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.