As an avid forager, I am always on the lookout for ways to utilize the natural resources around me. One of my favorite finds during the autumn season is horse chestnuts, also known as conkers. These shiny nuts may not be edible, but they have a hidden secret – they…
Category: autumn
Lilac Bonnet / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Step into the realm of caution as we unveil the mysterious Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura), a mushroom that demands respect for its toxic nature. Join us on a journey of awareness and safety as we delve into the risks associated with this…
Rosy Bonnet / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Scientific Name Mycena rosea Common Names Rosy hat, Rosy Bell cap Family Mycenaceae Habitat They are saprotrophic, living off dead matter, they are mostly found in mixed or coniferous woodlands, on acidic soils. Description Less common than the very closely related Lilac…
Reindeer Moss / All Year / Edible Other Common Names: Reindeer lichen, Reindeer cup lichen, Grey reindeer lichen, Caribou moss, Deer moss Latin Name: Cladonia rangiferina Physical Characteristics: While it is colloquially known as a moss, this is actually a lichen, which is a symbiont of at least one fungus…
Old Man’s Beard / All Year / Edible After processing Old Man’s Beard, it can be dried, or powdered and added to energy balls, crackers, and sauces that need thickening. Other Common Names: (this refers to the lichen, not the species of Clematis that goes by the same common name).…
Oak Moss / All Year Round / Edible Oak Moss and other Lichens have been used as food and medicine as long as there have been people. Other Common Names: Tree moss Latin Name: Evernia prunastri Physical Characteristics: Growth primarily on the trunks and branches of oak trees. It is…
Lords and Ladies / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Through this piece, we’re going to look at the full Identification Guide for Lords and Ladies as well as how to make sure we don’t confuse this one with common or lambs sorrel or accidentally pick it amongst our…
Common Bonnet / All Year Round / Edible Enter the enchanting world of the Common Bonnet, scientifically known as Mycena galericulata, as we unravel the subtle beauty and intriguing qualities of this delicate mushroom. In this blog post, we embark on a journey to explore the understated elegance and ecological…
Freckled Dapperling / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Enter a world of heightened caution as we unveil the hidden dangers of the Freckled Dapperling (Echinoderma asperum), a mushroom cloaked in toxic allure. Join us on a journey where beauty belies danger. With its distinctive freckled cap and striking appearance, the…
The Miller / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Miller Mushroom is an absolute joy to find, although I don’t often eat them – they do signify where to find porcini mushrooms. I nearly find porcini every single time I find the miller mushroom! Scientific Name Clitopilus prunulus Common Names…