Foraging is a great way to slow down, explore the outdoors, and make the most of what nature has to offer—right on your doorstep. Across the UK, there’s something to find in every season, whether it’s the zingy green shoots of spring, juicy summer berries, or earthy autumn mushrooms. This…
Category: mushroom identification
Black Bulgar / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Black Bulgar (Bulgaria inquinans), also known as Black Jelly Drops, is a distinctive woodland fungus that grows on dead or dying hardwood, particularly Oak. Its dark, gelatinous, disc-like fruiting bodies often appear in clusters, giving fallen branches a glossy, almost tar-like…
Ergot / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fascinating yet highly toxic fungus that grows on the seeds of grasses and cereal crops, particularly Rye. Recognised by its dark, horn-like growths protruding from grain heads, Ergot has a long and notorious history—once responsible for mass poisonings…
Yellow Brain Fungus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica), also known as Witch’s Butter, is a striking jelly fungus that’s hard to miss with its vibrant, golden-yellow colour and gelatinous, brain-like texture. Found growing on dead and decaying hardwood, especially…
Collared Earthstar / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex) is a truly unique fungus that looks like it’s stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Found in woodlands across the UK, this fascinating mushroom starts as a simple puffball before splitting open into star-like…
Dead man’s fingers / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) is a striking and slightly eerie fungus that earns its name from its unusual appearance. Found growing on decaying hardwood, particularly around tree stumps and buried roots, this fungus resembles blackened, finger-like shapes emerging from…
Scaly Wood Mushroom / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Scaly Wood Mushroom (Agaricus langei), often found in woodlands across the UK, is a prized edible mushroom known for its distinctive scaly brown cap and delicate flavour. With its robust, earthy aroma and ability to enhance a variety of dishes,…
Shaggy Bracket / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Shaggy Bracket (Inonotus hispidus) is a bold and fascinating fungus often found on deciduous trees such as ash and apple across the UK. Its large, shaggy-looking brackets and rusty brown colour make it a distinctive sight, particularly…
Poplar field cap / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Poplar Field cap (Agrocybe cylindracea), also known as the Poplar Mushroom or Willow Mushroom, is an edible delight that thrives on decaying wood, particularly around poplar, willow, and other hardwood trees. With its smooth, tan-brown cap, creamy gills,…
Chaga / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible The Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a unique fungus prized for its medicinal properties and revered in traditional medicine for centuries. Growing primarily on birch trees in colder climates, this irregular, black, crusty growth may not look like a…