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…
Category: mushroom identification
Cauliflower fungus / Sparassis crispa / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Cauliflower Fungus (Sparassis crispa) is one of the most distinctive and rewarding wild mushrooms to forage. Resembling a large, ruffled brain or a head of cauliflower, this edible fungus is not only a visual marvel but also a…
Poison Pie / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Toxic The Poison Pie (Hebeloma species) is a group of toxic mushrooms often found in woodlands, grassy areas, and even parklands across the UK. With their smooth, pale-brown caps and cream-coloured gills, they might look like an edible treat to an…
Silky Rosegill / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible The Silky Rosegill (Volvariella bombycina) is a stunning and edible mushroom that occasionally graces decaying hardwoods with its presence. Its silky, cream-coloured cap and delicate pink gills give it a striking appearance, making it a prized find for those lucky…
Rooting Shank / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Rooting Shank (Hymenopellis radicata) is a distinctive mushroom often found in UK woodlands, particularly around the bases of decaying hardwoods. With its tall, slender stem and small, pale-brown cap, this mushroom gets its name from its long, tapering root-like base that…
Tuberous polypore / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible The Tuberous Polypore (Polyporus tuberaster) is a delightful find for me. Known for its edible qualities and distinctive growth habit, this mushroom grows from an underground sclerotium—a hard, tuber-like structure that gives it its name. Found on…
Spring field caps / Spring / Summer / Edible The Spring Field caps (Agrocybe praecox) are one of the early arrivals in the fungal calendar, popping up in grassy areas and woodland edges as the days start to warm. Its pale, honey-coloured cap and stout stem make it a charming…
Splitgills / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Splitgill (Schizophyllum commune) might be small in size, but it’s a giant when it comes to intrigue. This delicate, fan-shaped fungus is one of the most widespread mushrooms on the planet, thriving on deadwood in a variety of…
Smokey Bracket / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible The Smokey Bracket (Bjerkandera adusta) is a subtle yet fascinating fungus that you’ve likely walked past countless times without even noticing. Found on decaying wood, especially hardwoods, it’s a common sight in UK woodlands year-round. Its smoky-grey…
Cinnamon Bracket / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Toxic The Cinnamon Bracket (Hapalopilus nidulans) is one of those mushrooms that stops you in your tracks during a woodland walk. Its warm, cinnamon-brown colour and soft, velvety texture make it stand out against the dull greys and greens…