Common Dogwood / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Toxic The Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a familiar sight in hedgerows, woodlands, and gardens across the UK, admired for its vibrant red stems in winter and clusters of creamy white flowers in spring. As the seasons turn, its…
Tag: autumn
Common Jasmine / Spring / Summer / Edible The Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) isn’t just a beautiful addition to gardens; it’s also a surprising edible plant with a long history in culinary and medicinal use. Known for its delicate white flowers and sweet, intoxicating fragrance, this climbing plant thrives…
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…
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…
Egghead Mottlegill /Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The first time I came across the Egg head Mottlegill (Panaeolus semiovatus), I was struck by its delicate, egg-shaped cap and intricate mottled gills. This is one of those fungi that catches your eye in horse pastures and other…
Spotted Toughshank / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Spotted Toughshank (Rhodocollybia maculata), is a common woodland species that catches the eye with its distinct appearance yet isn’t suitable for the table. Known for its pale, cream-to-tan cap speckled with characteristic dark spots, this tough and fibrous mushroom is more…
Blushing Rosette / Summer /Autumn / Inedible The Blushing Rosette (Abortiporus biennis) is an intriguing and uncommon mushroom species found in various habitats across the UK, Europe and North America. Recognisable by its distinct rosette-like appearance and tendency to blush pink when bruised, this fungi often grows on decaying wood…
Devil’s Bolete / Summer / Autumn / Toxic The Devil’s Bolete (Rubroboletus satanas) is a striking and rare species of mushroom found in woodlands across parts of UK and Europe. Known for its vibrant colours and imposing appearance, it is one of nature’s most deceptive fungi. While its vivid red…
Bruising Webcap / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Bruising Webcap (Cortinarius purpurascens) is a captivating and somewhat enigmatic mushroom tha is found primarily in coniferous and mixed woodlands across Europe and North America, this mushroom is distinguished by its striking colour changes upon handling. The Bruising Webcap…