores underneath which appear slightly decurrent. Not surprisingly the cap is somewhat nibbled – woodland fungi favoured my small mammals are in short supply at the moment so are very likely to be gratefully munched at any opportunity! Though by no means rare this appears to be a new entry for Finds. |
July 1st 2024
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July 1st Melanogaster ambiguus (Stinking Slime Truffle) In Beaconsfield Jesper Launder went searching for truffle 'dig holes' in a spot under Lime and Oak where he'd had success a few weeks back. Finding one with some truffly scraps he investigated more closely and was instantly hit by the most repellent vile smell he described as of landfill gases! The remains of the specimen were not in the best condition (obviously fully mature!) and were black and sticky within. He knew at this moment it had to be M. ambiguus but bothered to check the spores later at home to confirm. We have just two previous county records from 2007 found not far way in H. Wycombe and Jesper says he's only found it previously in a Manchester park. |
June 24th 2024
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June 24th Hesperomyces harmoniae (a recently described ascomycete ectoparasite) Sarah Ebdon collected a ladybird in Princes Risborough and took it home to identify, noticing that some tiny yellowish fungal spikes were beginning to appear out of its back. With the help of Stephen Plummer, the ladybird was identified as Harmonia axyridis (Harlequin Ladybird), and she noted that by the next day the fungal spikes were increasing (photos 2 & 3). Intrigued by this somewhat gruesome development, she determined to identify the fungus if possible. Derek was able to point her to a useful paper online, and this led her to a more recent paper describing this new species separated from the Hesperomyces species complex known to parasitise many Ladybird species almost worldwide. The species is host specific to the Harlequin Ladybird and though this appears to be new to the UK (ie is not yet included in FRDBI or CBIB) the 2022 paper quotes a sequenced collection from Oxfordshire (2011). However, this is such an exciting find with excellent observation and detective work that it surely deserves a blue box - denoting new to the UK. After all, it is the first identified collection since the official publication of the species. It is hoped that a sample will be dried and sequenced. Congratulations to Sarah! Sarah took the final three photos a week later having been incubating the ladybird in her fridge and feeding it aphids. Meanwhile it produced literally hundreds of eggs! |
June 22nd 2024
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June 22nd Mycena vitilis (Snapping Bonnet) Mushrooms of any sort have been thin on the ground in recent weeks. This small singleton was found at Stampwell Farm by Jackie Ewan, attached to an Oak twig amongst grass. One of our commonest Bonnets often found in autumn, this is only the second time it's been noticed in June - all other records are from September onwards. Previous finds |
June 21st 2024
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June 21st Pluteus phlebophorus (Wrinkled Shield) In Naphill Common Sarah Ebdon was pleased to find these mushrooms on very well decayed Beech. Recognising the genus from the pink free gills and occurrence on wood, she keyed it out at home finding that all microscopic details fitted as well as the typically wrinkled cap. Despite the distinctive cap markings a scope is always need to confirm the ID because there are other Pluteus species which can have wrinkled caps. Comparing Sarah's photo with previous entries, this is by far the most wrinkled of the lot! Previous finds |
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June 21st Neoerysiphe geranii ( a powdery mildew with no English name) In Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer found this unusual powdery mildew on Meadow Cranesbill. This not surprisingly is new to the county as very few mycologists in this area have specialised in observing and identifying this large group of fungi. There are not many FRDBI records either, and this is a new entry for Finds. |
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June 21st Puccinia circaeae (Enchanters' Nightshade Rust) In Rushmere Estate Stephen Plummer noticed these blemishes on the leaves of Enchanters' Nightshade. We have just 5 previous county records though none since 2009, but this is a very common rust and one easily identifiable from the host plant. This is a new entry for Finds. |
June 19th 2024
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June 19th Hydnotrya tulasnei (Red Fold Truffle) Jesper Launder visited his new-found truffle site in Little Chalfont and was rewarded yet again. Under a massive Oak he noted that three different truffle species he'd already recorded here were still fruiting, but a fourth was new and an exciting find for him - only the third time he'd found it. H. tulasnei is rare and is one of four species within this ascomycete genus, new to Bucks and with under 50 FRDBI records - none since 2016, the previous 5 all from Scotland with the last English record back in 2008. Jesper reports that he's now found 5 different truffle species under this tree in the space of a few weeks - remarkable. |
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June 19th Russula cerea (a truffle with no common name) No, this photos is not misnamed! This very rare truffle was previously in genus Gymnomyces but transferred to the mushroom genus Russula owing to its DNA showing a direct microscopic link with that genus. It was found by Jesper Launder under an Oak in Jordan's Village which he's named his 'truffle tree' from past experience and where he found this species new to the county two years ago almost to the day. He reports that no truffle hound was needed to locate this one which was fully mature and detected today by the distinct and powerful 'aroma of heavenly fermented apple' - his words! Previous finds |
June 18th 2024
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June 18th Gymnosporangium cornutum (Rowan Crown) Sarah Ebdon has been making something of a study of this genus recently, identifying various different species, though this one had been eluding her. She suspected she'd found it at Burnham Beeches on Juniper at the earlier 'telial' stage though it was dried up and shrivelled to nothing! So today she returned to look for the next 'aecial' stage which occurs (only) on Rowan. She was rewarded, finding plenty of examples displaying the typical curved 'horns' which give rise to its English name. The species is common in Scotland but much less so in England, in fact this is our first BFG database record though it has apparently been recorded at Burnham Beeches before. This find was a case of perseverance rewarded and is a new entry for Finds. |
June 16th 2024
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June 16th Stemonitopsis typhina (a slime mould with no English name) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly found this tiny patch of mini loofahs on rotten wood. Each stalk and head is up to 5mm tall at most, the species recognisable at this immature stage by the shiny coating on the stalk (see other images for more detailed view of this feature). This collection will soon have turned first pink then rusty orange and finally black - the colour of the spores at maturity. The species is quite common but easily overlooked for obvious reasons. Previous finds |
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June 16th Fuligo septica var. flava (Dog's vomit) In Bernwood Forest Chris Grimbly's attention was drawn to this bright patch of colour on the woodland floor. One of our commonest slime moulds, it is often to be seen on fallen rotting wood, eventually fading as it dries off and turning a dirty grey as the spore mass ripens ready for natural dispersal. Previous finds |
June 12th 2024
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June 12th Puccinia buxi (Box Rust) Sarah Ebdon paid a visit to the Great Kimble Box woodland - one of few such woodlands in the country - with the express purpose of finding this rust species which is apparently rare in the Netherlands but which seems to have a good number of UK records though none from Bucks till now. The Rust - in all its stages - occurs only on mature Box trees and therefore appears not to be a threat to young garden plants. |
June 11th 2024
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June 11th Hemileccinum impolitum (Iodine Bolete) Under Oak in Beaconsfield Jesper Launder found this unusual Bolete and though still immature it was evident to which species it belonged. The reason for the link to the genus Leccinum in its name is the slight network on the stem - not visible here due to its immaturity. It also notably has pale yellow pores which don't turn blue when pressed, and when fresh a distinct smell of iodine at the stem base when first collected. It has a preference for Oak in sandy or chalky soils. Previous finds |
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June 11th Suillus grevillei (Larch Bolete) Under Larch in a private garden in Beaconsfield Jesper Launder spotted this pair of Boletes - this is a common species which quite often fruits early in the season and is host specific to Larch unlike most others in this genus which associate only with Pine. It has the typical sticky cap of the genus, also like a few others a ring on the stem when young though it often quickly disappears. There are a few other Suillus species which associate with Larch but are considerably rarer. Previous finds |
June 10th 2024
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June 10th Hymenogaster luteus (Yellow Nut Truffle) Jesper Launder and Sarah Ebdon returned to the Little Chalfont site where he'd discovered good numbers of various truffle species under Oak and Birch just a couple of days previously. This time they found yet another unusual species, one found just once previously in the county by truffle expert Carol Hobart in Derek's Whitchurch garden in 2011! It is recognised by its pale gleba (inner surface - phpto 2) and distinctive spores. There are only 14 records for the species in FRDBI reflecting its rarity. |
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June 10th Russula insignis (A Brittlegill with no English name) Under Oak at Stoke Common Jesper Launder found this pair of immature Brittlegills, suspecting at the time that it would turn out to be this species - an unusual member of the group affectionately known as 'the smellies', most of which favour Oak, and this one separated from others by the presence of veil when young and detected by a drop of KOH which turns instantly red when placed on the stem base (photo 2). Previous finds |
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June 10th Ustilago striiformis (a species of Stripe Smut) In Gerrards Cross Common Jesper Launder spotted this species on the patches of Holcus mollis (Mollie's Hairy Knees) - such a great English name! In fact the 'hairy knees' referred to are clearly visible at the bottom of his photo! This Smut is a complex of species which will no doubt in time be split according to its host as it can occur on various different grasses. Previous finds |
June 8th 2024
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June 8th Tuber maculatum (a rare ascomycete tuber with no English name) Jesper Launder was after pastures new to continue his truffle hunt and struck lucky in Little Chalfont - an area apparently virtually completely unrecorded for fungi. Under a non-native Birch he examined about 20 dig holes and in two of them was delighted to find this collection - a rare species, new to him and to the county with under 30 records in FRDBI. Though superficially similar to other such truffles, it is mainly down to microscopic details, particularly the spore size and ornamentation, which allows a secure ID to be made. |
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June 8th Humaria hemisphaerica (Glazed Cup) Under Oak in Little Chalfont whilst searching for truffles Jesper Launder spotted these tiny cups. Not a rare species but certainly a beautiful one with its off-white smooth inner surface and brown hairy outer surface. It remains well under 1 cm across so is easily missed and favours damps woody debris, sometimes occuring in clusters. Previous finds |
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June 8th Neoboletus xanthopus (a rare Bolete with no English name) In Little Chalfont whilst searching for truffles Jesper Launder noticed this Bolete coming up around the periphery of a large Oak. This species is closely related to N. luridiformis (Scarletina Bolete) and possibly previously what was known as var. discolor, the apparent difference from the type species being the yellow tints in the top section of stem - hence the species name meaning yellow foot. Compared to the similar Suillellus luridus, neither of these two Neoboletus species have a raised network on the stem, also a drop of Melzers reagent on the stem flesh turns blue in S. luridus but has no reaction in Neoboletus. We have only Jesper's two records last year for this species with only three records on FRDBI. Today's collection will be sequenced. Previous finds |
June 7th 2024
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June 7th Hydnocystis bombycina (a rare ascomycete truffle with no English name) In Beaconsfield Jesper Launder was delighted with this find - a species he's long been on the lookout for. Under Lime and Oak he found the remains of three tiny truffles in an animal's 'dig hole', and though expecting to discover they were Tuber rufum - a species he quite often finds when truffle-hunting - a scope revealed they were the rarely recorded H. bombycystis (previously in genus Stephensia) with only 12 records in FRDBI, the most recent being from 2008 in Worcs. No, they weren't in the greatest nick as can be seen but there was sufficient material to allow a firm ID to be made. This was indeed an exciting find. |
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June 7th Suillellus luridus (Lurid Bolete) Under Birch along a roadside verge in Beaconsfield Jesper Launder spotted this Bolete, and upon examining it was not surprised to find it was this species - one which he's noticed tends to fruit earlier than others belonging the Bolete genera. All the distinguishing features of the species are visible here: palish cap, pores with an orange tinge, stem with a clear network and beetroot red flesh at the base, flesh quickly blueing above this when exposed to air. The species seems to be becoming more common; it occurs in mixed broadleaf woodland and also with Helianthemum (Rock Rose) where no trees are present. Previous finds |
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June 7th Pseudosperma rimosum complex (Split Fibrecap) Under Beech in the Beaconsfield Services (!) Jesper Launder found this group of Inocybaceae species - the genus Inocybe now confusingly split into 4 different genera - and took it home to work on. It keyed out to P. obsoletum - one of several species belonging to the 'rimosum' complex having pretty well identical micro features and varying little in field characters, hence being tricky to identify with any certainty. P. obsoletum is characterised by having a pale cap with veil (though that feature, missing here, may have been removed by recent rain?). Penny feels that Jesper's hunch that this collection is the rare P. obsoletum could be correct but that it could just as easily be the much more common P. rimosum, hence its naming here. Hopefully sequencing will confirm its true identity. Previous finds |
June 5th 2024
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June 5th Elaphomyces muricatus (Marbled False Truffle) Under Lime and Oak at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Jesper Launder was looking for 'dig holes' and uncovered good numbers of this truffle-like ascomycete which he found new to the county in Jordans Village last year and also at this site though under Birch. He reports that at least half the holes he found today had specimens still in them, presumably indicating that whatever had made the holes (squirrels or mice) were disturbed before they were able to claim their prize! Previous finds |
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June 5th Candolleomyces candolleanus (Pale Brittlestem) This was the only fungus found by Penny at Rushbeds Wood, lurking in woody undergrowth beside a path. Previously in genus Psathyrella, it is often one of the first common autumn fungi to appear so no surprise that it should be fruiting now. Brittlestems have dark spores which do not colour the gills until mature - as seen here - and nearly always need confirmation with a scope though this particular species has not only a very pale cap throughout life but also has bits of straggly veil attached to the cap edge especially when young, also just visible here. In Kibby vol 3 there's mention of a very similar but rare species which has a ring on the stem - worth keeping an eye out for ............... Previous finds |
June 4th 2024
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June 4th Fuligo septica var. flava (Dog's Vomit) In Hodgemoor Wood on an old rotting log Audrey McDade noticed this vivid patch and sent her photo to Penny for identification. This is one of our commonest slime moulds and favours damp fallen bare wood which is in plentiful supply at this site. Previous finds |
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June 4th Melanogaster broomeanus (a truffle-like fungus with no common name) Under Hornbeam in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder was looking for 'dig holes' and found one with some soggy remnants of this species, recognising the distinct smell of ripe pears! Searching further nearby revealed these two specimens just under the surface of the soil. He found the species new to the county in a different location in July last year. Previous finds |
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June 4th Puccinia coronata (Crown Rust) At Pulpit Hill Sarah Ebdon noticed these blotches on the leaves of Purging Buckthorn and later was able to make her ID. This rust species needs two different unrelated hosts to complete its life cycle, the asexual stage being on various grasses including Oats on which it causes serious problems worldwide, and the sexual stage being on various species of Buckthorn. We have just a handful of county records though only two this century, one of which was on Buckthorn as here. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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June 4th Melampsora hypericorum (Tutsan Rust) On the leaves of Hairy St. John's Wort at Grangelands, Pulpit Hill, Sarah Ebdon noticed the telltale spots of a rust species. Later at home she was able to identify it as this apparently common rust, easy to identify if you know your plants! It is host specific to this genus though is apparently more common on the Shrubby St. John's Wort - also known as Tutson, hence the common name here. We have just two previous county records and this is a new entry for Finds. |
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June 4th Gymnosporangium clavariiforme (Tongues of Fire) Having found examples of this unusual genus of rust the previous week (see the May 29th entry), Sarah Ebdon went searching at Grangelands, Pulpit Hill, to clarify her discoveries knowing that G. clavariiforme had been recorded here before. This site has both Juniper and Hawthorn - the two host trees needed for the species to thrive - in close proximity, and she was quickly rewarded with good examples on the Hawthorn leaves. We have just 4 previous county sites where it's been found previously, the majority from Grangelands as here. Previous finds |
June 3rd 2024
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June 3rd Puccinia malvacearum (Mallow Rust) Sarah Ebdon has been busy with her Rust book yet again! This particular species occurs on leaves and petioles of the Mallow family and is really common on Hollyhock - in fact it's tricky to find a plant without it! However, we shamefully appear to have no records for it till now though there are well over 1000 on FRDBI. |
June 1st 2024
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June 1st Cantharellus pallens (Frosted Chanterelle) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder continues to find interesting and rare species, this one his latest under Oak. There are in fact 7 different species looking very similar to our familiar C. cibarius (Chanterelle), all of which have remarkably similar micro-features, therefore making careful field observations becomes critical in their ID. Today's species is clearly one of the palest, more buff-pinkish than apricot and having a whitish pruinose 'bloom' on the cap surface, furthermore it bruises slowly brassy rust where damaged - as does the similar C. ferruginascens which, however, is more conventionally pale apricot in colour. This is new to the county with only 17 FRDBI records and a sample will be sequenced to confirm as there is some overlap of characters known, making ID somewhat tricky. |
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June 1st Agaricus augustus (The Prince) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found this impressive true Mushroom in grass under Fir(though it can occur near deciduous trees also). Though not particularly common, it is one of our larger Mushroom species, densely covered in fine scales, with a large floppy ring on the stem (just visible here) and a pleasant smell of almonds or aniseed - depending on your nose! Amongst our records we have several from June and July though today's is the earliest record. Previous finds |
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June 1st Tuber aestivum (Summer Truffle) Under Oak in a private garden in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder was investigating various 'dig holes' made by foraging animals and was rewarded with this beautiful specimen. This is an Ascomycete truffle and probably quite common locally, though still with only a few county records owing to the lack of 'know how' amongst us mycologists - something we really should work to rectify! Previous finds |
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June 1st Agrocybe praecox (Spring Fieldcap) This rather atypical example was the only mushroom Penny could find at Turville Heath today - surprising after all the recent rain. It was in some freshly chipped fallen Lime. She was confused over its identity by the fact that there was no sign of a ring on the stem (which was admittedly somewhat damaged) which at first eliminated A. praecox from her list of possibles, but sporeprint colour together with the distinctive large utriform gill cells amongst other signs left little doubt. One text mentions that a ring is not always present and that the cap can become wrinkled and faded as seen here. Previous finds |
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June 1st Ganoderma australe (Southern Bracket) At Turville Heath on one of the Lime trunks Penny checked out this display of brackets which she'd noticed here last August. It was clearly active again with a deposit of chocolate spores adorning the surrounding area. She collected a suitably coated piece of debris to take home and check that the spores matched her ID - this is the best method to use thus leaving the fruiting body undamaged, also the safest way to separate G. australe from its lookalike G. applanatum. (There is ongoing confusion as to whether the correct name for this common bracket is G. australe or G. adspersum but for now we follow Species Fungorum in continuing with the former.) Previous finds |
May 31st 2024
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May 31st Balsamia vulgaris (a rare Ascomycete truffle with no common name Whilst searching for little animals' 'dig holes' under an Oak in Gerrards Cross known to Jesper Launder for truffles in previous years, he struck lucky with this one, a species new to him and with only 8 records in FRDBI - none since 2010. Recognising the genus (he's an experienced truffle hunter) he worked carefully on it at home, comparing the micro-details with those of the much more common and very similar B. platyspora, before making his ID. As this is new to the county a sample will be sequenced to confirm further. |
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May 31st Rickenella fibula (Orange Mosscap) This attractive little Mycenoid mushroom was found by Jackie Ewan at Stampwell Farm growing in mossy grass. It can also occur on fallen wood but only if it is moss-covered - the moss being essential for this species. To separate it from the quite similar Mycena acicula (Orange Bonnet) note both the clearly decurrent gills and stem concolorous with cap, not yellow as in the Mycena which favours woody debris and is often much smaller too. Previous finds |
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May 31st Panaeolina foenisecii (Brown Mottlegill) In grass at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan recognised these LBJs which are popping up on lawns everywhere at the moment encouraged by the damp conditions. It is somewhat similar to another common LBJ Tubaria furfuracea (Scurfy Twiglet) though their habitat is different: soil in grass for today's species as opposed to woody debris for the Twiglet which can, however be found in grassy areas on occasion just to confuse. The Mottlegill has a hygrophanous cap (seen clearly here) and - as it says on the tin - the gills are mottled by the darker brown spores (not so clearly seen here!). Previous finds |
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May 31st Psathyrella spadiceogrisea (Spring Brittlestem) In a grassy path edge at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found these very pale Brittlestems, their ID later confirmed at home with a scope. The cap colour in this genus is often hygrophanous (ie tends to fade) as here, especially if found in areas exposed to sunlight (not that we've seen much of that lately!), and we have two other examples of this springtime species found in March this year. It's not too early now for another lookalike Brittlestem which favours grassy path edges, P. candolleana - now in genus Candolleomyces (Pale Brittlestem), furthermore the genus Agrocybe is also somewhat similar (see the A. praecox entry found above just a day later), so a scope is often essential for a reliable ID. |(The sharp eyed amongst you will notice the tiny brown capped Panaeolina foenisecii also in Jackie's photo.) Previous finds |
May 29th 2024
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May 29th Gymnosporangium confusum (a rust with no common name) A few weeks earlier Sarah Ebdon noticed an early stage of this unusual species of rust on Hawthorn leaves in Hazlemere but was uncertain of a species ID - it being too immature. Returning today she found it at the aecial stage and the microscopy then pointed to G. confusum though she was not entirely convinced until finding yet another very similar species of Gymnosporangium at Pulpit Hill (see the G. clavariiforme entry on June 6th). Now able to compare the microscopy of these two, she can confirm this as G. confusum (its species name possibly reflecting its easy confusion with the commoner G. clavariforme). Both species need the same two host trees to complete their annual life cycle: first Juniper followed by Hawthorn. As she was unaware of any Juniper nearby today, Sarah then discovered that the hosts do not necessarily need to be close together though it no doubt helps if they are. This is a new record for the county. |
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May 29th Phragmidium sanguisorbae (Salad Burnet Rust) At Homefield Wood Sarah Ebdon (whilst on her knees to photo an orchid!) spotted this rust affecting both leaves and stems of Salad Burnet. It is host specific to this plant, furthermore - unusual for a rust - uses only this host through its life cycle rather than needing at least one different host for its various stages. This is a common species though often overlooked for obvious reasons. It is a new entry for Finds. |
May 27th 2024
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May 27th Gymnopus dryophilus (Russet Toughshank) In a grassy paddock at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan spotted an early fruiting specimen of this very common mushroom - one that quite often appears in summer and earlier than other members of this genus, heralding the onset of the autumn season. It's still a bit early for that now, however! Previous finds |
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May 27th Melanoleuca verrucipes (Warty Cavalier) In leaf litter in a roadside verge opposite Stoke Common Jesper Launder was pleased to find this quite rare species - one that was new to him in this part of the world. For a member of a genus known to be somewhat nondescript and not eye-catching, this particular Cavalier is a distinctive one with its white cap and stem which is covered in tiny black pock marks similar to those on the stems of the genus Leccinum. Under a scope the genus has ornamented amyloid spores (those which turn black when iodine is added) and interesting cystidia on the gill edge also. We have only two other county sites where this particular species has been found, and often it has rather a short stocky stem so today's collection is bucking that trend somewhat! Previous finds |
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May 27th Microbotryum lichnidis-dioicae (White Campion Anther Smut) In Chalfont Park (Chalfont St. Peter), Jesper Launder spotted this species of Smut which commonly affects the flowers of White Campion at this time of year. Though not that unusual, the species was new to our county list last year when entered into Finds, though this maybe because it's been previously recorded under a different name which Penny has not managed to uncover. Previous finds |
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May 27th Microbotryum silenes-dioicae (Red Campion Anther Smut A few feet away from the entry above in Chalfont Park (Chalfont St. Peter), Jesper Launder spotted this species of Smut which affects the flowers of Red Campion at this time of year. Though not that unusual, the species appears to be new to our county list but this maybe because it's been previously recorded under a different name which Penny has not managed to uncover. |
May 26th 2024
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May 26th Boletus reticulatus (Summer Bolete) In Gerrards Cross under deciduous trees Jesper Launder found this substantial Bolete and recognised it from (a) its early fruiting time - a previous name was B. aestivalis indicating summertime) and (b) its marked reticulation (network) covering much of the stem. Closely related to B. edulis, it is much less common with a more southern UK distribution. Previous finds |
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May 26th Bovista plumbea (Grey Puffball) In a grassy area in Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder spotted this early fruiting Bovista and took it home to work on. The spores of many of this genus are ornamented and have a long 'pedicel' (tassel) attached, and unlike the Lycoperdon Puffballs they tend to detach when mature and are blown about in the wind and at that stage are easier to determine. When young as here it is not so easy but Jesper was confident having examined the spores. Previous finds |
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May 26th Parasola auricoma (Goldenhaired Parachute) On his allotment in Walters Ash Neil Fletcher found this attractive cluster of Parachutes fruiting in some woodchip. Checking in his handbook at home he concluded that this must be P. auricoma, then asked Penny for an opinion. Her answer: "Well it could be - especially as the caps were an inch across which is a bit big to the other contenders - but not necessarily!" What his handbook didn't have space to explain was that there are a handful of other lookalike Parachutes which could occur on this substrate, and it's only possible to be certain of separating them with a scope - in this case not at Neil's disposal. So this id must remain questionable but his photos show a very nice collection. Previous finds |
May 25th 2024
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May 25th Pluteus cervinus (Deer Shield) In Tinkers Wood John Catterson noticed this singleton on fallen deciduous wood - a common species in autumn though our welcome warm spell had somewhat abruptly brought much fungal fruiting to a standstill. It is often the case, however, that species occurring on fallen wood are less affected by warm dry conditions that those occurring in litter or soil, proven by John's find today. Previous finds |
May 24h 2024
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May 24th Russula sanguinaria (Bloody Brittlegill) In a church yard in Gerrards Cross under Pine Jesper Launder spotted this lone Russula which, though not in the best nick and having been well nibbled, was easily identifiable from its typical cap colour, white gills, pink stem and occurring under Pine. Though in some areas of the country considered a very common species wherever this tree is planted, this is not born out by our county records which number just two! In fact several fairly ordinary Brittlegills which occur only under Pine are notable by their scarcity in Bucks. So today's find was doubly unusual as May is not the month one would expect to come across this genus. Previous finds |
May 16th 2024
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May 16th Coleroa robertiani (a plant pathogen with no common name) Not all species of fungi we mark with a green box (indicating few county records) are rarities! Sarah Ebdon, who found this species in her back garden having just read about it in her book, says it is 'super common'! As with many of this type of fungi, if you know your plants it becomes much easier to identify the fungus on them - many of which are host specific. This one was on Herb Robert, one of the commonest members of the Geranium family, though it can occur on other geranium species. It is a new entry for Finds. |
May 11th 2024
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May 11th Lycogala terrestre (Wolf's Milk) In Penn Wood on an old rotting log Audrey McDade found these brightly coloured blobs and sent her photo to Penny for ID. This is one of our commonest slime moulds and favours damp fallen bare wood which is in plentiful supply at this site. Previous finds |
May 9th 2024
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May 9th Puccinia urticata (Nettle Clustercup Rust) A week ago in Naphill Sarah Ebdon noticed this very common rust on nettle leaves in its early stages (photo 1), then returned today to take photo 2 when it had fully developed. (She reports it was a painful experience but worth it!). We have only four county records - this a reflection of the lack of recording of rusts amongst our group as it is another very common species. Previous finds |
May 8th 2024
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May 8th Tricholoma inocybeoides (a rare species of Knight with no English name) Whilst visiting South Buck Golf Course (Chalfont St. Peter), Jesper Launder found this unusual white species which he likened to a white Inocybe (Fibre Cap) on collection. However, white spores and an unpleasant earthy smell soon put him onto genus Tricholoma though the lack of Birch, Beech and Oak eliminated the three likely white-capped candidates. This then led him to the possibility of T. inocybeoides, close to both T. scalpturatum and T. argyraceum, though he was somewhat doubtful, so a sample was sent for sequencing. Eventually the result gratifyingly confirmed his ID! This is new to the county and to Finds. |
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May 8th Tricholoma scalpturatum (Yellowing Knight) Under Birch in a roadside verge in Stoke Poges Jesper Launder noticed two instances of this species - quite common in autumn not unusual as early as this in the year. One of quite a few dirty white to greyish members of this genus, it is paler than most and when old tends to develop yellow patches around the cap rim and gills - not seen here. it is one that has a farinaceous (musty floury) smell. Previous finds |
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May 8th Uromyces betae (Beet Rust) In Stoke Poges Jesper Launder noticed a nice specimen of the plant Beta vulgaris (Sea Beet - photo 1), then on closer inspection found the plant pathogen which attacks it, considered a pest in commercial Beet crops as well. Though not rare - there are abound 40 FRDBI national records - this is a new entry for Finds. |
May 7th 2024
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May 7th Psathyrella clivensis (a Brittlestem with no English name) On the Grangelands at Pulpit Hill both Penny and Jesper Launder found a few examples of this LBJ, guessed it was probably a Psathyrella, and keyed it out independently to this species - very satisfying! It is small for the genus and occurs only in calcareous grassland sites and is not very common. We have just two previous county records and this is a new entry for Finds. (Photos 1 and 2 are Penny's, photo 3 is Jesper's.) |
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May 7th Hygrocybe calciphila (Limestone Waxcap) On the Grangelands at Pulpit Hill Jesper Launder found this little collection of a small but bright waxcap and was hopeful that it would check out to be this unusual species. It is very similar - and in fact closely related - to H. miniata (Vermillion Waxcap) but is restricted to calcareous grassland sites such as this and also has differently shapes spores. Like the species below, it tends to fruit earlier than most other waxcaps though May is still fairly exceptional! We have records from a just few other county sites which have similar chalky conditions. Previous finds |
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May 7th Hygrocybe acutoconica (Persistent Waxcap) On the Grangelands at Pulpit Hill Penny found this singleton waxcap, one better known by its previous name H. persistens. It is often one of the first waxcaps to appear in the year (though this year has been exceptional with several very early fruitings of waxcaps). It is not unlike H. conica (Blackening Waxcap) sharing its yellow colour and conical shape but doesn't blacken. Surprisingly this is a new entry for Finds. (The photos are Jesper Launder's.) Previous finds |
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May 7th Pyronema domesticum (an ascomycete with no English name) On an old bonfire site on the Grangelands at Pulpit Hill Sarah Ebdon noticed these salmon patches amongst the remnants of burnt wood. This is one of several similar species - bonfire sites are always worth a quick check for fungi of all sorts which specialise in this habitat - and the spore size and shape here determined her ID. Though not rare we have only one previous county records. The species favours fairly fresh burnt sites and can also occur in buildings on damp plaster, burnt or sterilised soil. This is a new entry for Finds though we have an entry for one other very similar Pyronema species. |
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May 7th Trechispora farinacea (a corticioid with no English name) On some rotten deciduous wood at Pulpit Hill Jesper Launder noticed this patch of corticioid and was able to identify it later - the species has very distinctive spiny spores which helps to put one on the right path by eliminating many other possible similar species. Though a new entry for Finds this is a common species and we have records from quite a few different county sites. |
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May 7th Botryobasidium aureum (Golden Crust) On a rotten log at Pulpit Hill Jesper Launder found this corticioid species, checking the microscopy later at home. Though a very common species (hence the reason it now has an English name - unusual for a corticioid) this appears to be a new entry for Finds. |
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May 7th Parasola leiocephala (Bald Inkcap) In a grass verge in High Wycombe John Catterson spotted this perfectly formed little Inkcap, one of several lookalike Parasola species which can only safely be separated by their spore shape and size. This he checked and sent the spore details + photos to Penny who confirmed his ID. Gone are the days when any Parasola growing in grass is automatically named P. plicatilis - thought to be very common but in fact probably less common than today's species which also occurs along woodland paths. This is a new entry for Finds. |
May 5th 2024
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May 5th Puccinia caricina (Ribes Clustercup Rust) In Naphill Sarah Ebdon noticed this rust on the leaves of Carex (Pendulous Sedge) leaves. Though we have only a handful of county records, this plant pathogen is apparently very common and - at different stages of its life cycle - is found on Gooseberry amongst a range of other hosts (hence its reference to this fruit in its English name). No doubt a species complex, the various varieties will at some stage be sorted out and separated into full species. This is a new entry for Finds |
May 3rd 2024
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May 3rd Taphrina crataegi (a species of Tongue with no common name) Sarah Ebdon has clearly got the bit between her teeth now she has a specialist book on Rusts and the like! Here's another one she's tracked down on Hawthorn leaves which causes these yellowish to purplish red gall blisters at this time of year. This is a new species for the county, no doubt one of many - not necessarily rare - which will now be found now we have someone out there looking for such species with dedication. |
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May 3rd Galerina calyptrata (Veiled Bell) In a damp mossy patch at Burnham Beeches Jesper Launder noticed this little cluster, recognised the genus and took a specimen home to work on - always necessary with this genus which has many members, most of which look just like this! The microscopic characters were distinctive and led him straight to a couplet in the key with two similar species difficult to split.He plumped for the rare G. cerina but when dried and sequenced it was confirmed as G. calyptrata, the alternative in the couplet! Not so rare but still a nice find with only one previous county record. This a new entry for Finds. |
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May 3rd Inocybe lacera (Torn Fibrecap) In Burnham Beeches (possibly under under Oak) Jesper Launder found this singleton Fibrecap and noticing the distinctly scaly cap surface wondered if it was this species which we'd found just last week at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens. So later checking the unusual spore shape - more or less unique to this particular Fibrecap - was enough to confirm its ID. The species prefers acidic soils such as found in this area and can be particularly prolific at Stoke Common where we have records through from May to November. See further comments in our one previous entry. Previous finds |
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May 3rd Taphrina pruni (Pocket Plum) In a roadside verge near Hedgerley Jesper Launder spotted a Blackthorn bush with young sloes showing the typical elongated shape they develop when infected by this fungal pathogen (photo 1), and on closer inspection found an example of the further developed fungus (photo 2). Usually appearing in June, this species affects not only Blackthorn but can devastate Plum trees and is considered a difficult pest to get rid of - so not one you want to find in your garden if you have a plum tree! Previous finds |
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May 3rd Chlorophyllum brunneum (Brown Parasol) In a roadside verge near Hedgerley Jesper Launder spotted these young mushrooms in conifer litter. He recognised the species from its distinct brown scales - large even at this immature stage - which contrast with the white flesh beneath, also the signs of brown on the underside of the stem ring and the beginnings of it bruising orange where he handled the stem whilst turning one over. We have only two previous county records though no doubt many collections have been misidentified in the past as the very common and very similar C. rhacodes. See further comments in our two previous entries Previous finds |
May 2nd 2024
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May 2nd Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken of the Woods) On our Burnham Beeches walk several week earlier this bracket was spotted on a bare standing dead Beech but in its very early stages (see Penny's report for April 17th for Claire's photo). What an amazing change in appearance in just a few weeks! Sarah Ebdon's photo here shows the same specimen in all its glory with the typical tiers showing sulphur yellow pores underneath and orange tints above. Photo 2 shows another small bracket just forming elsewhere on the same trunk. This has to be one of our most stunning and distinctive bracket species, is often around in early summer and can be found on a variety of different trees including Cherry and Yew. Photo 3 is also Sarah's of a similarly impressive showing but found a week later in Priestfield Arboretum on White Walnut / Butternut which seems to be an extremely unusual host tree for the species. Previous finds |
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May 2nd Suillus granulatus (Weeping Bolete) Penny has been wondering when our first Bolete would turn up as so many unseasonal species have been appearing this spring. Here it is! Jesper Launder found this singleton under Pine (its host tree) in Gerrards Cross where he found also it last year in August. See the notes about the species with that entry. Previous finds |
May 1st 2024
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May 1st Entoloma conferendum (Star Pinkgill) In a grassy area at Burnham Beeches Sarah Ebdon found these LBJs and was uncertain of the genus even when she looked at the microscopy. The spores of this particular Pinkgill are amazingly star-shaped, reminiscent of the nodulose spores found in some Fibrecaps - another very tricky genus of LBJs. She smelt a rat, however when noticing that the sporeprint and gills had a pinkish tinge, and having now realised it was missing the typical Inocybe cystidia, she quickly homed in on this Pinkgill. This is one of our commonest species and once you've seen these spores it's an easy one to identify with a scope. The ID problems start when you find differently shaped spores ................ Previous finds |
April 29th 2024
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April 30th Pustula tragopogonis (a fungus belonging to the Oomycetes but with no English name) Jesper Launder went out early to Gerrards Cross in search of the flower Goat's-beard - another name for which is Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon because the flower closes by midday. He successfully found an open flower (photo 1) but noticed the plant was covered in a fungal pathogen (visible in both photos) which he was later able to track down to this species for which we have no county records (not surprisingly!). There are under 50 national records on FRDBI. |
April 30th 2024
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April 29th Mycena pelianthina (Blackedge Bonnet) In Beech litter in Chalfont St. Peter, Jesper Launder spotted this early fruiting of a Bonnet we often find in deciduous litter in autumn. Though it has a somewhat dull nondescript cap, this species is easy to recognise once you spot the obvious dark gill edge (though it's never truly black but deep purple as seen here!). It also has a sharp smell of radish as an extra clue to its identity. We have many records but extremely few earlier than August with just one in July and one in late May, so today's find is yet another example of how topsy-turvy fungal fruiting has been this spring. (Jesper apologises for his photos taken at dusk.) Previous finds |
April 28th 2024
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April 28th Puccinia festucae (a Rust with no English name) In Lacey Green Sarah Ebdon - now on the hunt for rusts which are prevalent at this time of year and with her new book to help with ID - found two different species, this one being the first and more unusual. Like many rusts it is host specific , so often if you can identify the plant you can also identify its accompanying rust, and this particular rust affects the leaves of Lonicera (Honeysuckle) though appears as yet not to have a suitable English name. Visible on both surfaces (as shown in photos 1 and 2), the underside forms the tiny orange blobs seen here which contain the spores. Apart from one record which has neither a date nor a site name though no doubt was genuine and likely to have been found during the BMS Spring Foray based at Green Park in May 2002 - we have no county records so this is a new entry for Finds. |
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April 28th Puccinia sessilis (Arum Rust) This was the second of two Rusts found by Sarah Ebdon In Lacey Green today. This one - a common species - is host specific to Arum maculatum (Lords & Ladies) and affects the leaves. The fruiting body part in photo 2 is found on the underside of the leaves but is tiny - Sarah apologises for her less than brilliant photo! Previous finds |
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April 28th Monilinia johnsonii (Haw Goblet) In Jordans Village Jesper Launder has been on the hunt for this species in its anamorph stage which affects fresh Hawthorn leaves in May / June and can be detected by crushing the leaves which produce a strong aromatic scent and which also curl up and brown as seen here. (In photo 1 it is the brown leaves which is the fungus, not the white flower buds!) He reports the smell was amazing! The 'Goblet' teliomorph stage is found on last year's old fallen Haws in March / April, forming tiny brown cups with long stems and which we have yet to record in the county. We have just two previous records of the anamorph stage made by E. Mordue - a recognised specialist in such species - at the BMS Spring Foray week held at Green Park back in May 2002. This is a new entry for Finds. |
April 26th 2024
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April 26th Hygrocybe chlorophana (Golden Waxcap) In the lawns at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Jesper launder found first one, then several more, of these stunning beauties. Penny, he and Sarah were not at all sure which of the yellow / orange species it might be; the depth of colour here made us wonder about H. quieta but it entirely lacked any typical oily smell, so we were left with the possibilities of H. chlorophana or ceracea though the general 'jizz' didn't seem quite right for either. However, at home Penny found the amazingly long gill trama (strands of hyphae) which typifies H. chlorophana and the spores size and shape matched also. This is the second spring appearance of the species within a month - amazing! (The photo is Sarah's.) Previous finds |
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April 26th Puccinia anthoxanthina (a Rust with no English name) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Jesper Launder found this rust on the leaf of Sweet Vernal Grass which Sarah Ebdon - now armed with a copy of Dutch Rust Fungi - was later able to identify. (The photo is Sarah's.) There is debate as to the correct name for this species which has previously been included as a variety of P. brachypodii, but a note written by expert Paul Cannon on his website favours following its acceptance by another author as an independent species with the name given here. Though not yet officially accepted in the UK we go with that name. There are plenty of UK records under its previous name which however includes collections made on several different plant hosts; once the name P. anthoxanthina is accepted universally it will be applicable only to collections made on Sweet Vernal Grass. Under whichever name, the species is new to the county and to Finds. |
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April 26th Uromyces muscari (Bluebell Rust) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Sarah Ebdon was on the lookout for rusts on plant leaves and quickly spotted this one showing nicely on several Bluebell leaves. Knowing your plants helps a great deal with naming rust fungi because they are very often host specific though the species name here implies a different host which is somewhat confusing! It is very possible that this particular species when found on Bluebell - probably its commonest host - will be given a different name at at some stage. Our very few county records reflect how little recording of such fairly common species in spring goes on here. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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April 26th Perenniporia fraxinea (an unusual bracket with no English name) At the base of a mature Sycamore at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny together with Sarah Ebdon and Jesper Launder spotted this huge bracket hiding behind some nettles - hence Jesper's photo from above! It was at least 40 cm across and also quite thick, absolutely hard and with a green glint in the outer section. Jesper took a small sample to check for spores which later proved his ID suggestion at the time to be correct. Though not rare, we have just 7 previous county records on a variety of different deciduous tree hosts though this is the first on Sycamore. It is commonest on Ash as its species name suggests. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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April 26th Russula grisea (False Charcoal Burner) In Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny was astounded to find two separate specimens of a Russula (Brittlegill) under Oak - in April?! She's been leading an autumn walk here for the last 15 years or so when a bothersome atypical Russula has often been present - usually recorded as R. parazurea though with some doubts. She never imagined it would show up here in April, however. Sporeprint colour amongst various other features eventually led her to this species though not quite all features were convincing, so for this reason - although it's not a rarity - this collection will be sequenced. Photo 3 shows the strong salmon pink reaction when the stem is rubbed with a crystal of Iron salts. Previous finds |
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April 26th Amanita rubescens var. annulosulphurea (Blusher) In Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Penny was surprised when she spotted this very early fruiting Amanita in grass under Lime. Thinking it was possibly A. excelsa from the brown cap colour and lack of pink in the nibbled parts, she was further surprised when turning it over revealed not only the telltale signs of pink staining thus separating it from A. excelsa but also a clearly yellowish rather than white ring - hence the varietal name here. (Sadly the yellow does not show up well in photos but her companions agreed with the ID at the time!). We have hundreds of records of the Blusher (both varieties) and glancing though them it is noticeable how the very few June records start to increase in the last 15 years when just three May records also occur (none before this). However this is a first for April! What's more, photo 3 is of the same species found by Jesper Launder in nearby Sefton Park just two days earlier. Previous finds |
April 24th 2024
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April 24th Morchella elata (Black Morel) At Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens Jesper Launder found a good fruiting of this elusive springtime genus growing in the quantites of wood chip at this site. This species probably the commonest - has a preference for conifer wood chip, often fruiting in gardens where this substrate has been imported. So do keep an eye out for it if you've used this garden product at home. Previous finds |
April 23rd 2024
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April 23rd Agaricus bitorquis (Pavement Mushroom) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder came across this singleton mushroom in a roadside verge and on turning it over was able to name the species Besides the fact that it favours urban habitats it has a very distinctive and persistent 'double' ring with a raised upper and lower edge - clearly visible in photo 3. The cap has clearly pushed its way through the soil with debris still attached and the gills are still quite pink and showing their 'free' attachment. Though not considered rare, we have just three previous county records and this is a new entry for Finds. |
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April 23rd Hypholoma fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft) On a fallen very rotten Lime trunk at Turville Heath Penny spotted three yellow rather nibbled caps. On closer inspection she recognised the species, then spotted more fruitbodies lurking inside a hollow in the trunk. Photo 2 shows how the sulphur yellow young gills soon darken to almost black as the spores mature and colour them accordingly. This is one of our commonest mushrooms growing on wood and is not that unusual to find at this time of year. Previous finds |
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April 23rd Trametes gibbosa (Lumpy Bracket) Inspired by Sarah and Jesper's recent Truffle hunting success, Penny went searching in the Lime avenue at Turville Heath but found nothing! The only fungi of interest were this cluster of brackets on an Ash stump together with the entry above. Typical of the species is the green algal coating which often forms on its bumpy upper-surface, also the mazelike under-surface - all features showing nicely in photo 2. This is a very common bracket on fallen deciduous wood. Previous finds |
April 22nd 2024
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April 22nd Balsamia platyspora (a Truffle with no common name) This species, in Jesper Launder's garden, was his fourth species of Truffle to be found under his Lime tree in the space of two days! Amazing! This is the third year running that he's found it here though this is by far the earliest date as can be seen from our previous entries. See the notes with those records for more. Photo 2 is of a further find he made on June 3rd under Hornbeam in Gerrards Cross. Previous finds |
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April 22nd Tuber aestivum (Summer Truffle) Under Lime in Hughenden Woods Sarah Ebdon discovered this somewhat early fruiting of a distinctive and quite common truffle species (genus Tuber is a member of the hypogeous ascomycetes - ie related to cup fungi but growing underground). It is certainly the truffle we have the most county records for but these still can be counted on two hands! Its black knobbly surface and marbled interior are easy to recognise and it can get to 8-9 cm across though today's was pretty tiny judging from the leaf in Sarah's photo! What a good find! Previous finds |
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April 22nd Tuber rufum (a Tuber with no English name) This was the third tuber species Jesper uncovered under the Lime in his garden in Jordans Village in the space of two days! This is one of the ascomycete hypogeous species (those related to cup fungi which grow just under the surface of the soil). Though he checked for spores to confirm his ID the specimen was still too immature to produce any, but he knows the species well and the uniform round shape together with pale colour already developing rufous tones were enough for him to make his ID. It rarely gets bigger than 2 cm across or so and the size here can be assessed by the leaf he's placed it on. We have just two previous county records though the likelihood is that this is a common species. Photo 2 is of a further sizeable collection Jesper made from under Chestnut in Gerrards Cross, June 6th, where he commented that there were many 'dig holes', half of which had specimens remaining in them - the more mature ones having their distinctive smoky aroma. Photo 3 is of a collection of remarkably large specimens he found in Little Chalfont under Oak on June 8th - the largest he's ever seen! Previous finds |
April 21st 2024
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April 21st Hymenogaster arenarius (a Tuber with no English name) This is the second of two different Tuber species Jesper Launder found lurking in the soil under a Lime tree in his Jordans Village garden - this one new to the county with only 17 FRDBI records, mostly under either Beech or Lime. Photos 2 and 3 are of a collection Jesper made under Lime and Oak in Beaconsfield, June 7th. See the notes for the entry below for a little more general information about the genus. |
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April 21st Hymenogaster tener (a Tuber with no English name) This is one of two different Tuber species Jesper Launder found lurking in the soil under a Lime tree in his Jordans Village garden. Then two days later he found this species again under Hornbeam in Gerrards Cross (photo 2).The genus which has over 30 different species - all under 2 cm across - is apparently and surprisingly related to Cortinarius (the Webcaps)! This particular species has the smallest spores and its size here can be assessed by the comparative size of the leaves in Jesper's photos. This is just our second county record (and new to Finds) with only 30 FRDBI records, though it is not considered rare. |
April 20th 2024
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April 20th Gymnopus ocior (Spring Toughshank) At Stampwell Farm this unusual Toughshank has appeared several times in the last few years and is often an early fruiter. Similar to the much more common G. dryophilus (Russet Toughshank) it has a more intensely coloured cap as can be seen here, also the gills tend to be yellow though this colour always seems reluctant to show well in photos! Jackie assures me the gills looked decidedly yellow here. We found a possible third lookalike species in the Burnham Beeches Mire on our midweek walk there a few days ago. See my report for a photo and further comment on the issues involved here. Previous finds |
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April 20th Agrocybe pediades (Common Fieldcap) At Stampwell Farm this species is a regular at this time of year, and Jackie Ewan reports that it is just starting to appear in the grassy areas. She often notes that the stem tends to have a kink, clearly visible here. The genus has spores (also gills given time) which are brown, fruits in spring and several members, like this one, tend to lose the ring on the stem quite quickly. Previous finds |
April 18th 2024
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April 18th Kuehneola uredinis (Pale Bramble Rust) At Dancersend Sarah Ebdon noticed this distinctive Rust species on living Bramble stems. This is a very common Rust affecting only Bramble and forming lines of rusty orange 'dust' along the stems in Spring. Many rusts go through two or more stages, using a different host plant for each stage, but this one stays entirely on one host plant. This appears to be a new entry for Finds. |
April 16th 2024
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April 16th Fomitopsis pinicola (Red-belted Bracket) In Gt. Beard's Wood nr Beaconsfield Sarah Ebdon came across this example of a bracket which is becoming increasingly common locally, this time found on Birch and really showing off its red outer belts to perfection. When looking as it is here it is an easy one to name, but glancing through our many other entries will show how very different in appearance it can be depending on its stage of maturity. It seems to be common on both Beech and Birch though is less frequent around here on Pine despite its Latin species name. Previous finds |
April 12th 2024
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April 12th Leucoagaricus leucothites (White Dapperling) Jim Wills noticed this impressively large pair of white mushrooms fruiting in a trough in a pub garden near Stoke Poges containing winter / spring flowers. The largest cap was 12cm across, so these were sizeable specimens! He took a spore print to make quite sure the spores were indeed white as its white gills suggested (hence pointing to genus Leucoagaricus), then checked the microscopic details which indicated it was L. leucothites or some closely related species. However, its impressively he large size pointed to the rare L. subcretaceus which would have been new to the county, so a sample was dried for sequencing. Disappointingly the result showed a perfect match for the much more common L. leucothites though this is our earliest county record by several months. Previous finds |
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April 12th Peziza petersii (a cup fungus with no common name) On some recently cleared burnt ground at Turville Heath Penny noticed a couple of dark brown cups which she guessed might be this species - one which favours bonfire sites - but having been fooled by a very similar lookalike from a different genus found on another bonfire site here just a month earlier, she took it home to check. The lookalike, Plicaria endocarpoides, has very different microcharacters, but today's matched the Peziza species fine and is one she found here last year. Previous finds |
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April 12th Scutellinia subhirtella (an Eyelash Fungus with no common name) On some recently cleared burnt ground at Turville Heath Penny noticed a few tiny bright orange red spots on some rotten wood. Sure enough on closer inspection they had dark hairs around the edge placing them in genus Scutellinia, though the hairs at first glance didn't look convincingly long enough for the common S. scutellata, also they had a slightly translucent more orange appearance. Taking note of the spore size and markings together with the length of the hairs, it keyed out in various different keys to S. subhirtella, a species for which we have a good handful of records - a couple from burnt ground. Apologies for the very ordinary photo but luckily Claire Williams's photos in Previous finds shows the species off much better. Previous finds |
April 8th 2024
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April 8th Verpa conica (Thimble Morel) Near Saunderton Sarah Ebdon spotted a likely piece of habitat for this relative of the Morels and was rewarded with a couple of specimens. The tall stem with relatively small head is not unusual with this distinctive species which here is showing nicely why its English name was chosen. The comments written for the entry below apply just as aptly for this springtime fruiter. Previous finds |
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April 8th Morcella esculenta (Morel) On a spot near Princes Risborough where she saw this species in good numbers last year, Sarah Ebdon went searching for Morels again and found just this one rather squat example. There are good years and bad years for these springtime fruiters; last year was especially good but this year seems not nearly so prolific. There's still time, however, but they remain as elusive and unpredictable as ever. Previous finds |
April 6th 2024
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April 6th Ganoderma pfeifferi (Beeswax Bracket) On a mature Beech in Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder saw this substantial bracket which from its shape, colour and pale pores which bruise brown was clearly some sort of Ganoderma. Suspecting that the cuticle on the upper surface had the waxy resinous coating which would bubble and melt if flamed, he tried this which then confirmed his ID. The cuticle of G. resinaceum also reacts in this way but in our area is more often found on Oak whereas G. pfeifferi is more often on Beech. Both species occur on mature trees but neither are very common. |
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April 6th Agaricus dulcidulus (Rosy Wood Mushroom) In Chalfont Park (Chalfont St. Peter) Jesper Launder found this singleton small purplish brown Mushroom under Cypressus. He noticed on collection that the stem was clearly yellowing where handled, then checking in Kibby vol 3 found the lilaceous colours, small size and yellowing all pointed to Agaricus purpurellus, given as close to A. dulcidulus but separate from it. However, as Species Fungorum still lists it as a synonym of A. dulcidulus we stay with that name here though suspect this may change as this is known to be a species complex still to be fully resolved. Previous finds |
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April 6th Bovistella utriformis (Mosaic Puffball) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder noticed this young puffball just emerging in the same spot where he found the species last year (though a month later). Previously in genus Calvatia (and more recently in Lycoperdon with the other better known Puffballs), the species develops only a short stout stem and can get to 15 cm across, so much bigger and squatter than other Puffballs. The English name refers to the markings left on the surface once the scales / spines seen forming here eventually wear off with age. Previous finds |
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April 6th Lentinus substrictus (Fringed Polypore) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed this brown cap appearing above the grass, then investigating further found it was growing on a branch which was completely grassed over and was not a mushroom as one might have guessed from the top view (photo 1). The cap was about 5 cm across and the pores beneath together with thin tough flesh pointed to a Polypore. The fringed edge to the cap, stem markings and tiny pores together with spore size and shape then led her to this species - better known by its previous name of Polyporus cilatus. Previous finds |
April 4th 2024
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April 4th Laccaria proxima (Scurfy Deceiver) Here's yet another surprise early fruiting! At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this pair just emerging in a grassy area and luckily checked the spores, only to find they were oval and not round, making this L. proxima rather than the much more common L. laccata, though for either species to be fruiting now is unusual. Young fresh examples of this species are virtually impossible to separate from L. laccata in the field though the stem here does appear pretty streaky and fibrous which would indicate the possibility of it being the rarer of the two. The only sure way is comparing their spore shape. Previous finds |
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April 4th Agrocybe praecox (Spring Fieldcap) In a grassy area at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan found this nice example of this seasonal grassland species, one that she regularly turns up here. Typified by its pale cap, brown gills and spores and ring on the stem usually seen as pendant, the ring here must have only just detached itself from the edge of the cap and has yet to hang down downwards. Previous finds |
April 2nd 2024
March 31st 2024
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March 31st Mitrula paludosa (Bog Beacon) This is a relatively rare springtime species which we have recorded in the Burnham Beeches Mire area several times in the last few years. Today's find was made by Barry Webb in the stream there leading from the Mire to the first pond. Previous records are mainly from May or June though last year we found it in mid April. So Barry's find here is certainly the earliest we've seen it here. Previous finds |
March 30th 2024
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March 30th Hygrocybe chlorophana (Golden Waxcap) From the grassland at Stampwell Farm comes yet another unseasonal Waxcap, found by Jackie Ewan. She at first suspected it was H. quieta (Oily Waxcap) on account of its rather orange colour and oily smell, but the microscopic characters matched H. chlorophana - which is also by far the commoner of the two species - so we have to assumed it must be that despite the uncharacteristic smell. Previous finds |
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March 30th Entyloma ficariae (a common species of Smut with no English name) At Turville Heath Penny found the Lime avenue understory covered in Lesser Celandine and it was not long before she noticed the telltale pale angular patches on many leaves made by this species of host specific smut. It is very common in spring but appears to do no permanent damage to the plant. Previous finds |
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March 30th Uromyces ficariae (Bitter Chocolate Rust) At Turville Heath Penny found this second fungal species on Lesser Celandine. This is a host specific Rust and was affecting many plants on both stems and undersides of leaves. It English name refers to a later stage of this rust which is no longer rusty but dark brown. An earlier Finds entry shows this later stage. It is very common in spring but appears to do no permanent damage to the plant. Previous finds |
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March 30th Psathyrella spadiceogrisea (Spring Brittlestem) Under the Lime avenue at Turville Heath Penny spotted one fresh brown cap amongst the litter (photo 1), then turned it over to find the typical white stem of this genus though the gills were still amazingly pale for a genus having dark brown spores (photo 2). A little further on she came across a group looking entirely different in cap colour though, knowing the caps in this genus often fades in this way, she was fairly confident these finds were all the same quite common springtime Brittlegill. A scope confirmed it. Photo 4 shows how the dark spores have now coloured the gills to match. Previous finds |
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March 30th Exidia glandulosa (Witch's Butter) At Turville Heath Penny found this well irrigated collection of jelly fungus after the recent rains. This genus quickly shrivels in dry weather but then can swell and become gelatinised when it rains, so is thriving this spring! Note the finely bobbly surface on the underside visible here, a feature which helps to eliminate other similar members of At Turville Heath Penny found this well irrigated collection of jelly fungus after the recent rains. This genus quickly shrivels in dry weather but then can swell and become gelatinised when it rains, so is thriving this spring! Note the finely bobbly surface on the underside visible here, a feature which helps to eliminate other similar members of Exidia in the field. in the field. Previous finds |
March 28th 2024
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March 28th Cystoderma amianthinum (Earthy Powdercap) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder was a bit surprised to find this grassland species fruiting in spring. Apart from one late May collection, all our many county records are from August onwards when it is not uncommon. Previous finds |
March 26th 2024
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March 26th Gliophorus psittacinus (Parrot Waxcap) If we in Finds used another colour to indicate entries of species fruiting out of season we'd have a veritable rainbow here! This is yet another that would qualify, found by Jackie Ewan at Stampwell Farm - a site now renowned for its Waxcaps, but not in March, furthermore she found Hygrocybe ceracea here a couple of week ago (see Finds March 16th). Remarkable! Previous finds |
March 24th 2024
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March 24th Calomyxa metallica (an unusual slime mould with no English name) Whilst on our BFG walk at Rushbeds Wood Barry Webb collected a slime mould unfamiliar to him and was unable to identify it later. He hung on to it and a few weeks later investigated it a bit further, putting his photos on to the slime mould facebook page for help. Back came the name from both John Holden and Edvin Johannesen (both recognised specialists) and comparing other images online etc this ID looks extremely likely. Not a rarity with over 100 FRDBI entries, it is however new to the county. |
March 22nd 2024
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March 22nd Sclerotinia trifoliorum (a rare ascomycete with no common name) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder noticed this tiny orange disc growing in soil near moss and other vegetation. He suspected it was a species of Octospora but it failed to match anything he could find, so his photos were sent to expert George Grieff who had assisted him recently. George came back with an entirely different name though said that the species does indeed look similar to Octospora but differs in having a stem which had not been obvious to Jesper in this specimen. However the microscopic details all matched. This is a plant pathogen affecting various clovers amongst other things and develops a tiny black sclerotium (like a tiny hard pea) at its base - hence the genus name. This is a new county record and there appear to be no FRDBI records as yet this century. |
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March 22nd Cortinarius vernus (Spring Webcap) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder came across this unremarkable LBJ under Birch and, recognising the genus, knew that it was likely to be something interesting if appearing at this time - very unusual for Webcaps. He keyed it out to this species, one which in fact he found here last year in May when new to the county. However, this will need sequencing to confirm his ID because there are many extremely similar species within the Telamonia section of the genus, and so many unseasonal things seem to be appearing this spring that anything is possible! Photo 3 is of another collection he made a month later under Lime at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens. Previous finds |
March 21st 2024
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March 21st Peziza fimeti (a Cup with no English name) On a dung heap near Saunderton Sarah Ebdon found this group of Cups and took one home to examine. Once armed with the spore details, following the key became quite easy owing to this specific substrate, and she then found it matched in appearance as well - very satisfying! Previously P. bovina, it is not that often recorded - around 100 records in FRDBI, the majority in springtime; our Bucks records consist of several springtime finds at Pulpit Hill in 2000 and 2002. This is a new entry for Finds. |
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March 21st Laccaria fraterna (Gumtree Deceiver) This find was another unseasonal surprise for Jesper Launder in Gerrards Cross. The two common members of genus Laccaria (Deceiver), l. laccata and L. amethystina, are so common that we tend to forget that this is one of our mycorrhizal genera (living in symbiosis with trees – in their case apparently any deciduous trees). L. fraterna grows only in association with Eucalyptus, arriving in this country with the import of that tree and as such is only to be found in its presence. The 50 odd UK records date from 1995, so it's still a rarity and new to the county though likely to be found if looked for under Eucalyptus. As can be seen, it's very similar in appearance to L. laccata (incidentally which also occurs in Eucalyptus!) but differs in having 2-spored basidia making a scope imperative for positive ID. The real surprise, however, is not finding it in the county but finding it in March! Jesper reported about 200 fruitbodies here, then found it the following day under another Eucalyptus the other side of town! |
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March 21st Gyromitra esculenta (False Morel) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found two of these beauties in Pine mulch near some Pines. This distinctive springtime species is not related to the Morels though appearing somewhat similar - hence its English name - and unlike Morels should not be eaten despite its Latin species name indicating the opposite! Our only other records come from Wavendon Heath in the north of the county so this is a nice find and should also be present on Stoke Common amongst the Pines there. Previous finds |
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March 21st Helvella acetabulum (Vinegar Cup) Jesper Launder has now found several of these springtime cups coming up in Gerrards Cross though his photo here was the earliest. As both this species and the fairly similar Disciotis venosa are likely to be around at this time, care is needed by the less experienced to separate them. The English (and Latin species) name here refers not to its smell but to its shape - similar to that of the ancient Roman or Greek cup used for vinegar. Unlike D. venosa which smells strongly of chlorine / bleach and has wrinkles / veins on the inner surface, H. acetabulum has no smell and has wrinkles / veins running up the stem and onto the outer surface. Both are relatively common in spring in grassy woodland glades / soil. Previous finds |
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March 21st Inocybe flocculosa Inocybe flocculosa In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder continues to turn up unseasonal fungi, this certainly being one. The genus is rarely reported earlier than June though Jesper did find one here in May last year. This collection was near to both Oak and Pine and is considered one of the commoner Fibrecaps, but there's a chance - once we get this collection sequenced - that it may turn out to be the extremely similar I. tigrina, the differences between the two (both macro and micro) are still unclear. If so this entry will be updated. Previous finds |
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March 21st Entoloma ventricosum (a rare Pinkgill with no English name) In a grassy area at Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan came across what at first glance might have been a Mycena (Bonnet) but turning it over and suspecting it had pink spores Jackie guessed it was a small species of Entoloma. A quick look at the spore shape under the scope confirmed this, and she then researched to come up with the name E. ventricosum. A springtime fruiter - there are several in the genus - it is characterised by widely spaced ventricose gills (those which are swollen in the middle), a brownish translucent cap having a Mycenoid appearance. This is new to the county and there are extremely few national records. The collection will be dried and sequenced. Photo 4 is of a further specimen found at the same spot two weeks later and showing off the ventricose gills particularly well. |
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March 21st Agaricus phaeolepidotus (Dusky Scaled Mushroom) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder came across this somewhat early fruiting singleton. This mushroom is not that common and related to the A. xanthodermus group (ie the Yellow Stainers), members of which have an inky smell. Though superficially easily mistaken for A. sylvaticus (Blushing Wood Mushroom), that species stains red (cap and stem) when scratched and has the typical pleasant 'mushroomy' smell whereas today's species does not redden anywhere and tends to stain yellow at the stem base (though not as strikingly as in others in this group). Previous finds |
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March 21st Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball) Yet another very unseasonal find: Jesper Launder spotted these fresh Puffballs in Gerrards Cross, showing their diagnostic warts which rub off on your finger and separate the species from the equally common but much smoother-surfaced L. perlatum (Stump Puffball). It is exceptionally early in the year to find any Puffball fruiting though it's not unusual to find last year's old dried-up fruitbodies still surviving at this time. Previous finds |
March 20th 2024
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March 20th Gliophorus reginae (Jubilee Waxcap) In Lacey Green churchyard Sarah Ebdon (who knows this species well from this site) was somewhat surprised to find a singleton up at this time. Though rare, this poorly known Waxcap - named in honour of our late Queen's jubilee - first turned up here in December 2021 and has fruited here every year since though late in the year and once into January. But March?! This is now our second Waxcap within the week, and bearing in mind the several other unseasonal recent finds it is clear that something unusual is going on at the moment presumably as a result of our mild winter / climate change? See previous notes on Finds for more about this species. Previous finds |
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March 20th Daldinia concentrica (King Alfred's Cakes) In Beaconsfield Sarah Ebdon was bowled over by this magnificent display at the base of an Ask trunk. Her apt comment to Penny: 'The day King Alfred not only burnt the cakes but added WAY too much baking soda!'. She likened it to lava bubbling out of the tree and reported that it was on all sides of the trunk as well. A common species, yes, but this is an extraordinarily massive outbreak, the largest in her and Penny's experience. But for how much longer will the species be common, bearing in mind the demise of our Ash trees upon which it depends? Time will tell. Previous finds |
March 18th 2024
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March 18th Lamprospora miniata var. ratisbonensis (a rare cup fungus with no English name) In moss in Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found about 20 of these miniscule orange hairy-edged cups and knew he'd need help with identification. He sent his macro- and microphotos - the species has beautiful round spores ornamented with a distinct reticulation - to expert George Grieff who was able not only to name the moss genus as Didymodon but also to make a likely suggestion for the fungus too. Jesper then confirmed this using various keys etc. There appear to be no records in FRDBI and this is new to the county. |
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March 18th Hebeloma mesophaeum (Veiled Poisonpie) Under Birch and Eucalyptus in Gerrards Cross, Jesper Launder was amazed to come across this genus in March - one we expect to find in the autumn. Microscopy confirmed it, however, and also enabled him to determine the species - not that rare (in the autumn) and sometimes with a two-tone cap with distinctly darker centre (as will be seen in our other previous Finds entry which was also made under Birch). However, bearing in mind the extraordinarily unseasonal date and possible association with Eucalyptus, today's collection will be sequenced. Previous finds |
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March 18th Calocybe gambosa (St. George's Mushroom) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder found a nice fresh collection of this springtime species with its typical chunky pale cap with slightly inrolled edge, thick stem and equally pale gills. One whiff of its strong farinaceous smell (mealy / of rancid flour) is all the confirmation one needs: this is pretty well the only mushroom answering to this description found at this time, so an easy one to identify. Named after its regular appearance on or around St. George's Day (April 23rd), it is common in grassy verges from April to May (or even June) and our earliest record is for March 2nd though we have almost no other March records besides today's. Previous finds |
March 17th 2024
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March 17th Disciotis venosa (Bleach Cup) In Gerrards Cross Jesper Launder noticed this singleton species fruiting in a hotel car park verge. There are several similar cup fungi which fruit in Spring, usually in April though we do have some early March records for this one which favours grassy banks. Its English name refers to its strong smell - one of the clues which help to confirm its identity. Previous finds |
March 16th 2024
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March 16th Hygrocybe ceracea (Butter Waxcap) Penny was surprised to receive details of this species from Jackie Ewan, found at Stampwell Farm in grassland. Waxcaps occur most often in latish autumn though we also have summertime records, but the earliest we have for this particular species is one doubtful record in August 20 years ago! The similar but larger H. chlorophana was found last year in May (see in Finds) which was also an exceptionally early record. Glancing through the first half of the 2500 odd national records, Penny found just a few for January - presumably late autumn season fruiters - but none from February to July. Previous finds |
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March 16th Panaeolus fimicola (Turf Mottlegill) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed an early fruiting of this species in manured grassland. Though the Latin species name suggests an association with dung, this is not necessarily the case though it often occurs on or near to dung. It is less common (or not as obvious to identify) as the Mottlegill below, usually with a shorter stem and larger cap, but to be sure a scope is needed to locate the special cells which occur on the gill face and which are not easy to find! Previous finds |
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March 16th Panaeolus acuminatus (Dewdrop Mottlegill) At Stampwell Farm Jackie Ewan noticed an early fruiting of this species in manured grassland. The 'Dewdrop' name refers to its tendency to have fine droplets - usually coloured black from fallen spores - on the upper stem; these provide a useful clue to species in the field as other similar Mottlegills lack them. This is one of our commonest grassland LBJs. Previous finds |
March 13th 2024
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March 13th Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (a Slime Mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches Barry Webb found this tiny, delicate and beautiful species on rotting Beech. It is in fact a Slime Mould on a Slime Mould because the black slimy base from which it is emerging is the plasmodium stage of Metatrichia floriformis, a species we found at this spot the previous day (see more mature examples just below). The two species together appear like an underwater marine scene! Previous finds |
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March 13th Arcyria ferruginea (a Slime Mould with no English name) The previous day a small group of us found a few fungi at Burnham Beeches, one being this Slime Mould to which Barry Webb returned today to check its identity and take his photo. This is a good example of the mature stage of the genus Arcyria (when not slimy at all!) showing in the background the fine mesh of fluffy 'elaters' which form the protective framework containing the spores which here have almost entirely blown away. Note also the now empty cups - all that is left of the entire sporangia (fruiting body) once the rest has blown away. Previous finds |
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March 13th Cephalotrichum purpureofuscum (a rare hyphomycete with no English name) In Rushmere Country Park Stephen Plummer (now a Greensand Trust volunteer) collected a Rhododendron leaf with a fungal infection he didn't recognise and took it home to work on. Hours later he'd solved the mystery by matching the microscopic details with available literature and photos online. This is a rarely recorded fungus (though not purely restricted to this host) with just 17 previous national records and is not surprisingly new to the county. In photo 2 the simply miniscule tall spike with whitish head is the fungus. |
March 12th 2024
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March 12th Cylindrobasidium laeve (Tear Dropper) At Burnham Beeches our small group found a stick coated with a pinkish brown quite thick Corticioid which we were unable to name in the field though several of us knew it was familiar. At home Claudi Soler found the telltale spores of this species which are shaped like tear drops, hence its English name. The species is very common on fallen deciduous wood. Previous finds |
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March 12th Metatrichia floriformis (a Slime Mould with no English name) At Burnham Beeches our small group found several large colonies of this distinctive and common species on fallen damp rotting deciduous trunks, showing all stages of its development from the black blobs with dark orange stalks to the mature stage with fully opened tops with fluffy orange spore masses ready to be distributed by air currents etc (photo 3). The photos are Linda Seward's. Previous finds |
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March 12th Auricularia auricula-judae (Jelly Ear) At Burnham Beeches our small group found a fresh display of this common species fruiting on fallen bare Elder - its commonest host. It is not unusual to find it on fallen Beech also, and occasionally on other deciduous woods. It is nearly always an easy fungus to recognise from its shape, colour and malleable rubbery texture when fresh, and can be found at any time of year given suitable damp conditions. The photos are Linda Seward's. Previous finds |
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March 12th Sarcoscypha austriaca (Scarlet Elfcup) At Burnham Beeches our small group of forayers were delighted when good numbers of this eye-catching cup fungus were found. The species is having a 'bumper year' this winter and spring, no doubt encouraged by the mild wet months, and has been seen in extraordinary numbers in several places. However, very surprisingly it had never been recorded here before today though this site must have one of the lengthiest species list in the county, going back over a century or more. The photos are Linda Seward's. Previous finds |
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March 12th Byssomerulius corium (Netted Crust) At Burnham Beeches our small group of forayers found a deciduous stick coated with a whitish corticioid species. Its distinctive 'merulioid' (soft, wrinkled with low ridged) surface and ease of peeling away from its substrate made it nameable in the field by several members present. This is one of our most common flat whitish fungal species on fallen wood, most of which require specialised skills plus a scope to name. The photos are Linda Seward's. Previous finds |
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March 12th Exidia thuretiana (White Brain) At Burnham Beeches Linda Seward found this thick lump of white jelly on a deciduous stick and suspected it was the somewhat translucent and common E. nucleata (Crystal Brain and now in genus Myxarium), but luckily Sarah Ebdon was at hand and recognised that from its shape, more milky appearance and more solid texture it was more likely to be the less common E. thuretiana. A scope later revealed that the spores were a much better fit for the Exidia and too large for the Myxarium; she also found that close examination revealed the absence of the telltale 'inclusions' of calcium oxelate - little hard white lumps - inside, further eliminating the Myxarium. Though not rare, this is a new entry for Finds. Photo 1 is Sarah's, photo 2 is Linda's. |
March 10th 2024
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March 10th Battarrea phalloides (Sandy Stalkball) In an urban lane near Burnham Russell Ness happened upon a rare species he'd long been hoping to see one day. This strange fungus, related to Puffballs and the like, was growing in the litter under some Cypress trees - about 11 stems were present, mostly missing their puffball tops but two were complete enough for him to photo and collect some remains which still retained some spores which he was able to examine. No doubt this collection fruited here back in the autumn and their remarkable tall woody fibrous stems enable them to survive for months afterwards. We have just two other known sites for this rare and often elusive and unpredictable species, so this was a notable find. Previous finds |
March 9th 2024
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March 9th Kretzschmaria deusta (Brittle Cinder) On a rotten unidentified stump in Tinkers Wood John Catterson noticed this Pyrenomycete fungus - common though often overlooked - showing both fresh and old specimens. In photo 1 the old black hard crusty lumps can be seen alongside the fresh softer grey patches with white edges which can be seen close up in photo 2. This is likely to have been on Beech which is its favoured host wood. (There can't be many Latin genus names which boast six consecutive consonants!) Previous finds |
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March 9th Daldinia concentrica (King Alfred's Cakes) In Tinker's Wood John Catterson found some nice examples of this very common fungus on fallen branches of Ash, with which it is host specific. Maybe in years to come this will become a rarity as our Ash trees succumb further to Ash Dieback Disease, following the same demise as Rhodotus palmatus (Wrinkled Peach) - once common when Elms were plentiful. John's photos here show both fresh (brown) and old (black) examples. Previous finds |
March 5th 2024
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March 5th Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Sheathed Woodtuft) In Wycombe Rye John Catterson noticed and recognised this tight cluster of mushrooms flourishing on an old stump. A familiar sight on fallen wood in the autumn, this clumping species is not that usual to find at this time - we have no March records though several for April and May - but here is displaying the typical fading which occurs in the cap centre, often giving a 'two-tone' effect, together with the ringed stem and pale gills visible in photo 2. Previous finds |
March 3rd 2024
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March 3rd Plicaria endocarpoides (a rare Cup Fungus with no English name) At Turville Heath Penny made sure to check out a particularly productive bonfire site, but was sad to see that it has been cleared and flattened since her last visit. (In fact much of the dead and lying wood at this site has recently been removed, more's the pity.) However, she was surprised to see in the remains of this bonfire site a whole load of 'cups' still flourishing. The majority were pale brown - see the entry below for more - but there were a few dark reddish brown cups amongst them which she guessed (incorrectly) were likely to be Peziza petersii. At home, however, a scope revealed they were not even that genus, with round spores - not ellipsoid as in Peziza. A few emails were sent asking for help, and Asco expert Paul Cannon was able to put Penny onto the possible genus which favours burnt ground, the round spores indicating this particular species. This is new to the county with under 50 records on the national database. The collection has now been confirmed with sequencing. |
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March 3rd Peziza repanda (Palamino Cup) On an old bonfire site at Turville Heath Penny found good numbers of large Cup Fungi, the majority of which were a pale brown species of Peziza (photo 1) which she collected to check later at home. Photo 2 shows this pale Peziza together with a much darker brown cup growing adjacent to it - clearly there were two different species here. See the entry above for more on the darker species. Microscopic features confirmed this pale cup was P. repanda - one which she'd found at this same spot before and which quite commonly occurs on soil or burnt ground. Photos 3 and 4 were sent in by Bob Simpson, found in soil / woody debris at Salden Wood two weeks later and keyed out with care using his scope. Previous finds |
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March 3rd Psathyrella spadiceogrisea (Spring Brittlestem) In woody litter under the Lime avenue at Turville Heath Penny was pleased to find just a fresh young singleton of this species (photos 1 and 2), but a little further on came across a small group showing the typically darker gills of the genus as the spores mature and the tendency for the cap to fade, staring from the centre. As the English name suggests, this is common in Spring though our database shows that this is one of our earliest records for it, April and May being the main months when it appears. Previous finds |
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March 3rd Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot) At Turville Heath there was very little of fungal interest about, but amongst some woody remains Penny noticed this decidious stick with the bright orange spots of this distinctive and very common species. Previous finds |
February 23rd 2024
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February 23rd Seifertia azaleae (Bud Blast) In Chalfont St. Peter Jesper Launder spotted a nice example of this common fungus which affects the buds of Rhododendron, preventing the affected bud from flowering. Previously in genus Pycnostysanus though common this is a new entry for Finds. |
February 20th 2024
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February 20th Ganoderma carnosum (a rare bracket with no common name) A friend of Sarah Ebdon's, Matt Vaughan, an arboriculturist, sent her a photo of a bracket (photo 1) found in Cublington (near Leighton Buzzard) on Feb 5th fruiting on Yew, suggesting that it might be this rare species of Ganoderma. Unfortunately there were no in-situ images taken at the time but he sent Sarah a sample which she was able to use for microscopic study and, consulting various keys etc, she was confident the ID was correct. She also sent detailed photos to tree / fungus expert David Humphries who confirmed her thoughts. This species is one of the shiny red resinous Ganoderma species which we come across far less frequently than the common and familiar G. australe and G. adspersum which lack this shiny surface. Its occurrence on conifer including Yew helps to distinguish it from the very similar G. lucidum - most often found on deciduous trees though apparently occasionally on Spruce. Of the under 50 records on the national database, all but one are on Yew and all but one Scottish record are in southern England counties. Luckily when the site was revisited today another bracket was discovered, hence photos 2 and 3.This is an exciting find and new to Bucks. (The photos are Matt Vaughan's) |
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February 20th Slime Flux (no Latin name and not fungal but an aggregation of various bacteria) In a hedge near Tinkers Wood John Catterson noticed this impressive example of what he could only think was the common Tremella mesenterica (Yellow Brain) fruiting prolifically on a stem of Old Man's Beard. He sent his photos (1 and 2) to Penny but with a query because its abundance appeared atypical and its host plant seemed strange also. With no microscopic check available, Penny also assumed it must be the Tremella but when Sarah Ebdon saw the subsequent entry in Finds she smelt a rat because this rang a bell with her. Two years previously she'd gone through this same questioning process with a similar collection which had turned out to be not fungal but a bacterial infection. She contacted John and together they returned to the spot to examine this somewhat strange and smelly growth which she then collected together with some genuine T. mesenterica nearby to facilitate a proper microscopic comparison. Conclusion: it was microscopically completely unlike anything fungal and indeed matched descriptions of Slime Flux which apparently can often attack damaged Clematis plants, especially in the Spring. Sarah's photos 3-5 show samples of Slime Flux placed adjacent to genuine much shinier T. mesenterica. We felt it was well worth including these photos in Finds as yet another example of how misleading fungal identification can be! Sarah should be congratulated on recognising this strange organism and bringing it to Penny's attention. See previous entries of Tremella mesenterica |
February 18th 2024
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February 18th Rigidoporus ulmarius (Giant Elm Bracket) On the banks of the Thames in Eton (apparently just within VC24!) Russell Ness came across this enormous and impressive bracket, about 3ft across, on a rotting stump - possibly Poplar. A passer-by informed him that it had been there for years. Once commonest on old Elm stumps (hence its species name) it can occur on several other broadleaved stumps including Poplar. There are examples online showing a coating of algi as here. This is a new entry for Finds though the species is not that uncommon. |
February 14th 2024
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February 14th Geastrum britannicum (Vaulted Earthstar) On a bank in a lane near Bourne End Derek Bourne noticed these unusual Earthstars, thought they looked interesting and was surprised to find them fruiting at this time, so sent the photo to Penny for ID etc. From his photo (photo 1) it was clear that this was no common species and close to G. pectinatum with its arched rays, distinct neck and plicate central opening (from which the spores are expelled). Noting the presence of a small but distinct collar-like structure - the apophysis - joining the central 'puffball' to its neck and clearly visible on two of the fruitbodies in photo 1, Penny made the assumption that this was likely to be the rare G. striatum, especially as she could see no sign that the base of the rays were attached to a mycelial cup. (If this cup was present, however, it would eliminate both species mentioned. Penny was acting purely on Derek's photo with no examination of the material - a dangerous thing to do, as it proved!) Ten days later Jesper Launder sent in his photos of a Geastrum he'd collected in Chalfont St. Peter and worked carefully on. Though not obvious at first, he'd found a mycelial cup present (photo 5), measured the spores which were very small for the genus, and this together with all other features led him to the even rarer G. britannicum - a species only described in 2015. Penny then started to doubt her ID of Derek's collection which appeared so similar, so asked Derek to collect another sample from the original site for proper examination. Sure enough she then was able to extricate the vital mycelial sack lurking at its base and measure the tiny spores, thus eliminating her initial ID. This was not G. striatum as shed' thought but was also G. britannicum, and as such new to the county. A sample will be sequenced to confirm. The moral of this tale: identifying purely from photos can be misleading and unsafe, emphasising the importance of microscopic examination especially where rare species are involved. |
February 10th 2024
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February 10th Hohenbuehelia mastrucata (Woolly Oyster) In Egypt Woods back in November Russell Ness found one fruitbody of this somewhat unusual pleurotoid mushroom on a huge fallen Beech at about the time that Sarah Ebdon identified and took images of a good display of it from Naphill Common. As the winter had been so mild Russell returned in February to check on it and found these fresh examples in the same spot. He comments that the Latin species name means sheepskin and that as it dries the woolly cap surface becomes much more apparent - almost like a whitish coating (seen in photo 3). Previous finds |
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February 10th Leucocybe houghtonii (Pinkgilled Funnel) In Naphill whilst searching under Cedar in the hopes of finding Cedar Cups, recently entered in Finds, Sarah Ebdon saw to her surprise not that species but two pale funnel-shaped mushrooms. These reminded her of a collection made in January 2023 which turned out to be L. houghtonii, previously in genus Clitocybe and this was later confirmed. A typical pale Funnel in many ways, the decurrent gills tend to become distinctly pinkish especially after collection as it dries (though this colour is hard to catch on camera), furthermore it also develops a smell of tomato leaves though this can be fleeting or even almost absent. Not rare, it often seems to fruit in late autumn or winter but is no doubt often overlooked as just one of the many similar pale Funnels. Previous finds |
February 9th 2024
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February 9th Venturia oleagina (a rare pathogen) Having just learned from a friend about this much under-recorded species recently found - one which occurs on Olive leaves and first recorded in the UK by Asco expert Brian Spooner in 2010 - Jesper Launder went searching on all the Olive trees he could find in Gerrards Cross. He eventually discovered it outside a restaurant! This is new to the county and the name is as yet not accepted in Species Fungorum or Index Fungorum; apparently extremely few records exist. So if you know of an Olive tree this species is well worth checking for now. |
February 8th 2024
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February 8th Helvella leucomelaena (Sooty Cup) In Gerrards Cross, having just spotted the Geopora entered below, Jesper Launder felt inspired to check the site nearby he knew for this unusual Helvella species despite it being somewhat early in the year for it. There it was under Pine as before, though last year when new to the county it was fruiting in April. See the notes of that find for further information. Previous finds |
February 6th 2024
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February 6th Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma (Black Velvet) In Hughenden Wood Sarah Ebdon noticed this black fuzzy flat patch on fallen deciduous wood, suspected she recognised it and took it home to confirm with the microscopic features. The English name here is hopefully about to be adopted onto the official list and describes one state of the species well though when mature it develops tiny bobbles (shown well in our only previous Finds entry). This is a common species, often overlooked and can be found at any time of year. (Photo 2 is Claire Williams's) Previous finds |
February 4th 2024
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February 4th Geopora sumneriana (Cedar Cup) In Gerrards Cross under a Cedar tree not previously noted for hosting this unusual 'semisubmerged' species of Cup, Jesper Launder was surprised to find it fruiting so early in the year. A few days later he checked under another Cedar in Gerrards Cross where he'd found it before and sure enough there it was. We have under 10 county records though all are from mid to late March or April, so this is one to look out for now under Cedar. Previous finds |
January 26th 2024
 Stoke Common 26.01.24 JW1.jpg "Photo by Jim Wills")
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January 26th Biscogniauxia nummularia (Beech Tarcrust) On fallen Beech at Stoke Common Jim Wills noticed these black lozenge-shaped patches which were easily recognisable as this species - given the correct host wood. Compare his photos with those of Diatrype stigma (Common Tarcrust) - very similar and also found on fallen Beech but forming much larger patches and not lozenge-shaped as here. Both species, however, are equally common despite their common names. (Incidentally the black blobs beneath were thought to be Hypoxylon fragiforme though this determination was questioned by Penny therefore not included as a separate entry in Finds for that reason.) Previous finds |
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January 26th Hypoxylon fuscum (Hazel Woodwart) In Chalfont St. Peter Jim Wills found this stick under Hazel with a good display of this very common fungus. A typical species of Hypoxylon, it is smaller than H. fragiforme (Beech Woodwart) and only occurs on Hazel, often in large colonies on dead but still attached branches. Previous finds |
January 25th 2024
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January 25th Fomitopsis pinicola (Red-belted Bracket) We have a growing number of examples of this interesting bracket which is becoming quite common, but despite its name all so far have been on Birch or Beech. Here, however, is an nice example found significantly on Pine at Burnham Beeches by Sarah Ebdon and Jesper Launder. (The photos are Sarah's). Previous finds |
January 24th 2024
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January 24th Exidia gladulosa (Witches' Butter) In Austenwood Common (nr Chalfont St. Peter) Jim Wills came across this Jelly Fungus on fallen bare deciduous wood. There being two very similar black species, he took it home and checked the spore size which confirmed his initial field ID. Both E. glandulosa and E. nigricans (previously plana) have the same slightly bumpy uneven 'warty' undersurface visible in places in both photos 2 and 3. E. glandulosa forms loose cushion-like structures (seen here) rather than the smaller more wrinkled 'brain-like' structures of E. plana (Warlock's Butter). NB Do not confuse either species with Bulgaria inquinans - similarly black and jelly-like but not in any way related) which leaves a black deposit on a finger when rubbed - not the case with Exidia. Previous finds |
January 15th 2024
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January 15th Exidiopsis effusa (Hair Ice) It's almost a year to the day when Claire Williams sent Penny her photos of this beautiful phenomenon found on fallen wood near Lane End. Suspecting the recent frosts would have triggered this to happen again, she and Sarah Ebdon returned to the site, finding it here again for the fourth year running. See last year's comments for further information. Previous finds |
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January 15th Trichaptum abietinum (Purplepore Bracket) At Stoke Common Jim Wills found this small and quite common bracket on bare felled Pine. It tends to form colonies of tight lines along the wood, becomes pale and washed out above but the pores beneath are rather jagged and irregular and distinctly violet, especially when fresh. It occurs only on conifer whereas the quite similar Chondrostereum purpureum (also violet underneath, inhabits deciduous wood. Previous finds |
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January 15th Jackrogersella multiformis (Birch Woodwart) At Stoke Common Jim Wills noticed this colony of Pyrenomycetes on felled Birch though was unsure of the species, suggesting it might be J. cohaerens. Penny, however, questioned this as his photos matched exactly her concept of J. multiformis (previously in genus Annulohypoxylon and before that in Hypoxylon). Checking a variety of sources confirmed that J. cohaerens occurs on Beech along with H. fragiforme whereas today's species is very common on Birch, occasionally on Alder. Typical is the somewhat elongated rather than round individual fruitbodies as seen here in photo 1. Previous finds |
January 14th 2024
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January 14th Didymium squamulosum (a Slime Mould with no common name) In Hodgemoor Wood Barry Webb found this attractive squat little cluster under Holly whilst searching for anything tiny and fungal etc lurking there. This is a very common species found in rotting damp leaf litter, typified by its short stout white stalk contrasting with its darker subglobose head. (Note the trail of tiny droplets adhering to the spiders web between the two central fruiting bodies!) Previous finds |
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January 14th Lentinellus ursinus (Bear Cockleshell) In North Burnham Russell Ness found this attractive cluster on a felled dead Elm trunk and identified it using various sources which entailed checking both spores and flesh which blacken strongly with Melzers reagent (photo 3) and help to separate it from other species. This is a rare mushroom though similar at first glance to Pleurotus but the sharp saw-edged gills (photo 2) immediately single it out as belonging to genus Lentinellus. We have just 4 previous county records. Previous finds |
January 13th 2024
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January 13th Tulostoma brumale (Winter Stalkball) On an arid gravel bank at Dorney Wetlands Russell Ness spotted these tiny fungi amongst moss, with 25 counted at one spot and a further 11 at another. Each 'head' is less than 1 cm across and spores are puffed out of the central opening when mature in the same way as in puffballs. The species was new to the county from Gerrards Cross in November when found by Jesper Launder, so Russell's find is our second county record. Previous finds |
January 12th 2024
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January 12th Lamproderma scintillans (a Slime Mould with no common name) In Hodgemoor Wood Barry Webb found this attractive little cluster whilst searching for anything tiny under Holly. The Holly leaf here clearly gives a good sense of perspective - the whole fruiting body being smaller than the two prickles visible either end! The species name describes well its iridescent metallic glint. Not rare, its miniscule size makes the species so easy to overlook unless you specialise in such tiny objects, as does Barry! We now have five county records. Previous finds |
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January 12th Tremella mesenterica (Yellow Brain) In Naphill Common on a fallen mossy stick (likely to be Oak) Claire Williams noticed this brightly colour jelly fungus. Often fruiting in winter, this is a common and distinctive species which is unlikely to be confused with anything else. Previous finds |
January 11th 2024
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January 11th Botryosphaeria visci (an Ascomycete with no common name) In South Burnham Russell Ness found this seldom recorded species on fallen Mistletoe under some Limes and identified it using the website Plant Parasites of Europe - the species is not included in Ellis & Ellis. He comments on the striking speckled effect and yellowing of the host and notes that he first found it here back in February 2023, also at two other sites during December 2023, pointing to the likelihood that it is not that rare but just goes unnoticed. This is a new record for the county and for Finds. |
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January 11th Calycina citrina (Lemon Disco) In Salden Wood Bob Simpson noticed this colony of tiny yellow discs on a deciduous log and sent photo 1 to Penny for identification. She emailed him a copy of the microscopic details to check but suspected it would be this very common species, better known under its previous genus name Bisporella. A day later Claire Williams found what she thought was this same species in Downley Common (photo 2 - though not checked microscopically). Two days later Bob then collected further material (photo 3) which he checked and which matched microscopically, confirming the ID. Previous finds |
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January 11th Fomitopsis pinicola (Red-belted Bracket) In Burnham Beeches Gill Ferguson noticed this species still fruiting prolifically on the same large fallen Beech trunk where we've observed it before. It certainly seems to be increasingly common at this site, occurring on both Beech and Birch despite its species name implying a preference for Pine. The photos here are Claire Williams's. Previous finds |
January 8th 2024
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January 8th Marasmius hudsonii (Holly Parachute) Barry Webb and Gill Ferguson excel at finding this beautiful but tiny little mushroom, one that only occurs on dead Holly leaves and until recent years not known in the county. It is now a regular at Hodgemoor and a couple of other sites but today's find was the first for Burnham Beeches - much to Barry's delight as he, and others, have been searching for it in vain there until now! Previous finds |
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January 8th Metatrichia floriformis (a Slime Mould with no common name) In Hodgemoor Wood Barry Webb found this little cluster under a Holly bush. Though not yet mature enough to have opened out into its typical 'floral' shape, in this form it is already recognisable with its shiny black round top and blackish stalk (officially mushrooms have stems but slime moulds have stalks!). This is one of our commonest Slime Mould species and found (if you search carefully) on fallen rotten wood and woody debris of all sorts. Previous finds |
January 4th 2024
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January 4th Melastiza cornubiensis (Orange Cup) In soil in a roadside grassy verge in Chalfont St. Peter, Jim Wills found this nice cluster of small orange cups. He noticed an initial similarity to various other genera including Scutellinia, but a scope revealed very different spores and marginal hairs much shorter than would occur in that genus. Possibly better known by its previous name, M. chateri, it favours sandy soil, also burnt ground, and is considered relatively common though we have just 8 previous county records, several of these from Wotton Park Estate. This is a new entry for Finds. |
January 3rd 2024
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January 3rd Sarcoscypha austriaca (Scarlet Elfcup) An appropriate species to start off our 2024 entries! This little beauty was sent in by Bob Simpson, found in his Salden Wood in mossy woody litter, and is a species which thrives in damp conditions at this time of year. So it's no surprise it should be fruiting now, and in fact was also found a few days ago in Penn Wood (see December 29th in the previous Finds page). Previous finds |
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January 3rd Flammulina velutipes (Velvet Shank) On a moss covered broadleaf stump in Salden Wood Bob Simpson found this typically winter species. It favours deciduous wood, often tightly clustered on living trunks and flourishes in both frosty and snowy conditions. Caps are brightly coloured but the give-away feature is the dark lower stem which is finely furry. One to look out for at this time of year. Previous finds |
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January 3rd Tubaria furfuracea (Scurfy Twiglet) In Salden Wood Bob Simpson found this very common mushroom in grassy soil at the woodland edge but was unsure of its identity. This is a typical LBJ which often causes doubt in the field, being initially somewhat similar to both Conocybe and Galerina in size and colour. It favours woody debris and can often be found in sheets covering a large area, but when single or in small groups it is less easy to recognise. It tends to have a duller more reddish and less yellow tinge that the two genera mentioned. The gills are possibly paler than in those genera and can quite often be slightly decurrent too. Previous finds |