Oak Polypore / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible Scientific Name Inonotus dryadeus Common Names Oak Polypore, Oak Bracket, Weeping conk and Warted Oak Polypore Family Hymenochaetaceae Habitat An infrequent find in northern Britain but fairly common in Wales and southern England. They are parasitic and are…
Category: mushroom identification
Sulphur knight / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Common Names Sulphur knight, Gas works mushroom, Stinker, Gas agaric Scientific Name Tricholoma sulphureum Family Tricholomataceae Commonly known as the Knights Click here to learn more about the Knight family. Habitat Ectomycorrhizal with deciduous broadleaf trees, mainly oaks and Beech…
Devils fingers / Summer / Autumn / Inedible Scientific Name Clathrus archeri Common Names Devils fingers, Octopus Stinkhorn Family Phallaceae Known commonly as the Stinkhorns. Habitat Rare in the UK only appearing in southern areas, but its distribution is widespread over the globe. Preferring warmer tropical regions and Native to…
Pipe club / Autumn / Inedible Scientific Name Typhula fistulosa, synonyms Clavaria fistulosa Common Names Pipe club Family Typhulaceae A type of Clavaroid fungi, which is one of the most basic forms of fungi fruit body and has arisen numerous times through fungi evolution. Habitat Saprophytic, growing in broad-leaf woodlands…
Jelly Baby / Summer / Autumn / Inedible Scientific Name Leotia lubrica Common Names Jelly Baby, The lizard tuft, The ochre jelly club, The slippery cap, The gumdrop fungus, Yellow jelly babies Family Leotiaceae Habitat Found growing in woodland among moss, plant detritus or other habitats, the fruit bodies are…
Red-belted polypore / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Red Belted Polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) is a bold and beautiful bracket fungus found growing on dead or dying coniferous trees, occasionally hardwoods, throughout the UK and across the Northern Hemisphere. This distinctive polypore gets its name from…
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…
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…