Autumn Fungi

 Rosie and I have been walking locally over a few days and I have been Fungus spotting.  These are a few of the offerings I recorded this week.

This Brown Birch Bolete (Laccinum scabrum) seen at Consall Forge, is an edible fungus, but it must be picked fresh as older specimens tend to be a bit mushy and flavourless.

Sulphur Tufts (Hypholoma fascicular) are quite poisonous to humans.  They are found in clusters on rotting wood.  Can be confused with other harmless fungi.

The Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) is the typical textbook toadstool and is highly poisonous.

Stag Horn Fungus (Clavulina cristata) is common in the UK and is edible.  It is very similar to Clavulina cinerea which is slightly greyer in appearance.

This one is a problem to identify - I think it is a Tricholoma pardinum which is not fully developed.  However that species is not normally found in the UK, but it is a poisonous fungus.

This is a Puff-ball species with a stalk,  Lycoperdon perlatum, and when it is white, it is edible, but browning makes it potentially toxic.  This one was at Park Hall Country Park.

Just occasionally you spot a gem and this one is a Chanterelle (Chanterennus cibareus) which is one of the best flavoured mushrooms in the woods.

This cluster of fungi are pholiata alnicola which is very similar to the Sulphur tuft. Not one to eat either.

Footnote: Treat all fungi as toxic unless you are sure of what they are.