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: winter
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…
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…
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…
Birch Woodwart / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Birch Woodwart (Jackrogersella multiformis) is.found predominantly on dead or decaying birch trees, this fungus is notable for its dark, warty fruiting bodies that can vary in shape and size. Often mistaken for lumps of coal or charred…
Salad Burnet / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Salad Burnet is a perennial herb that has an appearance similar to a small fern. It generally grows up to 25–55 cm tall and has a long history of use as a food for both humans and animals.…
Candlesnuff fungus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible The Candlesnuff Fungus, scientifically known as Xylaria hypoxylon, is a remarkable ascomycetous fungus that graces the woodland with its intriguing presence throughout the year, but particularly during the colder months of late autumn and winter. This enigmatic…
Amethyst Chanterelle / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible The Amethyst Chanterelle (Cantharellus amethysteus) is a captivating mushroom known for its striking purple hue and delightful flavor. This identification guide aims to help mushroom enthusiasts and foragers recognize this unique fungus in the wild. Found in deciduous and…
Winter chanterelle soup is as comforting as it is delicious, offering a rich and earthy flavour that captures the essence of the season. This soup is the perfect antidote to cold winter days, providing warmth and nourishment with every spoonful. It’s dark and raining, you have been out all day…