Key features for the identifi cation Saprotrophic recycler fungi ...continued of the fungi in this guide Growth form. Fungi come in many different shapes and sizes. damaged. This comes in a range of colours and sometimes Tapinella atrotomentosa Velvet Rollrim. Cap max. In this fi eld guide most species are the classic toadstool shape changes from white to its fi nal colour. 20cm. This chunky species grows on rotten wood. It with a cap and stem but also included are some that grow out of Striations. These are radial lines that are sometimes visible Calocera viscosa Yellow Stagshorn. This bright yellow has a large mid brown, velvety cap with an inrolled wood like small shelves or brackets and others that have a coral- in the cap. Sometimes they are just at the cap margin and coral-like fungus (growing up to 10cm high) is usually margin and the stem is often short and set to one like shape. Take note of whether the fungus is growing alone, sometimes they extend to the centre of the cap. They refl ect trooping or in a cluster. seen growing from conifer stumps and logs. It is often side. The stem is also covered in dark brown dense the point where the top of the gills attach to the cap but, velvet. The gills are pale brown, decurrent and can Cap shape and texture. Fungal caps come in many shapes and be warned, they often disappear as the fungus dries out so still visible in the winter months and is capable of sizes, and can change as the fruit body matures. Some caps have making a note as you collect can be very helpful. continuing to release spores even after it has been easily be scraped from the cap fl esh with a thumbnail a distinct hump in the centre, which can be rounded or rather Smells. Some fungi are characterised by interesting smells frozen. The texture is tough but somewhat gelatinous. or blade. Spore print sienna brown. acute; this is called the umbo and caps that have an umbo are including coconut, curry, garlic, fresh meal, stewed apple, Spores white. called umbonate. Cap surface texture can also be variable, for honey and coal gas. Interestingly not everybody can detect instance smooth, fi brous, scaly or glutinous/sticky. fungal smells – check out your ‘nose’ by gently rubbing the Below the cap. This is where the spores are developed and stem or gills, particularly the base of the stem, and having Trichaptum abietinum Purplepore Bracket. Fruiting released. The minute structures that produce the spores cover a sniff! on dead standing and fallen pinewood, this fungus the outside of either gills or teeth or the inside of hollow tubes. Spore colour. Individual spores can only be seen with Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca False Chanterelle. Cap produces often overlapping tiers of small, tough caps Gill attachment. This is best seen if you can cut the fruit body a microscope but if you make a simple spore print, the (max. 3cm). The caps are thin, brown grey and hairy, in half top to bottom and then look closely at how the gills are thousands of spores together show a range of colours that form max. 8cm. and slightly funnel shaped. Bright orange attached to the stem. They can be free (not attached to the the basis of fungal identifi cation in many books. Cut off a cap colours and decurrent gills sometimes get this fungus with a pale edge. Underneath the cap the pores are stem), adnexed (narrowly attached), adnate (broadly attached,), and place it fl at on a piece of glass or Perspex (paper works confused with Cantharellus cibarius, the Chanterelle. large and often run into each other; when fresh they emarginate (becoming much shallower before reaching the well but you need black and white as some fungal spores are True Chanterelles are egg yolk yellow throughout are a lilac purple colour. Spore print white. attachment point) or decurrent (broadly attached and extending white). Put a drop of water on top of the cap and then cover down the stem). with a glass for a couple of hours or overnight. Do not leave it and have thick gill like structures that are technically Rings, veils and cortinas. These structures either link the edge any longer as you may fi nd some unwelcome guests (larvae of wrinkles! Spores of both species are white to pale of the cap to the stem or completely enclose both stem and the fungus gnat) trying to leave. yellow. cap when the fungus is young. Their purpose is to protect the Strongly umbonate cap Teeth beneath the cap Fragile ring of Cortinarius Tricholomopsis rutilans Plums and Custard. Cap developing spores and as the fungus expands they are broken caperatus so that the spores can escape. They can be membranous or max. 15cm. Often on buried wood and so appearing to cobwebby (cortina) and their remains form rings on the stem, Hypholoma marginatum Snakeskin Brownie. Cap grow from the soil. Purple brown fi bres on the yellow spots on the cap and sometimes leave fi bres on both the cap max. 3cm. These small fungi often form large troops fl esh of the cap give rise to the ‘plums’. The ’custard’ edge and the stem – the presence or absence of these features is the bright yellow of the gills – despite the name are important clues in identifying fungi. on conifer debris. The orange brown caps contrast this fungus is not recommended for eating. The stem Fruit body colours. The different parts of the fruit body can with the white veil remains on the stem, which often be differently coloured and it is also important to remember A cobwebby veil or cortina A striate cap Spore prints on paper forms a snakeskin pattern along its length. Spore print also has purple brown fi bres but no veil remains. Spore that the caps sometimes change colour completely or as they purplish brown. print white. dry out. Making notes or taking photographs can help you remember what they looked like when fresh. In some fungi the © Bill Burns fl esh changes colour when it is damaged. Try cutting the fungus in half or bruising the fl esh – keep an eye on what happens over Parasitic fungi the next few minutes. Other fungi produce a milk like fl uid where Phaeolus schweinitzii Dyer’s Mazegill. When young, Information and advice Pholiota fl ammans Flaming Scalycap. Cap max. the fruit body is covered in lemon yellow velvet. This Further information 8cm. This spectacular fungus grows singly or in www.britmycolsoc.org The British Mycological Society can be bruised dark red brown and, as the fruit body tufts on rotten pine logs and stumps. Chrome Books and References website has information on local recording groups, forays, matures, the yellow becomes restricted to the cap workshops and all things mycological yellow throughout, the cap and stem are covered in edge until eventually it becomes dark red brown Mushrooms. Roger Phillips (2006). Macmillan. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scottish_fi eld_mycology/ upturned yellow scales, which gives it a rather fl eecy entirely. A parasite on tree roots this fungus usually Excellent photographs and descriptions including many summary A discussion group for those with an interest in appearance. There is a yellow, cottony ring on the species from pinewoods and other habitats. fi eld mycology. Join through this link. fruits in the soil around the tree involved; the mature Advice and Support stem. Spore print rust brown. fruit bodies often form large plate like discs with a Fungi. Roy Watling and Stephen Ward (2003). rudimentary ± central stem beneath. The pores are Plantlife Scotland can help you in your quest Naturally Scottish Series. Scottish Natural Heritage, slot-like and create a labyrinthine pattern beneath Fungi of Scottish Pinewoods Battleby, Perth. Good introduction to fungi in Scotland. for information and support. Plantlife Scotland, Balallan House, the cap. Guide 1: Widespread and Fungi. Brian Spooner and Peter Roberts (2005). Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG Pleurocybella porrigens Angel’s Wings. Growing in New Naturalist Series. HarperCollins, London. Very Tel: +44 (0) 1786 478509 www.plantlife.org.uk large clustered groups from fallen trunks in humid common fungi of pinewoods readable account of fungal ecology. [email protected] woodlands, this fungus is attached to the wood © March 2010 ISBN 978-1-907141-21-8 Sparassis crispa Wood Caulifl ower. This very distinct Recommended English names for fungi in the UK. without an obvious stem. Individual caps can reach Elizabeth Holden (2003). Plantlife International. Plantlife Scotland is part of Plantlife International – the Wild Plant fungus fruits at the bottom of trees. It is composed Conservation charity, a charitable company limited by guarantee. 10cm. The texture is not woody however and the Available from the publications page of the Plantlife of numerous pale brown to buff coloured, undulating Registered in Scotland (SC038951) and in England and Wales underside supports white, decurrent gills. Rarely website (see below) NB this is an ongoing project with lobes, which are very popular as a food source for (1059559). Registered company no 3166339. recorded outside Scotland, the spore print is white. updates on the BMS website (see below). invertebrates and mammals including deer and This guide has been written and illustrated for Plantlife squirrels. Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota. N.W. Scotland by Liz Holden, Field Mycologist. British Lichen Society Legon and A. Henrici (2005) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All photos © Liz Holden, unless otherwise stated.

Introduction Finding fungi The Scottish Wild Mushroom Code Symbiotic exchanger fungi (Colours refer to the surface tissues unless otherwise specifi ed) This Plantlife fi eld guide is for anyone interested Fungal communities First and foremost, always follow the Scottish Wild The countryside is a working landscape. Please be Russula emetica Sickener. Cap max. 10cm. There is in identifying some of the more distinctive fungi Many fungi are microscopic in size but although Mushroom Code (see right). aware of your own safety and follow the Scottish a dramatic colour contrast between the bright scarlet of pinewoods, using features that can be assessed micro fungi are equally important in ecological terms, Outdoor Access Code. In accordance with this code Boletus badius Bay Bolete. Cap max. 13cm. The top cap and the white gills and stem. The fruit body is without a microscope. It looks at some of the most and as a matter of courtesy you are advised to make this guide will only deal with the macro fungi - those The most exciting time to visit the wood for of the cap is a rich brown and beneath it, the tubes rather fragile and some people can detect a faint commonly encountered species in both ancient contact with the land manager before you collect species whose fruit bodies are easily visible to the macrofungi is the late summer and autumn. Fungi have lemon yellow pores that are closely packed fruity smell (coconut) on this fungus. Spore print native and younger plantation pine woodland. Some naked eye. The spore-shooting ‘ascomycetes’ which mushrooms. generally fruit a few days after heavy rain and foraying together. A fi nger pressed onto them will immediately white. of these species will also occasionally occur in often form cup, disc or morel shaped fruit bodies have By respecting the natural environment you can help during a hot, dry spell is unlikely to be very productive. cause a blue/grey bruise to appear. The stem is other habitats. Any references to distribution apply also been excluded. Greaseproof or waxed paper, plastic boxes, an old to manage and conserve the countryside. When only to distribution within the UK and do not take Fungi cannot photosynthesise as higher and lower knife, a hand lens, notebook and pencil are important collecting mushrooms for any purpose, please generally not swollen and is a similar colour to the account of a species occurrence in other countries. A plants do, so their energy does not come directly from tools to take with you. The species illustrated in this consider the following points: cap, with longitudinal fi bres. Spore print yellow brown. companion guide (Guide 2) looks at some of the rarer the sun. Thus the macro fungi of pinewoods can be leafl et are by no means a comprehensive list of what What to collect fruiting fungi usually associated with ancient native divided into three broad ecological groupings based on you might fi nd in the pinewoods and further texts are • Wildlife, especially insects, need mushrooms too, so pinewoods. Russula sardonia Primrose Brittlegill. Cap max. the way that they obtain their food. suggested at the end. only collect what you will use. 10cm.The purple colour of the cap contrasts with the What are pinewoods? Symbiotic exchanger fungi – these species work • Some mushrooms are poisonous and others rare It will be necessary to collect some specimens to look Chroogomphus rutilus Copper Spike. Cap max. 12cm. primrose yellow of the gills. The stem is also fl ushed Scotland’s native pinewoods are found on the poor in partnership with another organism to the benefi t and should not be collected – only collect what you at closely for identifi cation and to establish the spore The habitat, copper brown colours, decurrent gills with purple and is fi rm to touch. A drop of household and infertile soils of the central and north eastern of both. A well-known example of this is the lichens, know and take a fi eld guide with you to identify colour but never take more than you need; it may not ammonia on the gills will slowly go bright pink Grampians and the north and west Highlands. They which represent a partnership between a fungus and mushrooms where you fi nd them. and dark brown to black spore print characterise this even be necessary to take a whole fruit body. Only are thought to be the relicts of an ancient forest various algae or cyanobacteria. Less well known but of fungus. The cap is usually umbonate and the gills are (always follow the safety instructions on the bottle collect fungi in good condition - sometimes it is useful • Some species are vulnerable, so please consider when using chemical solutions). Very hot to taste. dominated by pine (Pinus sylvestris) that was far crucial importance to over 85% of the planet’s plants whether there is an alternative species that is more dark coloured even in the young fungus and a cottony more extensive in prehistoric times. The remaining to collect a young fruit body as well as one that is Spore print cream. and trees, including pine, is the intimate relationship more mature to check whether or not a veil is present. common that might suit your purpose. veil leaves irregular patches on the stem. Commonly woodland certainly represents ecosystem continuity between mycorrhizal ‘exchanger’ fungi and the roots recorded in Scotland, this species is less frequent but management for timber, grazing and sporting How to collect of their partner trees. The mycelia of these species Lift the fruit body from the very bottom of the interests has meant that many woods are no longer • Allow mushrooms to release spores, do not pick elsewhere in the UK. are linked into the pine’s root system allowing an stem using an old knife; there can be important naturally regenerating and few contain bulky dead mushrooms until the cap has opened out and leave Suillus bovinus Bovine Bolete. Cap max. 10cm. Said exchange of nutrients to fl ow between the two. The identifi cation features associated with the stem © Dave Genney wood elements, standing or fallen. Much of the those that are past their best. fruit bodies appear close to trees but grow from a base. Place it in a twist of greaseproof paper or an to be the colour of Jersey cows, the cap of this fungus pinewood cover remaining in Scotland takes the form mycelium hidden in the soil. The fungus will scavenge empty plastic container - never use plastic bags to • The main part of the mushroom is below the Cortinarius semisanguineus Surprise Webcap. Cap has tubes with large yellowish angular pores beneath. of plantation stands. These can be very rewarding surface, take care not to damage or trample it, and nutrients from the surrounding soil (particularly collect the fungi in as they rapidly break up into an max. 8cm.The cap and stem are yellow brown whilst The cap is very sticky to touch in wet weather. There places to hunt for fungi although they often do not important in infertile soils such as those preferred not to disturb its surroundings. unrecognisable ‘soup’ in the bottom of the bag! the surprise is the striking blood red colour of the are no fi brous or membranous veil remains on the contain the rarer pine associating species. by pine) and make them available to their partner. In • Scatter trimmings discreetly in the same area as the adnate gills beneath the cap. The Webcaps have a stem. Spore print dull brown. A word about names return the tree will supply sugars and carbohydrates to Make notes about what trees were close to your mushrooms came from. cobwebby veil called a cortina; which links the edge The scientifi c names used in this guide are the fungus. fungus as well as what it was growing in; needle litter, Where to collect fallen branch, stump, soil etc. Recording any smells of the cap with the stem in young fruit bodies.. The internationally recognized names for each species Saprotrophic recycler fungi – these species break • Before you collect mushrooms at a nature reserve or colour changes in the fl esh of the fungus, whether (Legon & Henrici 2005). The fi rst part of the name down much of the already dead plant material found please always seek advice from the manager, as cap of this species is usually umbonate and the stem it was growing by itself or as a cluster, is all useful refers to the genus - a group of closely related fungi. in all habitats and release nutrients from this process special conditions may apply. often has pinkish tones at the base. Spore print rust The second part refers to the species - which identifi es back into the soil. The breakdown of dead wood is information that will help you with your identifi cation. • Plantation woodlands are less vulnerable than semi- brown. Suillus luteus Slippery Jack. Cap max. 12cm. As fungi with recognisable differences within the genus. principally undertaken by specialised fungi that can © Bill Burns Bain © Mary natural woodlands; please carefully consider where the name suggests, in damp weather this fungus The English names used include those few vernacular cope with the decay resistant conditions presented Please note that this guide is not intended to aid you are planning to collect. is dripping with slime! When dry, the cap looks by wood including the presence of lignin and assorted identifi cation of edible species. Always consult a Lactarius rufus Rufous Milkcap. Cap max.10cm.The names that exist in British culture and also new names shiny and is a distinctive crimson brown. The pores generated by the Recommended English Names for oils, resins and tannins. With very little dead wood, comprehensive guide or seek expert advice before If you own or manage land: cap is a rich red brown, dry and felty and often has a of the tubes beneath it are yellow. There is a wide, Fungi in the UK project, 2003. particularly from large mature trunks, in any of our eating any fungi. Foraying with a local expert or • Mushrooms are a critical part of the natural cycle in central depression with a small umbo in the centre. fungus recording group will be of enormous help in membranous ring on the stem of mature fruit bodies – What is a fungus? woodlands, the wood rotting fungal community grassland and woodlands; if these are compromised Like all the members of the genus Lactarius, if you in our pine woods is limited when compared getting you started. all elements of the ecosystem will be affected. Be the remains of a white (with purple-brown tinges) veil. break the fl esh a milky latex will appear. The milk Not quite animals and certainly not plants, these with, for example, some Eastern European woods. aware that your management activities may affect Particularly above the ring, the stem is covered by fascinating organisms are members of one of the Smaller items of litter can be decayed by a range of mushrooms. of this fungus is white and a drop on the tongue will largest kingdoms on the planet: the fungi - essential small glandular dots. Spore print clay brown. saprotrophic organisms but in pinewoods the soil is If you wish to run a foray or collect for scientifi c become very hot in about one minute. Spore print to the health of all ecological systems and without rather acidic, and invertebrates and bacteria struggle purposes remember to: cream white. which over 85% of our higher plants and trees would to function: some fungi have become specially Saprotrophic recycler fungi

• Ensure the safety of your party; make contact with Bain © Mary not survive. adapted to function in these conditions, breaking the land manager in advance of your visit. The parts of a fungus that we see above ground are down needles and twigs under the pine. • Give a record of what you have found to the land Russula caerulea Humpback Brittlegill. Cap max. Auriscalpium vulgare Earpick Fungus. Cap max. 2cm. the spore producing structures, (the ‘fruit bodies’) Parasitic fungi – many parasitic fungi kill only a of a much larger organism that is mostly hidden manager and explain the signifi cance of your 10cm. The dark wine red cap with a distinct umbo or This unmistakeable rather tough little species grows few of their host’s cells and the host itself is not fi ndings. from sight and composed of a branching network killed. Others can cause the death of trees and in the hump in the centre contrasts with the white stem and on buried, fallen pinecones. It has a dark brown hairy of fi lamentous cells. This underground network, pinewood there are several fungi that can enter the cream gills. Like most members of this genus, the gills stem, which is often set to the side of the cap. The cap This code was created by the Scottish Wild Mushroom (the ‘mycelium’) enables fungi to acquire nutrients tree through the root system and cause ‘butt rots’ itself is rather kidney-shaped and also dark brown and Forum, a group consisting of representatives of conservation and fl esh have a ‘crumbly’ feel between the fi ngers. amongst plant litter and wood and, for some species, low down in the trunk of otherwise healthy trees. organisations, landowners, public landowning bodies, Spore print ochre. Commonly recorded in Scotland, hairy and the spores are borne on lots of little grey to link up with the roots of living trees in a symbiotic This is a perfectly normal part of life in the wild wood mushroom buyers and mushroom pickers. The creation of the this species is less frequent elsewhere in the UK. brown teeth hanging beneath it. Spore print white ‘mycorrhizal’ relationship wherein both partners gain with glades being opened up as trees topple; not nutrients. Forum and the Code was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, surprisingly unwelcome in commercial plantations. The Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise. © Mary Bain © Mary