Mushrooms: A comprehensive guide to mushroom identification 9781447264026, 1447264029

Table of contents :
Title page
Dedication page
Acknowledgments
Contents
Introduction
Visual Index
Glossary
BASIDIOMYCETES
Mushrooms with Gills
Mushrooms with Primitive Gills
Mushrooms & Fungi with Pores
Fungi with Spines
Stomach Fungi
Bird’s Nest Fungi
Stinkhorns
Club & Spindle Fungi
Coral Fungi
Jelly Fungi
ASCOMYCETES
Morels
Saddle Fungi
Cup Fungi
Ear Fungi
Club-shaped Fungi
Finger & Disc Fungi
Truffles
Spots & Crusts
Index
Copyright page

Citation preview

for Nicky Foy

Acknowledgments ASSISTANT DESIGNER: Debby Curry EDITOR: Candida Frith-Macdonald EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE: Penny Price & Jean Maund PRODUCTION: Chris Gibson Firstly I must give credit to all the mycologists who have made this book possible. Dr Derek Reid looked at a very great number of my specimens and verified the identifications; Ronnie Rayner oversaw the earlier work on Russula and Lactarius. For the new volume I have had an enormous input from Geoffrey Kibby, and I am greatly indebted to Alick Henrici for for his detailed work on the current taxonomy of the Basidiomycetes and Dr Brian Spooner of Kew for his work determining and updating the Ascomycetes. To collect the fungi needed for the 1,200 photographs in this book, I calculate that more than 35,000 actual specimens have passed through my hands over the last 30 years. This has only been possible through the help enthusiastically given to me by mycologists in the field. Firstly, I would like to thank Ted Green, who has given up so much of his time, energy and skill to the project. Geoff and Jenny Stone, Malcolm Storey, Audrey Thomas, Irene Palmer, and Joyce Pitt also must have a special mention, and Nicky Foy for her continued support and tireless help in the field during all my travels. Among the others who have helped me in one way or another are: Buck McAdoo, Susan Alnut Dede and Roland, Claire Appleby, Beverley Behrens, Rod Bevan, Bert Brand, Alan Christie, Beverly Clark, Malcolm and Marjorie Clark, Ray Cowell, Jenny Deakin, Vincent Demoulin, R. Evans, Sheila Grant, Margaret Holden, F. Bayard Hora, Bruce Ing, Richard Jennings, Paul Kirk, Stephan Koepf, Joy Langridge, Alan Lucas, Marie Mann, Jack Marriott, A. Newton, Mary Oubridge, John Palmer, Bobby Phillips, Cathy Phillips, Ian Phillips, Philip Phillips, Simon Plant, José Putsch, Mervyn Rayner, Martyn Rix, George Taylor, Shimon Tzabor, Roy Watling, Jo Weightman, John and Jean Williams, Mike and Jean Woolner. The following institutions have been invaluable: The British Museum (Natural History) The British Mycological Society

The Nature Conservancy Council The North American Mycological Association The Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew The Société Mycologique de France

Contents Introduction Visual Index Glossary BASIDIOMYCETES Mushrooms with Gills Mushrooms with Primitive Gills Mushrooms & Fungi with Pores Fungi with Spines Stomach Fungi Bird’s Nest Fungi Stinkhorns Club & Spindle Fungi Coral Fungi Jelly Fungi ASCOMYCETES Morels Saddle Fungi Cup Fungi Ear Fungi Club-shaped Fungi Finger & Disc Fungi Truffles Spots & Crusts Index

Why a new book? In the introduction to my first book I said that one day I would have to produce a second volume. It has taken 25 years but, at last, I have it ready for publication. There are four main reasons for a second book. Firstly, I have lots of new pictures, and more than 200 are of species that were not included in my first volume. Secondly, the massive amount of research work on nomenclature in the last few years has resulted in a great many changes to the Latin names, all of which have been updated in this volume. Thirdly, English Nature and the British Mycological Society (BMS) have published a list of English names for all the major fungi in the British Isles; these have also been included. Fourthly, because of the considerable time that British people now spend travelling in Europe, I have included some European species that are not, as yet, recorded in our isles, but which travellers might find on their visits abroad. Many of the recent Latin names given to well-known fungi will be new to the experienced reader so, to avoid confusion, I have given the older, probably betterknown names as synonyms, and included them all in the species index.

What is a Mushroom? A mushroom, or indeed any fungus, is only the reproductive part of the organism (known as the fruit body), which develops to form and distribute the spores. Fungi are a very large class of organisms which in their structure have some similarities to plants, but they lack chlorophyll and are thus unable to build up the carbon compounds essential to life. Instead, they draw their sustenance ready-made from living or dead plants or even animals, as animals do. A fungus is made up of minute, hair-like filaments called hyphae. The hyphae develop into a fine, cobweb-like net, known as the mycelium, and grow through the material from which the fungus obtains its nutrition. Mycelium is extremely fine and, in most cases, cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. In other cases, the hyphae bind together to make a thicker mat, which can readily be observed. To produce a fruiting body, two mycelia of the same species band together in the equivalent of a sexual stage. Then, given the right conditions of nutrition, humidity, temperature and light, a fruit body will be formed and, with sufficient water, expand into a mushroom or fungus.

The larger fungi are divided into two distinct groups: THE SPORE DROPPERS, BASIDIOMYCETES (here). In these the spores are developed on the outside of a series of specialized, club-shaped cells called basidia. As they mature, the spores fall from the basidia and are normally distributed by wind. Most of the fungi in this book are of this kind, including the gilled agarics, boletes, polypores, and jelly fungi. THE SPORE SHOOTERS, ASCOMYCETES (here). called the ‘Ascos’, these form spores within club- or flask-shaped sacs called asci. When the spores have matured, they are shot out through the tip of the ascus. The morels, cup fungi, and truffles belong to this group.

Cup fungi and allies (here)

The Third Force Fungi are the third natural kingdom, just as important as animals and flowering plants. As work on the ecology of fungi progresses, we realize that the world of plants is incredibly dependent on fungi in every sense of the word. Fungi break down leaf litter and dead wood and thus ensure that the surface of the world has a fertile layer of soil rather than being a heap of detritus, but it is through the intimate relationship of fungi with the roots of trees and plants, the mycorrhizal relationships, that the most important contribution is made. Trees and woodland live in a symbiotic relationship with a vast number of fungi, and were it not for the help given to the plants through these relationships many, perhaps most, woodland areas would fail. In fact, without the third force of the fungal world, life as we know it would not be possible for plants and thus also impossible for the animal kingdom. In evolutionary terms, it is thought that the first plant-fungal symbiosis dates back to the very origin of plants, some 460 million years ago. Virtually all plants form mycorrhizal relationships; probably only 5–10% function without fungal help. It is calculated that there are over 7,000 species of fungi that form mycorrhizal relationships with a similar number of plant species.

Summer truffles (Tuber aestivum) with beech leaves

In this symbiosis, the fungus receives carbon from the plant and, in exchange, passes to it phosphorus, nitrogen, and zinc, plus a greatly improved water supply, especially in dry conditions. These supplies are passed through the mycorrhizal tips to the tree. It has been calculated that in the region of eight million tips are needed to form one fruit body of Boletus edulis (Cep). The North American Space Agency (NASA) has been investigating the effect of fungal symbiosis for about 50 years. It carried out a long-term, controlled experiment by planting a pair of young pines, both 1m tall, in very poor soil: one, with a sterilized

root system, was planted in totally sterilized soil; the second was infected with one of the Amanita species and planted close by in unsterilized soil. The plants were observed and kept under controlled conditions for some 15 years. When the experiment was concluded, the sterile specimen had grown to just over 1.5m in height; in contrast, the specimen infected with the Amanita had grown to 8m, with a trunk more than 35cm in circumference! This slightly unnatural test serves to demonstrate the value of fungal symbiosis to plants. In the last couple of years I have witnessed in nature the way beech trees can be assisted to become strong and healthy in a very short time, planted on very poor, chalky soils in southern England, when growing in symbiosis with the summer truffle Tuber aestivum (here). It has even been found that the eucalyptus species in Australia are heavily dependent on fungal help to survive in dry, often near-desert conditions. Forest clearance can change the fungi present in the soil, with the result that many of those most beneficial to the trees die without their hosts. Therefore, attempting to replant forest regions may not always be successful, because many of the mycorrhizal associates that helped the original forests to thrive will have been destroyed. Thus man will need to use his knowledge of beneficial fungi in existing forests to infect plantings of new forests. We need to be aware that the fungi present in an old forest system have built up over millions of years, and destroying that habitat by clearcutting will damage the whole delicate ecological balance. I speculate that when we learn a great deal more about these mycorrhizal relationships we will be in a much better position to encourage reforestation, even in semi-desert conditions. Just think what that could do for the environment in terms of carbon levels, air quality, biodiversity, and soil conservation.

Protecting Fungi Our growing knowledge of fungal symbiosis with plants shows us how vital fungi are to the environment, and thus we must all do everything we can to protect and encourage them. They are fundamental to the life of plants and animals, the third force that completes the biosphere on earth, and protecting them in their environment is of paramount importance. Indeed, all mycologists and mycological societies place great emphasis on protecting the whole fungal world. The British Mycological Society (BMS) has laid down guiding principles. “The Society acknowledges the importance of edible fungi as a resource to be utilised, but accepts harvesting such fungi only where it is non-threatening to the viability of fungal populations ... The Society’s constitutional objective ‘to promote mycology’ encompasses encouragement of research on the biology, including taxonomy and ecology, of fungi; on the causes of decline of fungal populations; and on the cultivation of edible fungi.” From the BMS Policy on Conservation.

How the Text Works The text is written to a consistent system, with headings in bold so that the reader can locate information with ease. These are the details and some of the sources: Common name Where given, these are taken from the the British Mycological Society (BMS) website. Latin name and author accreditation Species names and attributions are as per the BMS Checklist of the British & Irish Basidiomycota N.W. Legon and A. Henrici with P.J. Roberts, B.M. Spooner and R. Watling, published by The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2005. The names and authors for the Ascomycetes are drawn from the BMS website checklist. Cap/bracket/fruit body Details of size, shape, colour, and texture. Bracket sizes are side-to-side by front to back. Stem Details of size, shape, colour, firmness, and texture. Gills/tubes/pores Details of shape, density, colour. Spores Details of spore size in (microns), colour of print, and other microscopic or small features. Habitat Where the fungus is found – in woodland, on trees, amongst grass, etc. – when, and how commonly. Seasons are used rather than months, as the months do not have the same rainfall and temperature over the whole of our area. The frequency is for the British Isles, based on the number of collections of each fungus in the Kew Herbarium. This information may not be totally reliable, as not all reports have been verified by professional mycologists, but it gives a reasonable picture of the incidence over the years. 1–25 26–50 51–150 151–450 451–850 851–2,000 Over 2,001

Very rare Rare Uncommon Occasional Frequent Common Very common

Also under the frequency heading I have included a note about the endangered species now being assembled into a Red Data List. All the frequency information comes from the British Fungi database hosted by CABI for the BMS and is correct at the time of going to press. The website address is: http://194.203.77.76/fieldmycology Edibility At the end of each profile I have highlighted all the choice and good edible fungi, and also the poisonous and deadly poisonous fungi. There are also many fungi which are not normally eaten for a variety of reasons: too small, too tough or woody,

or having an unpleasant taste or scent; these I have tended to classify as ‘Not edible’. Some genera also contain species known to contain toxins, such as Cortinarius, Inocybe, Entoloma, and Hebeloma, and all members of these genera are potentially poisonous.

Collecting Fungi When making a collection it will facilitate identification if you note the salient characteristics of a species in the same order as they are mentioned in the text: Cap Note the size in centimetres, the shape, the colours, the texture. Is it smooth, sticky, fibrous, or scaly? Stem Make sure you get the whole stem out of the ground and note the height and width in millimetres, the colours, the presence of a ring, volva, root, or basal bulb. Flesh Note the colour and the texture. Is it fibrous or crumbly? Does it exude milk? Check the smell and taste. To ascertain taste, nibble a little bit and break it up on the tip of your tongue without swallowing it. Spit out the remains and completely clear your mouth. With care, even the most poisonous species can be tasted in this way; in practice, you will soon learn to recognize and so avoid tasting the main poisonous genera. Gills Note the shape, attachment to the stem, and colour. Spores Note the spore colour, which can sometimes be seen beneath the cap on the grass or leaves. If not, make a spore print (this may not be possible with brackets). Habitat Note if it grows on wood, soil, or manure, and in grassland or woodland. Under or near what species of tree or plant? Is the soil chalky or acid?

Spore print from Coprinus domesticus

Making a Spore Print Take a fresh, mature cap and lay it on a clean piece of paper or ideally glass (to avoid paper fibres). Cover it with an upturned glass to stop it drying out; it may also be

necessary to moisten the cap with a drop of water. Left overnight, or possibly longer, you should get a good print. Scrape the spores together with a razor blade to see the colour more easily. Spore droppers (Basidiomycetes) will make a print below the cap; spore shooters (Ascomycetes) will make a halo around the cap. The letters A to H used in the Russula and Lactarius text refer to the Crawshay (1930) colour code. They can be briefly summed up as: A = pure white; B = very, very pale cream; C = very pale cream; D = pale cream; E = yellowish-cream; F = yellow-cream; G = pastelyellow; H = yellow-ochre.

Drying Specimens It is sometimes possible to get hold of commercial dryers, but they are unnecessary. For the normal student, I advise bodging your own set-up. What I have done is fix a fine wire mesh about 5cm above a radiator. This is an excellent arrangement, as it gives low, consistent heat and a good flow of air, the two essentials for quick, effective drying. I have also tried drying in an oven on low with the door open, but I find it difficult to control the temperature.

Mushroom Identification Website I have also put all my material on to my website, including all my American species. To aid identification there is also a simple keying system and a useful database. Take a look at www.RogersMushrooms.com

Societies The British Mycological Society (BMS) is open to all interested in mycology. If you would like to join, the simplest way is to log on to the website and go to the membership section (www.britmycolsoc.org.uk). In the autumn ‘fungus forays’ are held on most weekends all over the British Isles, often in conjunction with a local natural history society. If you want to carry your study of fungi further, the BMS has a library of some 1,200 volumes, many of which can be borrowed by members. The up-to-date library book list is available on the society website.

Main Edible Species A great many mushrooms and fungi found in Britain are good or very good to eat, although some must be cooked first. Before eating any mushroom that you have found, it is safest by far to have the identification confirmed by an expert. The following are the best and most common edible species, in the order in which they are featured.

Three of the best edible mushrooms

St George’s Mushroom Calocybegambosa (here) Fairy Ring Champignon Marasmius oreades (here) Parasol Lepiota procera (here) Wood Blewit Lepista nuda (here) Field Blewit Lepista saeva (here) Field Mushroom Agaricus campestris (here) Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus (here) Oyster Pleurotus ostreatus (here) Chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius (here) Horn of Plenty Craterellus cornucopioides (here) Bay Bolete Boletus badius (here) Cep Boletus edulis (here) Chicken of the Woods Laetiporus sulphureus (here) Wood Hedgehog Hydnum repandum (here) Giant Puffball Langermannia gigantea (here) Wood Cauliflower Sparassis crispa (here) Morel Morchella esculenta/vulgaris (here) Truffles Tuber species (here)

Potentially Deadly Poisonous Species

When eating wild mushrooms it is wise to keep back a specimen of the collection you are cooking. If you think you have eaten a dangerous mushroom, or if you get strong symptoms, go immediately to a hospital, taking with you some of the mushroom if possible. Avoid these species, listed in order of diminishing danger. Deathcap Amanita phalloides, (here), is the most common of the deadly poisonous types. The symptoms occur some time after eating, from about eight hours to two days, and after the first onset of illness there may be a period when the patient feels better. Do not be fooled by this. Destroying Angel Amanita virosa (here) and Panthercap Amanita pantherina (here) are also deadly poisonous and produce similar symptoms.

Deathcap Amanita phalloides

Fibrecaps or Inocybe species all contain toxins and should be avoided. The Redstaining Fibrecap Inocybe erubescens syn. I. patouillardii (here) is definitely known to cause death. Most Webcaps, members of the genus Cortinarius, contain toxins, so eating any members of this genus should be avoided. Among them Deadly Webcap Cortinarius rubellus (here) is a deadly species, which has been mistaken for Chanterelle. The onset of illness may be delayed as long as ten days. Fool’s Webcap Cortinarius orellanus (here), very rare in Britain but occasionally found in Europe, has similar symptoms. The associated Poisonpie or genus Hebeloma should also be avoided. False Morel Gyromitra esculenta (here) is sometimes sold in European markets as an edible species but, in fact, if it is eaten in quantity or over a sustained period or not properly prepared, this can be deadly. Livid Pinkgill Entoloma sinuatum (here), and Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus (here) have also caused severe poisoning, eventually proving fatal.

Yellow Stainer Agaricus xanthodermus (here) although not deadly, sometimes causes very severe stomach upsets; it can be confused with the edible field mushrooms.

Visual Index These pages show the major genera and are a simple visual aid for readers new to mycology, to give them a rough idea as to where to begin searching. In a sense it is a tiny generic book within the book. The genera are displayed in the order that they appear.

Russula The Brittlegills, a large genus of gilled mushrooms. The caps are convex at first, then almost flat. Many are brightly coloured red, purple, yellow, or green. The stems are simple, without ring or volva. The gills have a geometric look and are brittle, hence the common name. (here)

Lactarius The Milkcaps, the most important characteristic of which is that they all exude droplets of milk (lactate) from the gills and flesh when damaged. The colour of the milk and whether it discolours after a time are important in identification. The flesh is granular and will break easily, (here)

Hygrocybe The Waxcaps are small and brightly coloured mushrooms. The caps are

often conical in shape, red, yellow, green or white, and normally greasy to slimy. The gills are waxy to the touch and may bruise blackish when damaged. They are found on lawns and grassland. (here)

Mycena The common name is Bonnet, and the generic name comes from the bonnets worn by the Mycenae in ancient Greece. They have small, bell-shaped caps on long, delicate stems. Some exude a juice when the stem is broken. Some species are found on rotting wood, some on leaf-litter. (here)

Clitocybe Now called Funnel, previously known as Funnel Caps. The caps are often funnel-shaped with an umbo. Some have strong, distinctive smells of meal or aniseed. The gills are decurrent (running down the stem), often strongly so. (here)

Melanoleuca The common name is Cavalier. They have broad, flat caps with a central umbo. The stem flesh may be dark and streaky. Some fruit very early in the season, from late spring onwards. (here)

Laccaria The common name is Deceiver, because the cap colours can be variable

from wet or fresh to dry and old; thus you may be unsure of your determinations until you are familiar with them. They are found in woods or on heaths, growing on the ground. (here)

Tricholoma The common name is Knight. The stems have no ring, with two exceptions. It is important to note the quality of the cap surface – greasy, dry, scaly, or hairy. Some have strong smells; this may be observed only when the mushroom is cut or crushed. They fruit late in the season. (here)

Marasmius The common name is Parachute, and some resemble tiny umbrellas. Usually small, often tiny, they have tall, thin stems. They are tough and leathery, and if dried out they will revive on wetting. They are found on dead twigs, grass, or leaflitter. (here)

Collybia Known as the Toughshanks, their most distinctive feature is the tough, fibrous, flexible stems, which lack ring or volva. The gills are often rather crowded, never decurrent. Some have strong smells. They are found on the ground in woodland. (here)

Macrolepiota The colour and type of scales on the cap are important. All have rings on the stem. The gills are normally white and free from the stem. Some have flesh that discolours red when cut or bruised, and smells are important. Lepiota species are much smaller; their common name is Dapperling. (here)

Amanita An important genus, which includes some extremely poisonous species. All have a volva at the stem base, which may be large and floppy or less distinct; the volva also often leaves patches on the cap surface. Some have rings, those without a ring have the common name Grisette. (here)

Lepista Commonly known as Blewits, many are edible and choice. They have a simple stem without a ring. The distinctive character is the pink spores, noticeable as a pink flush on the gills as they mature. Some members of this genus grow in grassland, others in woodland. (here)

Entoloma The common name is Pinkgill. This genus includes many species that in the past were considered in separate genera, such as Nolanea and Leptonia; it follows that species are of very different sizes, habitats, and appearance. Note any very

interesting smells. (here)

Pluteus The common name for this genus is Shield. The gills are free, and you will be able to see them turning pink (due to the pink spore deposit) in mature specimens. Nearly all grow on wood or wood debris. (here)

Cortinarius The common name is Webcap, because one of the distinguishing characteristics is the cobweb-like attachment between the cap and the stem (the cortina). The larger species have sticky caps and/or stems; small ones may be hygrophanous. The gills turn rust-red as the spores mature. (here)

Pholiota The common name for these is Scalycap. The caps are mostly yellow to orange, the spore print is rusty brown. They are found growing on stumps or branches of trees, or on wood debris or sawdust, often forming clumps. (here)

Hebeloma The common name is Poisonpie. The caps are cream or brownish, often viscid or slimy. The stems are fibrous, often with a granular surface. The smells may only be apparent on cutting or bruising. The gills turn dull fawn-coloured as the

pinkish-brown spores mature. (here)

Inocybe The common name is Fibrecap. They are small, dull-coloured mushrooms with conical or umbonate caps. Note whether there is a bulb at the stem base. Many have interesting smells. Most cannot be determined without microscopic examination of the tobacco-brown spores. The whole genus contains toxins. (here)

Hypholoma The common name for larger species growing on wood is Tuft, while smaller species are called Brownie. The spore print is dark brown. Most grow in clusters on dead wood. Some, like the prolific Sulphur Tuft, are very common. (here)

Agaricus The common name is simply Mushroom. Many species discolour yellowish, pinkish, or red when bruised or cut. Some have interesting smells. The young gills are pink or white. The spores are dark brown to blackish-purple. Most are edible, but beware those bruising bright yellow. (here)

Psathyrella The common name is Brittlestem. Many of the species in this large genus

are difficult to determine. The stems usually have a mottled silvery appearance; all parts of the fungus are very brittle. The spore print is dark blackish-brown to violaceous-black. (here)

Coprinus The common name is Inkcap. The crowded, parallel-sided gills deliquesce to allow the shedding of mature black spores, which results in the dripping black, inky fluid from which the genus gets its name. They grow on wood, dung, and the ground. (here)

Panaeolus The common name is Mottlegill. The caps are normally conical; the black spores tend to mature rather unevenly, giving mottled blackish tones to the gills. They are found on grassland, especially well-manured grassland. (here)

Pleurotus The common name is Oyster, from the shell-like cap. They grow on wood in layers, with short and usually lateral stems. The gills are normally distinctly decurrent. The spore print varies in colour from white to pale lilac. Some are very good to eat. (here)

Gomphidius The common name for this group is Spike. They are related more closely to the Boletes, which have pores, than to other gilled fungi. The caps are normally very glutinous. They are found in conifer woods. (here)

Cantharellus The Chanterelles are an important group of edible mushrooms, distinguished by the primitive gills, which are often no more than folds on the lower surface of the cap. Harvests have declined in recent years, possibly due to acid rain; for this reason care should be taken not to over-collect. (here)

Boletus The Boletes are mushrooms with pores and tubes instead of gills. The tubes are easily separated from the cap, which helps to distinguish these from the stemmed polypores. Many are edible and good. (here) Closely related are Leccinum, with tall stems, and Suillus, with glutinous caps. (here)

Polyporus One of the main genera of Polypores or Bracket fungi. All brackets grow on old trees, but contrary to general opinion rarely do harm to their hosts. They have pores and tubes rather than gills. Note the tree species they are found, on as many species are tree specific. (here)

Hydnum One of the Hedgehog fungi, which have spines rather than gills. There are a few allied genera, normally with very short stems growing close to the ground. There are also rather rare species that grow on trees. (here)

Lycoperdon A member of the Puffballs and their allies, known colloquially as the stomach fungi. The spore material is contained within the body of the fungus, and is released when the case splits open or is broken. Many of the species are edible if the inner material is white and immature. (here)

Clavaria One of the Coral or Spindle fungi, a large group of fungi often resembling ocean corals. The spores form on the surface and fall when mature. Closely allied is Ramaria, which grows in much larger clumps. They grow on the ground in woods, on heaths, or in grass. (here)

Morchella Morels are our first genus from the Ascomycetes group of fungi. They have long been considered one of the most important edible fungi, second only to truffles. All morels need to be cooked before serving; if eaten raw, they may cause stomach upsets. (here)

Peziza A member of the Cup fungi. If you puff warm breath on to a fresh, mature specimen a cloud of spores will be expelled. They grow on the ground or on wood, from spring to autumn. (here)

Tuber The Truffles. This genus has many species in Europe, mostly small and insignificant, but it includes the much-sought-after edible truffles. In Britain the main species is Tuber aestivum, the Summer Truffle. All are found just below the soil surface in association with trees. (here)

Glossary Some terms used in describing mushrooms. µ (mu) a micron, one-thousandth of a millimetre (1µ=0.001 mm) adnate (of gills) connected to stem by whole depth of gill, e.g. Stropharia aeruginosa adnexed (of gills) connected to stem by part of the depth of the gill adpressed closely flattened onto surface agaric general term for a fungus with gills AgNO3 see silver nitrate ammonia used as a 50% aqueous solution amyloid turning blue-black in iodine solutions such as Melzer’s reagent appendiculate fringed with remains of the veil, e.g. Lacrymaria lacrymabunda Ascomycetes a major group containing all fungi producing spores in asci which are liberated by pressure ascospore reproductive cell of the Ascomycetes ascus (plural asci) elongated cell in which ascospores are produced basidia club-shaped cells on which spores are produced in Basidiomycetes Basidiomycetes a major and very diverse group of fungi characterized by the presence of basidia, including gill fungi, boletes, polypores, clavarias, jelly fungi, and Gasteromycetes. basidiospore reproductive cell of the Basidiomycetes binding hyphae much-branched, thick-walled hyphae without dividing cell walls, which bind other hyphae together bulb abrupt swelling at stem base bulbous swollen into a bulb, e.g. Cortinarius elegantissima caespitose joined in tufts, e.g. Hypholoma fasciculare campanulate bell-shaped, e.g. Conocybe apala capillitium mass of sterile, thread-like fibres among the spores in the Gasteromycetes, which may aid spore dispersal capitate with a round head cartilaginous firm but flexible, as opposed to granular cheilocystidia cystidia on the gill edge chlamydospore a thick-walled, non-deciduous spore chrysocystidia cystidia with granular contents that turn yellowish in alkali solutions

clamp connection a hyphal outgrowth that connects two adjoining cells, resulting from a cell division bypassing the dividing cell wall; apparently involved in the movement of nuclei clavate club-like, e.g. Ampulloclitocybe clavipes coralloid much-branched, coral-like cortina (adjective cortinate) web-like covering running between stem and cap edge, enclosing the gills, e.g. Cortinarius elegantissima cortinal zone faint remnant of cortina on stem crescentric crescent-like in form cuticle the surface tissue layer of the cap or stalk cystidiole a sterile cell protruding beyond the spore-bearing surface cystidium (plural cystidia) a sterile cell, variable in shape, occurring between basidia in the spore-bearing surface, or in other parts of the fruit body decurrent (of gills) running down the stem, e.g. Clitocybe gibba decurrent tooth (of gill) where only the narrow end portion of the gill runs down the stem dendroid tree-like dendrophyses irregularly-branched cystidia dermatocystidia cystidia on the cap surface dextrinoid turning reddish-brown with iodine solutions such as Melzer’s reagent dichotomously (branched) branching repeatedly in two dimitic having two kinds of hyphae eccentric (of stem) off centre emarginate (of gills) see sinuate equal (of stem) being of the same thickness over its entire length excentric off-centred FeSO4 see iron salts fibril a small fibre fibrillose covered with small fibres filiform thread-like fimbriate fringed flexuose, flexuous undulating floccose cottony, covered with cottony tufts free (of gills) not connected to stem, e.g. Amanita muscaria fugacious short-lived, fleeting fusiform spindle-shaped, narrowing at both ends fusoid somewhat spindle-shaped Gasteromycetes a large, diverse group within the Basidiomycetes, characterized by the basidiospores maturing within the fruit body; includes puffballs, earth stars, stinkhorns, and bird’s-nest fungi

generative hyphae thin-walled, branched hyphae with dividing cell walls, giving rise to other types of hyphae, e.g. binding hyphae germ-pore a differentiated area in a spore wall which may give rise to a germination tube glabrous smooth, hairless glandular dots moist, sticky spots on surface of stem gleba fleshy mycelial tissue that contains the spore-bearing cavities, present in Gasteromycetes gloeocystidia thin-walled cystidia with refractive, frequently granular contents granulate covered with tiny particles hyaline translucent or transparent, colourless hygrophanous becoming darker-coloured and appearing water-soaked when wet, drying paler hymeniform resembling a hymenium but lacking functional basidia hymenium spore-bearing surface hypha (plural hyphae) a single filament, the basic unit forming the fungus (adjective hyphal) immarginate without a distinct edge infundibuliform funnel-shaped innate inseparable, bedded in intercalary between two cells iodoform a crystalline compound of iodine, used as an antiseptic, with a distinctive smell (iodine) iron salts FeSO4 solution or crystal applied to Russula stems may give significant colour change. KOH potassium hydroxide: a 10% aqueous solution lageniform shaped like a narrow-necked flask lanceolate elongate and tapering towards both ends latex a milky, usually white juice exuded by the gills of lactarius species when cut or broken marginate (bulb) having a well-defined edge, e.g. Cortinarius amoenolens merulioid with pits or shallow tubes milk a milky, usually white juice exuded by the gills of Lactarius species when cut or broken monomitic having only one kind of hyphae Melzer’s reagent 1.5g iodine, 5g potassium iodide + 100g chloral hydrate dissolved in 100ml warm, distilled water. When added to a mass of spores a blue-black colour change is a positive amyloid reaction, a reddish-brown colour change is a positive dextrinoid reaction. mucronate with a short, sharp point

mycelium (plural mycelia) vegetative stage of a fungus, comprising a thread-like to felt-like mass NaOH sodium hydroxide: a 10% aqueous solution palmate having lobes radiating from a central point, like fingers on a hand papillate having a small, nipple-like protuberance paraphyses sterile hyphal filaments interspersed between the asci partial veil see veil pedicel a small stalk pellicle a detachable skin-like cuticle peridioles pea-shaped structures containing the spores perithecia flask-shaped spore-producing chambers found in some Ascomycetes phenol used as a 2% aqueous solution pleurocystidia cystidia on gill sides pore (of boletes or polypores) mouth of a tube pruinose having a flour-like dusting punctate minutely dotted or pitted pyriform pear-shaped recurved bent back reflexed turned sharply back or up repent creeping or prostrate resupinate lying flat on the substrate, with the spore-producing layer outwards reticulum a network of raised ridges found on surface of the stem or spores of some mushrooms rhizoid root-like structure rhizomorph cord-like structure comprising a mass of hyphae ring remains of partial veil (see veil) ring zone faint mark where ring has been saccate bag-like sclerotium (plural sclerotia) firm, rounded mass of hyphae, often giving rise to a fruit body scurfy surface covered with tiny flakes or scales sensu in the sense of: sensu auct., sensu auct. mult., in the sense of (many) authors; sensu lato, in the broad sense septate divided by cell walls septum (plural septa) a dividing cell wall sessile without a stem seta (plural setae) a stiff hair or bristle silver nitrate used as a solution of 1g in 10ml of water (note this is light-sensitive) sinuate (of gills) notched just before joining the stem, e.g. Hebeloma crustuliniforme sphaerocyst a globose cell

sphaeropedunculate a cystidium swollen spherically at the tip and tapering into an elongated stalk spinulose finely spiny spore general term for the reproductive unit of a fungus, usually consisting of a single cell which may germinate to produce a hypha from which a new mycelium arises (see ascospore, basidiospore) spore print deposit of spores from a cap placed on a sheet of paper or glass sporulating producing spores squamous, squamulose having small scales squamule a small scale stellate star-like striate with fine lines stuffed having a cavity loosely filled with fibres sub- (prefix) not quite, somewhat, e.g. subglobose, almost spherical sub lente (literally under a lens) observed through a magnifying lens sulcate grooved SV sulpho-vanillin: a few crystals of vanilla dissolved in 2ml conc. sulphuric acid +2ml distilled water to give a yellow solution. A drop placed on a Russula stem discolours violet-purplish in most cases, carmine in other species. tomentum thick, matted covering of soft hairs (adjective tomentose) trimitic having three kinds of hyphae tuberculate with small, wart-like nodules tubes spore-producing layer in certain fungi, e.g. Boletus pinophilus umbo a central hump on a cap, like a shield boss umbonate having an umbo universal veil see veil utriform bag- or bladder-like veil protective tissue enclosing the developing fruit body: universal veil encloses the whole developing fruit body; partial veil (of agarics and certain boletes) joins the edge of the cap to the stem, enclosing the developing spore-producing surface and in some genera later forming the ring or cortina (adjective velar) ventricose inflated or swollen vermiform worm-like verrucose with small, rounded warts vesicle small bladder-like sac (adjective vesicular) vesiculose formed of vesicles vinaceous wine-coloured volva cup-like bag enclosing stem base in some agarics; the remains of the universal veil

Basidiomycetes The Spore Droppers

All the species in this section form their spores on cells on the gills or tubes called basidia. When mature, the spores simply drop off and are generally distributed by wind. This group contains almost all the typically mushroom-shaped fungi, with gills or pores and central stems. They are ordered by spore colour, starting with the whiteand cream-spored agarics, then mushrooms with pink, brown, and black spores. The gilled mushrooms are followed by the fungi with pores and tubes, first the boletes, then the polypores and crusts. Following these are the fungi with spines, then puffballs, club and coral fungi, and finally the jelly fungi group.

Pleurotus ostreatus

RUSSULA The Russulas or Brittlegills are a genus of gilled mushrooms that have simple stems without ring or volva. Many Russulas are brightly coloured, with red, purple, yellow, or green caps. These can be convex when young, becoming flat or funnel-shaped with age. One simple characteristic that helps identify a Russula is that the flesh of the whole mushroom is granular and will break easily, like a sugar lump. The gills have a very neat, geometric look and are brittle, hence the common name Brittlegill; they vary in colour from white to egg-yolk yellow. Note the taste; they may be hot, bitter, or mild, and a few have interesting smells. Check the amount that the cap peels. To aid identification make a spore print overnight, then scrape together the spores to form a thick layer and note the colour. Some species are edible and good to eat, but many are very bitter or hot to taste and therefore inedible.

A collection of Russulas illustrating the wide range of cap colours within the genus

The Sickener Russula emetica

(Schaeff.) Pers. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, later flattening or with a shallow depression, margin often furrowed when old; scarlet, cherry-, or blood-red, sometimes with ochre tint to the white areas; somewhat thin-fleshed, fragile, shiny, sticky when moist; easily peeling to show pink to red flesh beneath. Stem 40–90×7–20mm, cylindrical or more usually somewhat swollen towards the base; white; fragile. Flesh white, red immediately beneath cap cuticle; taste very hot, smell slightly fruity. Gills adnexed to free; cream then pale straw. Spores 9–11×7.5–8.5µ, broadly ovate; large warts, 1.2µ high, connected by fine lines to form a large-meshed, almost complete network. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia mostly narrowly club-shaped, with 0–1 septa. Habitat with pines; summer to late autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Bloody Brittlegill Russula sanguinaria

(Schumach.) Rauschert, syn. Russula sanguinea Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, convex, later flattening or saucer-shaped; blood- to purplish-red or rose, often with whitish areas; fleshy, rigid, or even hard; surface soon dry and matt, rough or veined; peeling at margin only. Stem 40–100×10–30mm; white, pink or red; firm. Flesh white; taste slightly to moderately hot, also sometimes bitter. Gills adnate-decurrent, narrow, forking or with cross-connections; cream or pale ochre. Spores 7–10×6–8µ, ovate; warts up to 1µ high, with very few connecting lines. Spore print pale to deep cream (C–F). Cap cystidia cylindrical to narrowly club-shaped, often teat-ended, with 0–2 septa, somewhat poorly reacting to SV. Habitat with conifers; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Scarlet Brittlegill Russula pseudointegra

Arnaud & Goris. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, later flattening; scarlet-red to coral, sometimes with cream or whitish areas; fleshy, slightly sticky at first, later dry, sometimes slightly powdered; one- to two-thirds peeling. Stem 30–70×15–30mm; white. Flesh white; taste slightly bitter, eventually with a suggestion of hotness, smell slightly of geranium with a touch of menthol. Gills free; pale golden-yellow to saffron. Spores 7–9×6.5–8µ, subglobose; warts up to 0.7µ high, some isolated, mainly joined by fine lines to form a rather incomplete network. Spore print pale ochre (F–G). Cap cystidia absent; long, rather wide hyphae with encrustations staining in fuchsin abundant. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially oak on clay soils; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but bitter.

Rosy Brittlegill Russula rosea

Pers. syn. R. lepida Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, later flattening or slightly depressed; red, often paler and white or yellowish-white in places or occasionally entirely; fleshy, hard; surface matt, dry, sometimes as if powdered; hardly peeling. Stem 30–70×15–35mm, often club-shaped or swollen slightly in the middle; white or flushed pink or red in part or entirely; powdered. Flesh white; taste mild, of cedarwood pencils, sometimes bitter, smell slightly fruity with a suggestion of menthol. Gills almost free; pale cream. Spores 8–9×7–8µ, almost globose; warts up to 0.5µ high, joined by lines and ridges to form a well-developed network. Spore print pale cream (B–C). Cap cystidia frequent, cylindrical, tapering, spindle-shaped or narrow club-shaped, not reacting with SV; hyphae staining in fuchsin also present, but granules that stain are rather sparse and scattered. Habitat with deciduous trees, especially beech; summer to early autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note it is a pity this well-known Russula has to change its name.

Russula aquosa

Leclair Cap 3–7cm across, flattened convex or with a depression, margin finally furrowed and slightly warty-lumpy; lilac, tinted red to palish cherry-red, often brownish in the centre, frequently pale coloured; watery and thin-fleshed, sticky when moist, very fragile; two-thirds to completely peeling. Stem 40–95×10–22mm, narrowing markedly towards the apex; white, usually watery in appearance, often tinged brown, yellow, or grey; very fragile. Flesh white; taste very slightly hot, smell faint, suggesting coconut, iodine, or radish. Gills almost free, well-spaced; dirty white. Spores 7–8.5×6–7µ, ovate; warts up to 0.7µ high, joined by fine lines to form a partial network. Spore print slightly creamy white (A). Cap cystidia narrowly clubshaped, without septa. Habitat in damp places near water or marshy places with mosses; summer to autumn. Uncommon (on Red Data List). Unknown edibility, but of no culinary interest.

Russula roseipes

Secr. ex Bres. Cap 4–7cm across, convex then flatter with a central depression; rosy pink to orange-rose, often with tiny whitish spots, fading with age; dry, dull, pruinose. Stem 30–60×7–12mm, clavate; white speckled with rose-pink. Flesh white; soft; taste mild, smell pleasant. Gills subdistant; white. Spores 7.5–9.5×6–8µ, ovate; warts below 0.5µ high. Spore print deep yellow (E–F). Habitat with deciduous trees, normally in mountains; summer to early autumn. Very rare in Britain. Edible.

Russula rhodopus

Zvàra Cap 3–10cm across, convex; blood-red to deep garnet-red or even brownishred; fleshy, very viscid and shiny as if lacquered; easily peeling. Stem 30–80×10– 25mm, equal; white, flushed red or pink, often only on lower half. Flesh white; taste mild, smell weak, fruity. Gills rather crowded, narrow; pale cream to yellowish. Spores 7.5–9.5×6.7–7µ, broadly ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, with a partial to complete reticulum. Spore print pale ochre-yellow (D–E). Habitat with spruce, usually in damp places; autumn. Uncommon in Europe, not yet recorded from Britain. Unknown edibility.

Gilded Brittlegill Russula aurea

Pers. syn. R. aurata (With.) Fr. Cap 4–9cm across, globose at first, then flattening and finally with a depression, margin often furrowed when mature; scarlet-red, brownishcoral, blood-coloured, or reddish-orange, often partly or entirely golden-yellow; fleshy, firm, sticky when moist, smooth; half peeling. Stem 30–80×10–25mm, cylindrical to somewhat club-shaped, often somewhat irregular; white to pale yellow to pale golden-yellow; firm then soft, smooth. Flesh taste mild. Gills adnexed-free, broad, fairly widely spaced, connected by veins at their bases; pale ochre, edge often yellow. Spores 7.5–9×6–8µ, globose-ovate; conical warts up to 0.7–1.5µ high, with thin to thick connecting ridges forming a partial network enclosing a few meshes. Spore print ochre (H). Cap hyphae tapering, cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or slightly club-shaped, with shortish cells; dermatocystidia and hyphae staining in fuchsin absent. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Beechwood Sickener Russula nobilis

Velen, syn. R. mairei Singer Cap 3–9cm across, convex, later flattening; red or pink to entirely white; typically rather firm and thick-fleshed; one-third peeling, to show pink flesh. Stem 25–45×10–15mm, white, cylindrical, rarely club-shaped, usually hard. Flesh white, pink under cap cuticle; taste hot, smell of coconut when young. Gills adnexed, rounded, closely spaced at first; white with greenish tinge, later cream. Spores 7–8×6–6.5µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, joined by thin lines to form a welldeveloped network with small meshes. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia mostly club-shaped with up to two septa, strongly reacting to SV. Habitat with beech; autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Russula luteotacta

Rea Cap 3–8cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression to shallowly funnelshaped; red or pink, often with white areas; soon dry, matt; hardly peeling. Stem 30– 70×5–15mm, club-shaped or narrowing upwards; white or tinted pink in places to completely red. Flesh white; taste hot, smell slight, fragrant, sometimes suggesting coconut. Gills usually slightly but distinctly decurrent, narrow; pale cream. All parts can turn bright yellow on bruising, but often only after several hours. Spores 7–9×6– 7.5µ; warts up to 0.7µ high, mostly isolated, very occasionally joined by fine lines. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or narrowly clubshaped; cap surface hyphae cylindrical or tapering. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially on wet clay; summer to autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Birch Brittlegill Russula betularum

Hora Cap 2–5cm across, flattened convex, often with a central depression, margin becoming furrowed and with small, low warts; deep rose or pink, but often paler, pale dull golden-yellow to yellowish-buff at the centre or even entirely so; sticky when moist, thin-fleshed, fragile; completely peeling. Stem 25–65×5–10mm, cylindrical or narrow club-shaped, longer than the cap diameter; white; fragile. Flesh white; taste hot. Gills almost free, rather well-spaced, margin sometimes with small nicks; white. Spores 8–10×7.5–8µ, ovate; warts 0.5–0.7µ high, joined by fine lines to form a welldeveloped but incomplete network. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia cylindrical to strongly club-shaped, with 0–2 septa. Habitat with birch, often in damp places; summer to early autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Russula fragilis

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, convex, then flattening or depressed; variable in colour, usually purplish or violet-tinted and rather pale, or purplish-red, purple-violet, olivegreenish, even lemon-yellow, often with combinations of these, with a darker, paler, or olive-tinted centre; thin-fleshed, usually delicate and fragile; three-quarters peeling. Stem 25–60×5–15mm, cylindrical to slightly club-shaped; white. Flesh white; taste very hot, smell slightly fruity. Gills adnexed, with tiny nicks along their edges; white to very pale cream. Spores 7.5–9×6–8µ, somewhat globose; warts up to 0.5µ high, joined by fine lines to form an almost complete network. Spore print whitish (A–B). Cap cystidia cylindrical to club-shaped, with 0–2 septa, reacting strongly with SV. Habitat with broad-leaved trees or conifers; late summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Russula maculata

Quél. & Roze Cap 4–10cm across, convex, soon flattening and depressed, margin eventually furrowed; coral to pale pink, sometimes almost orange, often cream in part, especially the centre, frequently with rusty spots; peeling at the margin only. Stem 30–90×10–35mm; white, sometimes tinted pink, rusty spotted, becoming brown. Flesh white; taste sometimes hot, rarely mild, smell fragrant, of cedarwood. Gills adnexed-free, forked, connected by veins at their bases; palish ochre. Spores 8–10×7– 9µ, subglobose to ovate; warts up to 1.2µ high, isolated or mostly joined by lines to form a rather incomplete network. Spore print pale ochre to ochre (G–H). Cap cystidia abundant, cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or slightly club-shaped, without septa, reacting with SV. Cap surface hyphae tapering, cylindrical, or swollen at the tip. Habitat with deciduous trees; summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Dawn Brittlegill Russula aurora

Krombh. syn. R. rosea Quél. Cap 4–9cm across, convex, later flattening; red or pink, usually cream in the centre or entirely so; moderately thick-fleshed, moderately firm, dry, shiny or matt, sometimes powdered; at most half peeling. Stem 40–70×10– 20mm; white, surface carmine with SV, especially when dry (distinguishes this species); fairly fragile to somewhat firm, powdered at first, especially above. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills nearly free, abundantly forked especially near stem; pale cream. Spores 6–8×5–6.5µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, with few connecting lines, no network. Spore print pale cream (B). Cap cystidia absent; narrow hyphae with encrustations staining in fuchsin present. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Said to be edible. Note another possible name is R. velutipes Velen.

Purple Brittlegill Russula atropurpurea

(Krombh.) Britzelm. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, later flattening and with a slight depression; usually deep purplish-red with a darker, often almost black centre, at times variously mottled with yellowish- or brownish-cream; sticky when moist. Stem 30–60×10–20mm; white, often becoming greyish with age; fairly firm at first, later softer and easily broken. Flesh white; taste from almost mild to moderately hot, smell slightly fruity, reminiscent of apples. Gills adnexed, closely spaced, fairly broad; palish cream. Spores 7–9×6–7µ, ovate; warts joined by fine ridges to form a welldeveloped but not quite complete network. Spore print whitish (A–B). Cap cystidia abundant, cylindrical to somewhat club-shaped, without septa. Habitat usually with oak or beech, less commonly conifers; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible if cooked. Note although the name R. atropurpurea is accepted to be incorrect, none of the proposed changes (such as R. krombholzii) has been found to be acceptable by many mycologists.

Russula cessans

A. Pearson Cap 3–8cm across, soon flattened; deep crimson to purplish-red, often darker at the centre; dry, smooth; half peeling. Stem 30–50×10–20mm, equal; white. Flesh white; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills fairly close; pale ochre. Spores 8– 9×7–8µ, broadly ovate; warts 0.6–1µ high, many connections forming a partial reticulation. Spore print deep ochre (G). Habitat with pines, especially on sandy soil; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula viscida

Kudřna Cap 5.5–13.5cm across, convex; blackish-purple, sometimes with olivaceous tints; fleshy, firm; hardly peeling. Stem 35–75×12–30mm, equal; white, flushed rose or reddish in part. Flesh white; thick, firm; taste mild to a little hot; smell pleasant, sweet, like honey. Gills rather close, strongly interveined; white to pale ivory. Spores 7.5–11×6.5–9.5µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, with irregular connectives forming a light reticulum. Spore print cream (C–E). Habitat with conifers; late summer to autumn. Very rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula torulosa

Bres. Cap 3–7.5cm across, convex; fleshy, firm, purple-violet to reddish-purple; hardly peeling. Stem 30–60×8–18mm, equal; a lovely purple-violet. Flesh white with purple near the cuticle; thick, firm; taste slightly bitter, smell pleasant, slightly fruity, of apple. Gills rather close; white. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–7µ, ovate; warts low, 5µ high, connectives irregular and not forming a reticulum. Spore print clear light ochre (E–F). Habitat with conifers; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula paludosa

Britzelm. Cap 4–14cm across, convex, later flattening and with a depression; red, blood-red, scarlet-red, bay, apricot or ochre, sometimes with paler areas; fleshy, firm, slightly sticky when moist; half to three-quarters peeling. Stem 40–150×10–32mm, cylindrical, narrow club-shaped or swollen in the middle; white or tinged pink in part or entirely. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills adnexed, connected by veins at their bases; rather pale creamy golden-yellow. Spores 8–10.5×7–8µ, ovate or elliptical; warts up to 0.7–1.2µ high, joined by lines to form a somewhat incomplete network. Spore print deep cream (E–F). Cap cystidia sparse, cylindrical, without septa, with a few granules staining in fuchsin, moderately reacting to SV. Habitat with conifers; early summer to early autumn. Occasional in Scotland, rare elsewhere. Edible.

Russula laccata

Huijsman syn. R. norvegica D.A. Reid formerly misdetermined in Britain as R. alpina Cap 2–5cm across, hemispherical, later more or less flat; purple-black at first, later violet-purple to wine-purple or purplish-red; as if powdered at first then sticky when moist; half peeling. Stem 10–27×3–8mm, cylindrical to club-shaped; white; becoming furrowed or longitudinally wrinkled. Flesh white; taste burning hot. Gills rounded, sinuate, fairly closely spaced, margin entire; white or whitish. Spores 7.5–11×5.5– 7.5µ; ovate-elliptical; warts up to 0.7–1.0µ high, mostly connected by fine lines, often forming a more or less complete network with many small meshes. Spore print pale cream (B). Cap surface with abundant dermatocystidia, mostly club-shaped, often with one, sometimes more septa, strongly reacting with SV. Habitat with dwarf willow above the treeline on Scottish mountains; summer to early autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible. Note Henrici (2002) in his comments notes that there is no type collection, which makes the name R. norvegica invalid; Snari (1998) refers to this fungus as an upland form of R. laccata.

Darkening Brittlegill Russula vinosa

Lindblad syn. R. obscura (Romel) Peck Cap 5–14cm across, convex, soon flattening or with a depression, margin furrowed when old; purplish-red to wine-coloured, centre often brownish; fleshy; up to two-thirds peeling. Stem 60–120×10–35mm; white, occasionally tinted greyish-rose. Flesh white, becoming pink on exposure to air and finally blackish; taste mild. Gills adnexed, fairly widely spaced, with connecting veins at their bases; dull golden-yellow, all parts greying or blackening. Spores 8– 11.5×6.5–9µ, ovate; small, isolated spines up to 0.5µ high, no fine lines. Spore print deep cream (E or F). Cap cystidia absent; hyphae with encrustations staining in fuchsin present. Habitat with conifers; summer to autumn. Confined to the Scottish Highlands and uncommon there. Vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Humpback Brittlegill Russula caerulea

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, almost conical at first, later with a pointed to broad umbo (rarely absent), margin finally furrowed; livid violet, dark livid, dark winecoloured or chestnut; hardly sticky when wet, fairly fleshy; one-quarter to two-thirds peeling. Stem 40–90×10–20mm, narrow, club-shaped; white; firm. Flesh white; taste mild but cap skin bitter. Gills adnexed to almost free, somewhat closely spaced at first; pale ochre. Spores 8–10×7–9µ, ovate; warts or spines up to 1–1.2µ high, some isolated, others joined in chains or by a few fine lines to form at most a rather scanty network with 0–2 meshes. Spore print palish ochre (G). Cap surface without cystidia; scattered hyphae with sparse encrustations staining in fuchsin. Habitat with pine; summer to autumn. Frequent where pines occur. Edible.

Russula turci

Bres. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, soon flattening and with a depression; mauve, dark or dull purple, wine-coloured, bay or dark fawn, paling in places; fleshy, sticky or even glutinous when moist, drying matt and often powdered; one-third peeling. Stem 30–70×10–25mm, narrowly club-shaped or cylindrical; white, rarely tinged rose, becoming dirty or brownish. Flesh white; taste mild, smell of iodoform at stem base. Gills adnexed, with connecting veins at their bases; saffron. Spores 7–9×6–8µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, mostly joined by fine lines or ridges to form a well-developed network. Spore print pale ochre (G). Cap cystidia absent; hyphae with encrustations staining with fuchsin abundant. Habitat with conifers; early summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Russula vinosobrunnea

(Bres.) Romagn. Cap 5–12cm across, convex then flat or funnel-shaped; deep purplebrown to blackish-purple or even olivaceous; fleshy, firm; hardly peeling. Stem 35– 75×12–30mm, equal; white, flushed rose or reddish-brown, especially near the base. Flesh white; thick, firm; taste mild, smell pleasant, slightly fruity. Gills rather close, strongly interveined; yellow-ochre, edge often purple. Spores 7–10×6–8µ, ovate; warts up to 1.5µ high, with irregular connectives, rarely forming a reticulum. Spore print clear ochre (F–G). Habitat in mixed woodland; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Edible.

Primrose Brittlegill Russula sardonia

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, later flattening and with a depression; violet-, purplish- or brownish-red, greenish or ochre, to yellowish; hard; shortly peeling only. Stem 30–80×10–15mm; sometimes white but usually entirely pale lilac to greyishrose; firm, surface as if powdered. Flesh white; taste very hot, smell slightly fruity. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent, narrow; at first primrose, later pale golden-yellow. Gills and flesh reacting rose with ammonia (distinguishes this species). Spores 7– 9×6–8µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, joined into ridges or by fine lines to form a rather poorly developed network. Spore print cream (C–F). Cap cystidia spindleshaped or cylindrical, without septa, strongly reacting to SV. Habitat with pine; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Russula carpini

R. Girard & Heinem. Cap 5–12cm across, convex; olivaceous, often with brownishpurple or yellowish tints; fleshy, firm; hardly peeling. Stem 35–65×12–25mm, equal; white, sometimes yellowish when touched. Flesh white; thick, a little fragile; taste mild, smell pleasant, slightly fruity. Gills rather close, strongly interveined; yellowochre. Spores 7–10×6.5–8µ, ovate; warts up to 1µ high, connectives irregular, rarely forming a reticulum. Spore print golden-yellow (D). Habitat mixed woods; summer to early autumn. Very rare in Britain. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Yellowing Brittlegill Russula puellaris

Fr. Cap 2.5–5cm across, convex then flattened and centrally depressed, margin furrowed; dull purple, wine-coloured, dull red, bay, or brick, or washed-out versions of these colours, often minutely spotted with darker colour, often darker in the centre; thin-fleshed, sticky when moist; half to two-thirds peeling. Stem 20–65×5–15mm, cylindrical or narrowly club-shaped; white; easily broken. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills adnexed-free, pale ochre; all parts becoming or bruising pale ochre. Spores 6.5– 9×5.5–7µ, ovate; warts up to 1.2µ high, mostly isolated, fine lines absent or very few. Spore print deepish cream (D–E). Cap cystidia numerous, mostly club-shaped, with 0–1 septa. Habitat with broad-leaved trees or conifers; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Purple Swamp Brittlegill Russula nitida

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, convex then flattening or with a depression, margin usually strongly furrowed; variable in colour, purplish to red hues, or often rather pale, washed-out colours, greyish-rose, wine, buff, or greenish, the latter often in the centre with the margin reddish or purplish; thin-fleshed, fragile; up to two-thirds peeling. Stem 20–90×5–20mm, narrow club-shaped; white or rose-tinted; fairly firm to fragile. Flesh white; taste mild or very slightly hot. Gills adnexed-free, fairly widely spaced and allowing the connecting veins at their bases to be seen easily; straw. Spores 8–11×6–9µ, ovate; spines to 0.7µ or more high, fine lines absent or nearly so. Spore print pale ochre (E–G). Cap cystidia abundant, cylindrical or narrowly club-shaped, with 0–1 septa, strongly reacting to SV. Habitat with birch, especially in damp places; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Russula ruberrima

Romagn. Cap 4.5–5.5cm across, convex; clear reddish-purple, the centre often blackish-purple; fleshy, firm; easily peeling. Stem 50–65×15–25mm, equal; white, greyish at the base. Flesh white; thick, firm; taste completely mild, smell pleasant, slightly mealy. Gills strongly interveined; white for a long time then yellow-ochre. Spores 7–8.5×6–7µ, almost spherical; warts up to 1µ high, connectives irregular, rarely forming a reticulum. Spore print yellowish (H). Habitat in mixed woods especially with birch; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Crab Brittlegill Russula xerampelina

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 5–14 cm across, convex, later flattening and with a depression, margin eventually furrowed; colours very varied, often mixed, dull purples, reds, wine-coloured; moderately firm, sometimes hard, soon dry and matt; at most onequarter peeling. Stem 30–110×10–30mm; white or tinted rose, staining honey to brownish-ochre, especially on bruising, reacting dull green when rubbed with iron salts; firm to hard. Flesh white; taste mild, smell crab-like, especially with age. Gills adnexed, fairly broad and thick, connected by veins at their bases; pale to medium ochre. Spores 8–11×6.5–9µ, ovate; warts up to 1.2µ high, lines none or few, occasionally enclosing a mesh. Spore print deep cream to pale ochre (E–F). Cap cystidia infrequent, mostly narrow, not reacting to SV; cap hyphae with terminal cells sometimes club-shaped, these and the supporting cells inflated. Habitat with broadleaved trees, especially beech and oak; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible. Note this is an unresolved complex, which is divided by some authorities into a number of different species and varieties. Some of the specimens shown under this name in my first book have now been moved to follow updated nomenclature (R. langei here, R. graveolens here). In my first book I named the laid-out collection (a) as R. erythropus. Note field photograph (d) was taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula zvarae

Velen. Cap 5–7cm across, convex; deep red, fading or washing lighter in wet weather; fleshy; hardly peeling. Stem 40–75×1–20mm, equal or narrower at the base; white, flushed rose or pink. Flesh white, pink with the cuticle; thick, firm but not hard; taste mild, smell pleasant, slightly fruity. Gills, strongly interveined; milkywhite. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–6.5µ, ovate; warts low, to 0.5µ high, connectives irregular, not forming a reticulum. Spore print whitish (B). Habitat with mixed woods; summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula odorata

Romagn. Cap 3–5cm across, becoming flat, soon depressed, margin sulcate; dull purplish-brown, colour soon washing out in wet conditions to vinaceous-ochre; fragile; peeling almost completely. Stem 25–80×10mm; white, bruising slightly yellow; fragile. Flesh white; taste mild to slightly hot; smell aromatic, fruity to most people. Gills thin, strongly interveined; ochre-yellow. Spores 6.7–8.5×5.7–7µ, ovate; warts up to 1µ high, with partial reticulum. Spore print deep ochre (G–H). Habitat in broad-leaved woods, mainly oak; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Russula intermedia

P. Karst. syn. R. lundellii Singer Cap 8–15cm across, convex, later flattening or with a depression; orange-scarlet, blood-coloured, yellowish-bay, reddish-rust, brownishapricot, or deep rosy wine-coloured, sometimes with ochre or yellowish areas; rather firm to almost hard, very fleshy, sticky when moist; one-third peeling. Stem 80– 100×20–30mm; white, rarely tinted dull purplish, browning slightly on handling; hard. Flesh white; taste bitter and more or less hot. Gills adnexed, connected by veins at their bases; deep saffron. Spores 7–8×6.5–7µ, somewhat globose; warts up to 0.7– 1µ high, isolated, no lines. Spore print ochre (H). Cap cystidia sparse, cylindrical, reacting with SV. Habitat with birch; summer to early autumn. Uncommon; mainly Scottish, but also recorded from southern England. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Russula brunneoviolacea

Crawshay Cap 3–7cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression, margin becoming furrowed; livid violet, livid purple to dark wine-coloured, or browner; somewhat brittle; three-quarters peeling. Stem 30–60×7–15mm, cylindrical or narrowly club-shaped; white, with brown stains; soft, brittle. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills almost free; cream. Spores 7–9×6–7.5µ, ovate; spines 1–2.2µ high, only a few connected by fine lines. Spore print cream (C–E). Cap cystidia cylindrical to clubshaped, with 0–3 septa; cap surface hyphae tapering. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially oak; summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Bare-toothed Brittlegill, the Flirt Russula vesca

Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, somewhat globose at first, later flattened convex; rather variable in colour, often with pastel tints, from dark or pale wine-coloured to buff, sometimes with olive or greenish tints; fleshy, firm; half peeling, tending to retreat from the margin and leave the underlying flesh visible. Stem 30–100×15–25mm, often with somewhat pointed base; white; rather hard. Flesh white; taste mild, nutty. Gills adnexed, rather closely spaced, narrow, forked, especially near stem; whitish to very pale cream, gills and stem surface rapidly deep salmon when rubbed with an iron salt. Spores 6–8×5–6µ, ovate; small warts up to 0.5µ high, very occasionally with short lines attached or joining pairs. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia cylindrical or spindle-shaped, without septa, hardly reacting to SV; cap hyphae with cylindrical or tapering terminal cells or sometimes a long, tapering, thick-walled hair; supporting cells rectangular. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to autumn. Common. Edible.

Russula elegans

Bres. Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex; brown to reddish-cerise; rather fragile; hardly peeling. Stem 25–55×7–15mm, equal; white, marking brownish at the base and when damaged. Flesh white; fragile; taste mild, smell pleasant, slightly fruity. Gills rather close, interveined; light cream. Spores 7–8.5×6–7.5µ, ovate; warts low, up to 0.5µ, connectives irregular, rarely forming a reticulum. Spore print creamy yellow (G). Habitat in mixed woodland; summer to early autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula curtipes

F. H. Møller & Jul. Schäff. Cap 3–10cm across, convex to flattened then depressed; reddish-brown to walnut-brown or ochre, often concentrically pigmented, centre may be paler; surface dull; up to half peeling. Stem 30–50×10–15mm, shorter than cap diameter; white, browning slightly from the base. Flesh white; hard; taste and smell mild. Gills fairly close, broad; ochre-yellowish. Spores 7–9.5×6–7.5µ, elliptical; low, blunt warts and a partial network. Spore print deep ochre (F–H). Habitat with beeches; late summer to autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Russula integra

(L) Fr. Cap large, 5–15cm across, strongly convex, later flattening, margin finally furrowed; blood-coloured, livid red, pale to dark wine-coloured, umber, or sepia, often with browner to buff centre; firm, fleshy, sticky when moist; half peeling. Stem 30– 90×15–30mm; white, browning; firm. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills almost free, saffron. Spores 9–11×7–9.5µ, ovate; isolated spines, no lines. Spore print ochre (G– H). Cap cystidia numerous, cylindrical or narrowly club-shaped, without septa, moderately reacting with SV. Cap hyphae finely tapering, some with granules staining in fuchsin. Habitat with conifers; late summer to autumn. Occasional in the Scottish Highlands. Edible. Note in my first book I named this mushroom R. polychroma.

Russula seperina

Dupain Cap 5–10cm across; purplish-red to ochraceous at the centre, margin striate; smooth; half peeling. Stem 50–60×10–20mm; white, bruising pinkish-red then black. Flesh white, reddening then grey or black; taste mild, smell slightly fishy. Gills close; pale ochre, blackening. Spores 8–9.5×6.7–8µ, elliptical; warts 0.5–1µ high, with well-developed connectives. Spore print deep ochre (G–H). Habitat in mixed woods; summer to early autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note these caps are very young and rather pale, the more normal colour is purplish-red; however the flesh shows that it reddens when bruised and turns black.

Russula alnetorum

Romagn. Cap 1.5–4cm across, convex to flat then funnel-shaped; deep purplevinaceous, fading and bleaching to pale mauve in the wet; fragile; peeling almost completely. Stem 20–40×5–10mm, equal; white, sometimes flushed yellowish or reddish at the base, discolouring with age. Flesh white; fragile; taste mild, smell slight. Gills some full with intermediates, strongly interveined, edges slightly toothed; pale ivory white. Spores 7–8.5×6–6.5µ, ovate; warts up to 1.5µ high, connectives irregular, forming a slight reticulum. Spore print white (A–B). Habitat in mixed woodland; late summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula amarissima

Romagn. & E.-J. Gilbert. Cap 5–14cm across, rounded then convex; red, darkish, sometimes with ochre tints or even cinnamon; fleshy, firm; hardly peeling. Stem 45– 100×16–36mm, equal; white, flushed pink or pinkish-vinaceous in part, sometimes with brownish marks; hard, spongy in the centre. Flesh white; thick, firm; smell pleasant, slightly of flour, taste very bitter. Gills rather close, strongly interveined; white, edges near the stem discolouring reddish. Spores 7–9×6.5–8µ, ovate; warts up to 1.5µ high, connectives irregular, rarely forming a reticulum. Spore print pale cream (B). Habitat in mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Very rare on Red Data List. Not edible far too bitter to consider. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Bleached Brittlegill Russula exalbicans

(Pers.) Melzer & Zvára syn. R. pulchella I.G. Borshch. Cap 5–9cm across, convex, later flattening or with a depression; centre greenish-white or olive-buff with rose-red or dull wine-coloured margin, or entirely any of these colours; firm, fleshy, slightly

sticky when moist; half peeling. Stem 30–50×10–20mm; whitish, soon greyish, sometimes tinged pink. Flesh white; taste moderately hot. Gills adnexed, pale cream. Spores 8–10×6–7µ, elliptical; warts up to 0.7µ high, some isolated, some joined into ridges or by lines to form a fairly poorly developed network. Spore print deep cream (E–F). Cap cystidia cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or narrow club-shaped, occasionally with a septum. Habitat with birch; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but poor. Note photograph (c) by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula nauseosa

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–7cm across, convex, later flattening and finally with a shallow depression, margin often shallowly warty and furrowed; wine-coloured to red or often pale, washed-out colours, greyish-rose, pale brownish, dull yellowish, or tinged greenish; thin-fleshed, fragile; easily peeling. Stem 20–75×5–15mm, often narrow club-shaped; white, often tinged brownish or yellowish; often hollow, soft, fragile. Flesh white; taste mild or slightly hot. Gills almost free, thin, connected by veins at their bases; saffron. Spores 7–11×6–9µ, ovate-elliptical; warts up to 1.2µ high, isolated or occasionally with fine lines attached. Spore print pale ochre to ochre (G– H). Cap cystidia abundant, mainly club-shaped, with 0–2 septa. Habitat with conifers; late spring to early autumn. Uncommon. Edible but possibly best avoided due to its hot taste.

Variable Brittlegill Russula versicolor

Jul. Schäff. Cap 1.5–6cm across, soon flattened, margin usually sulcate, viscid when wet; usually pale, a mixture of colours including buff, greenish-yellow, pink, or vinaceous purple. Stem 20–50×10–30mm; dull white, staining yellowish-ochre; fragile; peeling almost fully. Flesh white; soft; smell pleasant, taste mild to rather hot. Gills pale ochre. Spores 6–8×4–6µ, subglobose; warts up to 0.6µ high, isolated or with a few connectives, sometimes even reticulate. Spore print medium yellow (E–F). Habitat in wet, boggy areas; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Olive Brittlegill Russula olivacea

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 6–16cm across, almost globose at first, later flattened or slightly depressed, often irregular, margin inrolled at first; varying considerably in colour from straw, pale ochre, or shades of olive or brown to dull purple or purplish-red; firm or hard, thick-fleshed; peeling up to one-third only. Stem 50–100×15–40mm; white, usually tinged rose or entirely so, yellowing slightly or browning around base, flesh livid purple with phenol solution; fairly hard. Flesh white; taste mild, nutty. Gills adnexed, forking and with cross-connections near stem; deep buff-straw. Spores 8– 11×7–9µ, ovate; warts up to 1.5µ high, not or occasionally joined by lines. Spore print ochre (G–H). Cap cystidia absent; hyphae with rectangular, barrel- or ampoule-shaped cells, the terminal one sometimes strongly inflated. Habitat with beech; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible. Note similar to R. alutacea (below).

Russula alutacea

(Fr.) Fr. Similar to R. olivacea (above), with the same livid purple reaction to phenol and the same type of microscopic structure of the cap surface; differs mainly in the sporal ornamentation. Cap 7–13cm across, livid purple, vinaceous, or purplish-brown, the centre often paler, straw-coloured, buff, olive, or greenish, these latter colours sometimes over the entire surface. Stem 30–100×15–40mm; white, often tinted rose but usually at the base only (in R. olivacea the top or the whole stem may be affected). Gills forking; deep buff-straw. Spores 8–10×6.5–8.5µ, ovate; rather low warts up to 0.8µ high, often joined by ridges to form a partial network, though with few or no meshes. Habitat in broad-leaved woods; early summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Variable Russula Russula cyanoxantha var. variata

(Ban. in Pk.) Singer. Cap 5–12cm across, convex then flattened, centre depressed; very variable in colour, shades of greenish-yellow or purple; dry to slightly greasy. Stem 30–100×10–30mm; white to dull cream; dry, dull, often wrinkled lengthwise. Flesh white, sometimes with touches of purple, hardly reacting to iron salts; hard, brittle; taste slightly hot after one minute, often acrid, smell like shellfish. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent, crowded, conspicuously forked; white. Spores 7–11.4×5.5–9.5µ, ovate; warts 0.3–1µ high, no reticulum present. Spore print white (A). Cap cystidia scattered, small, short, and narrow, ends slightly swollen. Habitat in oak woods; summer to autumn. Rare in Europe, not recorded for Britain. Edible. Note this is distinguished from R. heterophylla (here) by almost nil to slightly greenish reaction to iron salts on flesh.

Charcoal Burner Russula cyanoxantha

(Schaeff.) Fr. Fr. Cap 5–15cm across, first globose, later flattening to depressed at the centre; sometimes one colour but usually a mixture, dullish lilac, purplish, winecoloured, olive, greenish, or brownish, sometimes entirely green (sometimes separated into f. peltereaui Singer), with faint, branching veins radiating from centre; firm to hard, greasy when moist; half peeling. Stem 50–100×15–30mm; white, sometimes flushed purple; giving no or a slightly greenish reaction when rubbed with iron salts, not salmon as in most Russulas; hard. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent, whitish to very pale cream, rather narrow; oily to the touch, flexible, not brittle as in most Russulas, forked at times. Spores 7–9×6–7µ, broadly elliptical; low warts, up to 0.6µ high; fine lines absent. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia scattered, small, short and narrow (2–4µ), cylindrical, teat-ended. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible good.

Greasy Green Brittlegill Russula heterophylla

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, almost globose at first, later flattening and with a depression; various shades of green, brown, or even ochre or yellow (var. chlora); fairly firm, smooth or with radial branching veins. Stem 30–60×10–30mm, white, browning, firm; salmon when rubbed with an iron salt (this distinguishes it from R. cyanoxantha f. peltereaui, here). Flesh white; taste mild. Gills slightly decurrent at first, later adnexed, very closely spaced, thin; white to very pale cream; from somewhat flexible with an oily feel to somewhat brittle. Spores 5–7×4–6µ (smallest in genus), almost globose to elliptical or pear-shaped; warts 0.2–0.6µ high, mostly isolated, occasionally two to three joined together or connected by a line. Spore print whitish (A). Cap hyphae terminations tapering or sometimes prolonged into a narrow, thick-walled hair, supporting cells rectangular or inflated; cap cystidia club-shaped, cylindrical, spindle-shaped, or tapering. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Russula grisea

(Pers.) Fr. Rather similar to R. ionochlora (opposite), and only reliably distinguished by its microscopic characters. Cap 4–8cm across; colours rather more dingy, more dull brownish or greyish. Spores 6.5–8×5.5–6.5µ, elliptical; warts up to 0.9–1.2µ high, some joined in chains or by fine lines to form an incipient network and only rarely enclosing a mesh. Spore print cream (D), slightly deeper coloured than in R. ionochlora. Mainly distinguished by the terminal cells of the cap hyphae being long and narrow, cylindrical, or tapering, not short and broad as in R. ionochlora. Habitat mainly with beech; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Oilslick Brittlegill Russula ionochlora

Romagn. Cap 4.5–7cm across, convex, later flattening, often with low bosses and somewhat irregularly waved; pale coloured, typically a mixture of dull bluish or yellowish to ochraceous pale greens, often with greyish-lilac to pale wine border; moderately fleshy; half peeling. Stem 30–70×12–20mm; white or faintly tinged violet, salmon if rubbed with iron salts. Flesh white; taste distinctly hot when young, later mild. Gills almost free; pale cream. Spores 6.5–7.5×4.7–6µ, ovate; warts up to 0.5µ high, isolated or occasionally in short chains, no fine lines. Spore print pale cream (B–C). Cap cystidia mostly club-shaped, not septate. Cap surface hyphae with terminal cell usually broadly cylindrical with rounded ends; supporting cells rectangular to somewhat inflated. Habitat with beech; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible. Note rather similar to R. grisea (opposite).

Powdery Brittlegill Russula parazurea

Jul. Schäff. Cap 3–8cm across, convex then flattening; greyish, dark colours, olive, violet-grey, greyish-sepia, or chestnut, or tinged with dull green, wine, or violet; firm,

rather fleshy, sometimes greasy, usually matt, often as if powdered when dry; half to three-quarters peeling. Stem 30–70×7–20mm; white. Flesh white; taste mild or very slightly hot. Gills adnexed, often forked; pale buff. Spores 5.7–8.5×5–6.5µ, elliptical; warts up to 0.5µ high, some isolated but mostly joined by lines forming a moderately developed network. Spore print palish cream (C–D). Cap cystidia cylindrical to narrowly club-shaped, without septa, moderately reacting to SV. Cap hyphae with the terminal cell usually tapering and the supporting cells rectangular. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; early summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible. Note my collection is unusually green in colour. The field photograph (d) was taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Russula langei

Bon Cap 5–10cm across, convex at first, later depressed; purple, washing out to green; very firm; peeling up to a quarter. Stem 30–100×10–25mm; white with a pale but distinct pink flush. Flesh white, staining orange-brown, slowly green when rubbed with iron salts; solid; taste mild, smell crab-like, similar to R. xerampelina (here); Gills adnexed; white to medium ochre. Spores 7–9.5×6–7µ, broadly elliptical; warts small, up to 0.6µ, with no connective network. Spore print pale ochre (E–F). Habitat in broad-leaved woods; summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note I included this fungus in R. xerampelina in my first book. Kibby (2002) feels that this picture probably represents R. langei, a close relative of R. cyanoxantha (here), which also has a greenish reaction to iron salts, but this fungus has the distinct pinkish flush on the stem.

Velvet Brittlegill Russula violeipes

Quél. Cap 4–8cm across, somewhat globose at first then flattening and finally with a depression; straw, greenish-yellow (f. citrina) or olive tints, often in part or sometimes entirely livid red, livid purple, lilac, or wine-coloured; thick-fleshed, hard, powdered; hardly peeling. Stem 40–70×10–30mm; white, often tinged yellow, violet, purple, or wine-coloured; firm, often powdered, especially above. Flesh white; taste mild, smell slight, of shrimps when fresh. Gills slightly decurrent, pale buff-straw; greasy to the touch. Spores 6.5–9×6–8µ, ovate; warts 0.7–1µ high, joined by lines or ridges to form a fairly well-developed network. Spore print cream (C–D). No cap cystidia and very few on the gills, not reacting to SV; terminal cells of cap hyphae mostly tapering, supporting cells mostly inflated, sometimes balloon-shaped; gill margin fringed with tapering cells. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Russula graveolens

Romell. Cap 4–8cm across, convex to flattened; reddish-brown to walnut-brown or ochre, sometimes with hints of violet or carmine at margin; not peeling easily. Stem 40–80×10–25mm; white, staining yellow-brown when handled. Flesh white; firm; taste mild, smell fishy or crabmeat-like. Gills fairly crowded; pale ivory. Spores 7.5– 8.8×6.2–7.5µ, ovate; warts up to 1.1µ high, isolated; a large-spored variety has also been described. Spore print pale ochre (D–E). Habitat with deciduous trees; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible. Note this fungus was included in the R. xerampelina complex (see here) in my first book; when iron salts are applied, the typical dark green reaction of this group occurs.

Green Brittlegill Russula virescens

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 5–12cm across, globose, later convex, finally flattening and often wavy and lobed; verdigris to dull green, often ochre-buff to cream in places; surface breaking up into small, flattened, angular, scurfy scales; half peeling. Stem 40– 90×20–40mm; whitish to pale cream, browning slightly; firm, powdered above. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills almost free, with veins connecting the bases; cream; somewhat brittle. Spores 7–9×6–7µ, elliptical-ovate to somewhat globose; warts 0.2–0.5µ high, fine lines absent to fairly numerous and forming a fairly well-developed network. Spore print whitish to pale cream (A–B). Cap cystidia none; gill cystidia few, not or hardly reacting with SV; cap hyphae forming a loose, cellular layer of variously shaped or inflated cells, the terminal ones tapering. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially beech; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Green Brittlegill Russula aeruginea

Fr. Cap 4–9cm across, convex then flattening or depressed, margin often furrowed; grass-green, sometimes with yellowish or brownish tinges, without any violaceous tints, often with rusty spots, centre usually darker; smooth or radially veined; half peeling. Stem 40–80×7–20mm; white; fairly firm. Flesh white; taste mild to slightly hot. Gills almost free, usually forking; yellowish-buff. Spores 6–10×5–7µ, elliptical; rounded warts up to 0.6µ high, some joined by fine lines to form a very incomplete network with 0–2 meshes. Spore print cream (D–E). Cap surface hyphae with rectangular, not inflated, supporting cells; cystidia cylindrical to spindle-shaped, without septa. Habitat with birch; summer to early autumn. Common. Edible.

Slender Brittlegill Russula gracillima

Jul. Schäff Cap 2–6cm across, convex then flattening, sometimes with an umbo, margin eventually furrowed; typically with dull greenish or olive centre and pink margin, but also completely these colours, or pale, dull violet; thin-fleshed, fragile; one-third to a half peeling. Stem 35–70×5–10mm; white to greyish-rose; soft, fragile. Flesh white; taste slightly to moderately hot. Gills slightly decurrent, thin; pale cream. Spores 7–9×5–7µ, elliptical-ovate; warts up to 1µ high, with very few or no fine lines. Spore print pale cream to cream (C–D). Cap cystidia cylindrical to slightly clubshaped, up to 10µ wide, with 0–1 septa. Habitat with birch; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Yellow Swamp Brittlegill Russula claroflava

Grove Cap 4–10cm across, convex, later with a depression, margin finally furrowed; yellow to ochre-yellow; fairly fleshy, slightly sticky, shining, less so when dry; half peeling. Stem 40–100×10–20mm; white; soft but not fragile. Flesh white; taste mild or slightly hot. Gills adnexed to almost free; palish ochre, all parts becoming dark grey on bruising or when old. Spores 9–10×7.5–8µ, ovate; warts up to 1µ high, joined by numerous fine lines to form a fairly well-developed network. Spore print pale ochre (F). Cap surface without cystidia; numerous hyphae with encrustations staining in fuchsin present. Habitat with birch, especially where wet; autumn, sometimes late spring to early summer. Frequent. Edible good.

Golden Brittlegill Russula risigallina

(Batsch) Sacc. Cap 2–7cm across, convex, later flattening or with a saucer-shaped depression; often entirely golden- or egg-yolk yellow, but sometimes in part or entirely apricot, peach, flesh-coloured, or coral; thin-fleshed, rather fragile; threequarters to almost totally peeling. Stem 20–60×5–15mm, cylindrical or club-shaped; white; soft, fragile. Flesh white; taste mild, no smell when young, later fruity and suggesting apricots. Gills strongly interlined; deep saffron. Spores 7.5–9×6–8µ, ovate-elliptical; warts up to 1µ high, mostly isolated, very occasionally joined by a line. Spore print ochre (H). Cap cystidia absent; hyphae staining in fuchsin abundant, strongly encrusted, other hyphae often with club-shaped termination or with a round head (capitate). Habitat with broad-leaved trees; summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Edible. Note the name I used in my first book, Russula lutea (Huds. ex Fr.) S.F. Gray, is a dubious name (nomen dubium).

Russula farinipes

Romell. Cap 3–6cm across, convex, later often with a marked depression, margin furrowed and slightly warty-lumpy; yellowish to ochre-straw; thinnish but somewhat tough and elastic; hardly peeling. Stem 30–60×10–15mm; white or straw; hard, surface powdery towards the top. Flesh white, yellowish below cap cuticle; taste very hot, smell fruity. Gills slightly decurrent, rather narrow, often rather widely spaced; pale straw. Spores 6–8×5–7µ, ovate; warts up to 0.7µ high, no lines. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia abundant, spindle-shaped, up to 5–9µ wide, reacting to SV. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Russula raoultii

Quél. Cap 2–6cm across; lemon yellow to pale yellow-buff; fragile, dry, smooth; peeling half way. Stem 20–40×5–10mm, clavate; white, staining very slightly greyish-brown. Flesh white; soft; taste hot, smell pleasant. Gills close, broad; white. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–7µ, ovate; warts up to .75µ high, almost complete reticulum. Spore print white (A). Habitat with broad-leaved trees; autumn. Very rare on Red Data List. Not edible.

Ochre Brittlegill Russula ochroleuca

Pers. Cap 4–10cm across, convex then flattening and with a depression, margin eventually furrowed; ochre, yellow, or sometimes greenish-yellow; fleshy; two-thirds peeling. Stem 40–70×15–25mm; white, greying slightly with age, especially when waterlogged. Flesh white; taste from mild to moderately hot. Gills adnexed; creamy. Spores 8–10×7–8µ, broadly ovate; warts up to 1.2µ high, joined by numerous fine lines forming a fairly well-developed network. Spore print whitish to pale cream (A– C). Cap surface cystidia absent; hyphae 2–3µ wide, often with yellow encrusting pigment. Habitat with broad-leaved trees and conifers; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible.

Coral Brittlegill Russula velenovskyi

Melzer & Zvàra Cap 3–8cm across, almost globose at first then flattening and with a depression, often with a low umbo; red, coral, brick, wine- or flesh-coloured, pale ochre or buff in places; fleshy; two-thirds peeling. Stem 30–60×10–15mm; white, often tinged pink, especially near base; firm, powdered above. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills almost free; cream. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–7.5µ, ovate; warts up to 0.7µ high, with very few thin lines. Spore print deep cream (E–F). Cap cystidia sparse, mostly cylindrical, sometimes with septa, occasionally narrow club-shaped; sparse granules staining in fuchsin. Habitat with broad-leaved trees and pine; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Geranium Brittlegill Russula fellea

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–9cm across, convex, soon flattening, often with a broad umbo, margin smooth to slightly furrowed; straw-coloured to pale ochre-honey or buff; fairly fleshy, slightly sticky when moist; peeling at margin only. Stem 20–60×10–20mm; coloured as cap but slightly paler, cream if rubbed with iron salts; firm. Flesh white; taste very hot, smell of geraniums. Gills adnexed; coloured as stem. Spores 7.5–9×6–7µ, ovate; warts up to 0.7µ high, mostly joined by fine lines to form a well-developed network. Spore print whitish to pale cream (A–C). Cap cystidia abundant, cylindrical to narrowly club-shaped, strongly reacting with SV. Habitat with beech; late summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Copper Brittlegill Russula decolorans

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4.5–11cm across, subglobose at first then convex and flattening, finally with a depression, margin finally furrowed; brownish-red or orange, reddish-sienna, cinnamon, or tawny, staining black or brown; firm, sticky when moist; peeling at margin only. Stem 45–100×10–25mm, often with club-shaped base; white, greying strongly; firm. Flesh greying strongly on exposure; thick; taste mild. Gills adnexed, connected by veins at the bases; pale ochre, blackening. Spores 9–14×7–12µ, ovate to elliptical; spines of various heights up to 1.5µ, mostly isolated but some connected by thin lines to form a very incomplete network with only 1–2 meshes. Spore print deep cream to pale ochre (E–F). Cap surface with numerous slightly club-shaped dermatocystidia with one or no septum. Habitat with conifers; summer to autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List, confined mainly to the Highland region of Scotland. Edible.

Russula amoenolens

Romagn. Cap 3–6cm across, convex, later flattening and with a depression, margin furrowed, with small, low warts; sepia to greyish-sepia, rarely white; thinnish-fleshed, slightly sticky when moist; half peeling. Stem 30–60×10–20mm; whitish; fairly firm to soft and fragile. Flesh white; taste unpleasant, oily, slowly very hot, smell rancid or suggesting Camembert cheese. Gills adnexed; creamy to dirty whitish, edge browning. Spores 7–9×5–7µ, broadly elliptical; warts to 0.7µ high, a few joined by fine lines, no network. Spore print pale cream (B–D). Cap cystidia narrow, tapering, poorly reacting to SV. Habitat with oak; summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible. Note I used the name Russula sororia (Fr.) Romell. in my first book; this mushroom is now thought to be very similar but rather rare.

Stinking Brittlegill Russula foetens

Pers. Cap 5–12cm across, globose at first, later convex, finally flattening, at times with a central depression, margin furrowed and with small, low warts; dull brownishochre to honey-coloured; thick-fleshed, rigid, slimy or glutinous. Stem 50–120×15– 40mm, cylindrical or swollen in the middle; whitish to buff; developing irregular cavities, hard and rigid but easily breaking. Flesh white; taste of gills very hot, of stem flesh almost mild, in addition bitter or oily, smell strongly oily or rancid. Gills adnexed, thickish, and well-spaced; creamy, often brown-spotted. Spores 8–10×7–9µ, somewhat globose; strong warts, up to 1.5µ high, isolated or an occasional fine line joining them. Spore print pale to medium cream (B–D). Cap cystidia cylindrical, tapering, or spindle-shaped, not reacting to SV. Habitat with broad-leaved trees or conifers; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note the smaller, less rank-smelling R. subfoetens (opposite), is possibly more common. Similar to R. grata (opposite).

Russula pectinatoides

Peck Cap 3–8cm across, convex to centrally depressed, margin strongly striatetuberculate; yellowish-brown to dull straw colour or cinnamon; viscid when wet; peeling half way or more. Stem 25–50×5–10mm, equal; white to pale yellowish or brown where bruised; hollow. Flesh white; taste mild or slightly acrid, smell slightly oily or fetid. Gills thin; white to pale cream. Spores 7–9×5.5–7µ ovate; warts 0.4– 0.8µ high, with an incomplete reticulum. Spore print cream (D–E). Habitat with mixed hardwoods; summer to early autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Bitter Almond Brittlegill Russula grata

Britzelm. Very similar to R. foetens (opposite) but rather smaller. Cap 4–8cm across; often a brighter ochre-brown and less glutinous. Flesh distinguished by its marked smell of bitter almonds. Gills adnexed, rather thick; creamy. Spores 8–9.5×8–8.5µ, globose; very distinctive, with well-developed, sometimes branching wings up to 2µ high connecting a large proportion of the warts. Spore print pale cream (D). Habitat mixed woods; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note in my first book I used the name R. laurocerasi Melzer for this fungus, but the earlier name R. grata is now accepted as correct.

Russula subfoetens

Wm. G. Sm. Cap 5–10cm across, rounded then with a depressed centre, margin coarsely tuberculate-striate, viscid when wet; dull honey-yellow to brownish. Stem

50–90×10–25mm, narrowing near base; pale honey-yellow; firm. Flesh pale straw, yellowing when cut, and turning bright golden in KOH; smell slightly unpleasant, fetid, taste hot in cap cuticle but mild in flesh. Gills adnate; cream-yellow, often brown-spotted. Spores 7–9×5–6µ, elliptical-ovate; warts 0.3–0.71µ high, few connectives. Spore print pale cream (C–D). Habitat in mixed woods; summer to early autumn, generally only in warm years. Uncommon. Not edible. Note field photograph (f) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Crowded Brittlegill Russula acrifolia

Romagn. Cap 3–12cm across, flattened convex at first, later with a depression, cupor funnel-shaped, margin incurved at first; whitish or dull brown in the centre or all over, eventually blackish; fleshy, sticky when moist. Stem 25–80×6–30mm; white then dull brown to blackish, reddish on bruising; hard. Flesh white at first when cut, becoming tinged reddish and soon greyish as well, finally dark grey to brownishblackish; taste hot or very hot, but sometimes almost mild, smell not distinctive. Gills slightly decurrent, closely spaced, rather narrow and not thick, interspersed with shorter gills; white to pale cream. Spores 7–9.5×6–7.5µ, ovate; small warts under 0.5µ high, joined by numerous fine lines to form a well-developed network. Spore print whitish (A). Cap cystidia few, narrow, not reacting to SV. Cap hyphae 3–4µ wide, cylindrical or narrowing towards the apex. Habitat with broad-leaved trees and conifers; summer to autumn. Rare. Edible but mediocre. Note I included this under the name R. densifolia (Secr.) Gillet in my first book; this mushroom is now thought to be a less common species of chalky soils. Note Similar to R. adusta (opposite).

Milk-white Brittlegill Russula delica

Fr. Cap 5–16cm across, convex, cup- or funnel-shaped, margin strongly inrolled; whitish, often tinged yellow-brownish; thick-fleshed, matt, dry. Stem 20–60×20– 40mm; white, often bluish at apex; hard. Flesh white, unchanging; taste hot and acrid with a bitter tang, smell distinctive, slightly of bugs, and reminiscent of certain Lactarius, sometimes fishy. Gills decurrent, often forked or with cross-connections, interspersed with numerous short gills; whitish, often tinged bluish towards the stem. Spores 8–12×7–9µ, ovate; warts 0.5–1.5µ high, often in chains or occasionally joined by fine lines not enclosing meshes, or sometimes more abundant and forming a network. Spore print white to slightly creamy (A–B). Cap cystidia worm-like to narrow cylindrical, hardly reacting to SV. Habitat with both broad-leaved and coniferous trees; autumn. Common. Edible but poor, unpleasant tasting.

Blackening Brittlegill Russula nigricans

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 5–20cm across, convex, soon with a deep depression, margin incurved at first; dirty white, becoming brown and finally black; dry, fleshy; three-quarters peeling. Stem 30–80×10–40mm; white, then dull brown, finally black; hard. Flesh white, becoming greyish-rose on exposure and finally grey to black; taste slowly hot, smell fruity. Gills adnate, very thick and widely spaced, with numerous shorter gills between them; straw to olive, greyish-rose on bruising, eventually black; brittle. Spores 7–8×6–7µ, ovate; small warts under 0.5µ high, mostly connected by fine lines to form a fairly well-developed but partial network. Spore print white (A). No cap cystidia. Habitat with broad-leaved trees and conifers; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible but poor.

Winecork Brittlegill Russula adusta

(Pers.) Fr. Resembles R. acrifolia (opposite) except as noted here; the flesh tastes mild and does not discolour the same way. Cap 5–17cm across; surface sticky when moist. Stem 40–110×10–30mm. Flesh only becomes slightly pinkish in the first half-hour of exposure, sometimes remaining so in the cap, but in the stem becoming pale smoky grey, not dark grey or blackish as in R. acrifolia; smell of old wine casks. Spores 7– 9×6–8µ, oval; very small warts rarely exceeding 0.2–0.3µ high, joined by very fine lines to form a well-developed but partial network with numerous small meshes. Cap hyphae narrow, 2–4µ wide. Habitat with pine; early summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible but poor.

Russula anthracina

Romagn. Cap 7–12cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression or saucershaped, margin inrolled; dirty white, very soon becoming blackish-brown to black with a hint of blue-grey; firm, somewhat thin-fleshed, slightly sticky, soon dry; only one-quarter peeling. Stem 30–60×15–30mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh white, blackening on exposure to air or on bruising; taste mild to slightly hot, slightly bitter. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow, arc-shaped, somewhat closely spaced, interspersed with numerous shorter ones; whitish to buff; all parts blacken on bruising or with age. Spores 7–9×6.5–8µ, ovate-elliptical; small warts up to 0.4µ high, joined by fine lines to form a delicate network. Spore print white (A). Cap surface of prostrate hyphae, 2– 6µ wide; cystidia present. Habitat with conifers and broad-leaved trees; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible. Note in my first book this fungus was included as R. albonigra (Krombh.) Fr., but I am now following Romagnesi.

LACTARIUS The most important distinguishing character of Milkcaps is that they all exude droplets of milk (lactate) from the gills and flesh when damaged; the colour of the milk and whether it discolours after a time in the air are important characters to record. Taste a drop of the milk on your tongue, allowing about half a minute before spitting it out. It may be hot, bitter, or mild. Note special smells. The flesh is granular, like the Russulas (here) and the cap and stem will break easily.

Lactarius

Lactarius controversus

Pers. Cap 8–15cm across, convex then concave to funnel-shaped, margin inrolled and downy at first; ivory to pale buff, often with pale vinaceous tinges or indistinct blotches, sometimes in concentric bands; glabrous, viscid when moist. Stem 30– 75×20–40mm, cylindrical, or narrowing towards the base; concolorous with cap; solid. Flesh white; thick. Gills decurrent, crowded and narrow; pale rosy buff. Milk white; taste slowly very hot. Spores 6–7×5–6μ, oval; strong warts connected by thick ridges forming a fairly complete network. Spore print pinkish-cream (B). Habitat with poplar or Salix repens; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible but poor.

Fleecy Milkcap Lactarius vellereus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 10–25cm across, convex and centrally depressed to widely funnelshaped, margin incurved at first; white to cream, in places becoming tinged yellowishbuff to pale reddish-cinnamon; very shortly woolly. Stem 40–70×20–40mm; concolorous with cap; solid, shortly velvety. Flesh thick, firm. Gills decurrent, distant, narrow; pale ochraceous-cream; brittle. Milk white, abundant; taste mild in isolation but hot when tasted with the flesh. Spores 7.5–9.5×6.5–8.5μ, elliptical; small warts connected by fine lines in an incomplete network. Spore print white (A). Habitat in deciduous woods; late summer to early winter. Frequent. Not edible. Note L. bertillonii (Z. Schaef.) Bon. is very similar but differs in the hot taste of the milk.

Peppery Milkcap Lactarius piperatus

(L.) Pers. Cap 6–16cm across, convex with concave to widely funnel-shaped centre; creamy white; matt and glabrous. Stem 30–70×20–30mm, cylindrical or tapering towards the base; white. Flesh white; thick. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow; white then creamy. Milk white; taste very hot and acrid. Spores 6.5–9.5×5–7.5μ, elongateelliptical; ornamented as L. vellereus (above). Spore print white (A). Habitat in deciduous woods; summer to early winter. Occasional. Edible but not recommended; used dried as seasoning or fresh after parboiling in some places, even then retaining an unpleasant taste and difficult to digest. Note easily distinguished from L. vellereus by its taller stature, glabrous cap, and crowded gills.

Pine Milkcap Lactarius musteus

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, at first flattened convex, soon with a depression, margin inrolled, later incurved, even and regular to somewhat irregular; whitish to pale buff with a slight flesh tinge, in places with pale ochre tinges; very firm, thick, surface slightly felty, sticky when moist. Stem 30–80×10–35mm; concolorous with the cap, often with a broad band of pale rosy buff, with a watery appearance below the gills, sometimes with scattered, oval, fawn spots; fairly hard, with a large cavity, surface sticky when moist, smooth, with a network of fine, translucid veins. Gills slightly decurrent, rather narrow, closely spaced, often forked near the stem; pale creamy with slight rosy buff tinge, pale greyish-olive after several hours where bruised. Milk abundant; white, becoming dull olive on the gills after several hours; taste mild but after a while very slightly hot. Spores 8–9×6.5–7μ, elliptical; warts joined by thin to thickish ridges that tend to run across the spore and form a loose partial network. Spore print pale cream (C). Habitat with pine; late summer to early autumn. Uncommon, endangered on Red Data List. Edible if cooked.

Lactarius evosmus

Kühner & Romagn. Cap 3.5–10cm across, convex with a central funnel-shaped depression, margin inrolled and hairless; pale yellowish-buff at first with paler margin, later ochre-buff to reddish-ochre with several indistinct, darker concentric bands; slightly sticky. Stem 25–45×10–20mm; whitish to buff then ochre-buff, sometimes with indistinct spots; often hollow. Flesh whitish. Gills decurrent, narrow, crowded, forked near the stem; yellowish-buff, later ochre-buff. Milk white; taste very hot, smell of geraniums. Spores 7–9.5×5–7.2μ, ovate; warts mainly joined by ridges that tend to run across the spore, forming a partial network. Spore print buff (E–F). Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with oak; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Not edible. Note this was named L. zonarius (Bull. ex St. Amans) Fr. in my first book.

Bearded Milkcap Lactarius pubescens

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex then centrally depressed, margin inrolled and hairy; creamy white to rosy buff, often with slightly darker areas, without concentric banding. Stem 30–60×10–23mm; concolorous with cap, often with a rosy buff band at apex. Flesh whitish; thick. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded; whitish with a slight salmon tinge, darkening with age. Milk white; taste very hot. Spores 6.5–8.5×5.5– 6.5μ, elliptical; warts joined by ridges forming a well-developed, irregular network. Spore print pale cream (C–D) with faint salmon tint. Habitat near birch on sandy soil; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous. Note very similar to L. torminosus (below), but paler and somewhat smaller.

Pale Milkcap Lactarius pallidus

Pers. Cap 4–10cm across, flattened convex, later with a central, funnel-shaped depression, margin incurved at first; buff, often pale, dull or with a rosy tint, to pale flesh-coloured or pale brownish; firm and fairly thick-fleshed, smooth, sticky. Stem 30–80×6–28mm, cylindrical or narrowed at base; whitish or concolorous with cap; smooth. Flesh white to buff. Gills moderately decurrent, somewhat crowded; pale rosy buff to yellowish-buff. Milk white; taste from mild to quite hot. Spores 8–10×6– 7μ, elliptical; ridges of various thicknesses running mainly across the spore and with few cross-connections. Spore print pale ochre (E–F) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with beech; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible when cooked.

Woolly Milkcap Lactarius torminosus

(Schaeff.) Pers. Cap 4–12cm across, convex becoming funnel-shaped, margin inrolled and hairy; pale salmon-buff to pale pink with deeper-coloured, indistinct, concentric bands. Stem 40–80×10–20mm; pale flesh-coloured to salmon; soon hollow, finely downy. Flesh white. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow; pale flesh-coloured to pale salmon. Milk white; taste hot and acrid. Spores 7.5–10×6–7.5μ, ovate; low warts connected by ridges forming a very incomplete network. Spore print yellowish-cream (C–D) with faint salmon tint. Habitat woods and heaths, usually with birch; late summer to early autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Lactarius mairei

Malençon. Cap 3–11cm across, centrally depressed from young; creamy yellow in colour and lightly zoned; fleshy, conspicuously hairy towards the margin. Stem 15– 40×10–15mm, hollow; concolorous with the cap, but lighter. Flesh soft, creamy; taste acrid after a while, smell fruity. Gills subdecurrent; pale cream. Milk white. Spores 6–9×4.5–7μ, subglobose; distinct strong network of broad ridges. Spore print cream. Habitat with oaks on calcareous soils; late summer to early winter. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Lactarius fluens

Boud. Cap 4–13cm across (those in the photograph are rather small), at first shallow convex, soon flattening and developing a central depression, margin incurved, from fairly even and regular to variously waved and lobed, hairless; usually dull, pale greenish-olive to olive-green, but sometimes from drab to greyish-drab or slate grey, usually with several darker, concentric bands, margin sometimes much paler; surface sticky when moist, smooth, with fine, translucid veining. Stem 25–70×10–20mm, cylindrical; paler than cap, whitish, pale olive-buff to pale mouse or violaceous-grey, often with ochre to rusty base, staining or bruising brownish; smooth. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent even when young, somewhat crowded, somewhat narrow; with a creamy tint, later cream to buff, bruising hazel to sepia but often only after several hours (this and their colour distinguishing from L. blennius here). Milk white, drying greenish-grey on gills; taste hot after a few seconds. Spores 6.5–8.5×5.2–6.5μ, ovate to elliptical; warts joined by relatively few, almost wing-like ridges tending to run across the spore and giving it a striped appearance. Spore print deep cream (E) with a salmon tinge. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially beech and hornbeam; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Lactarius uvidus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression and often somewhat irregular margin, the margin incurved; vinaceous buff, fawn, lilac, or violet-grey, occasionally with one or two indistinct darker bands; surface fairly smooth, sticky when moist. Stem 25–60×6–25mm, more or less cylindrical; dirty whitish to pale, dull buff, bruising fawn on the veining, with rusty stains towards the base; developing a cavity, smooth, with fine, translucid veining. Flesh pallid white, becoming dullish lilac in around thirty minutes after exposure. Gills decurrent, fairly closely spaced, somewhat narrow; pallid whitish, bruising dull lilac to livid vinaceous. Milk white, becoming tinged lilac on gills; taste slightly bitter, not hot. Spores 9– 10.5×7.5–8.5μ, ovate; strongish warts joined by thin into thick ridges to form a partial network. Spore print cream (D). Habitat with birch and willow on acid soil in wet places; late summer to autumn. Not edible.

Alder Milkcap Lactarius obscuratus

(Lasch) Fr. syn. L. obnubilus (Lasch) Fr. Fruit body remarkably small and delicate for a Lactarius. Cap 6–16mm across, at first flat and slightly convex, later with a shallow depression, often with a small, somewhat pointed umbo; tinged dull cinnamon, especially in the darker centre, with dull olivaceous tints or hazel at the centre, later becoming somewhat brighter in colour and losing the olive tinge; translucid and striate at the margin due to the gills showing through, surface smooth or practically so. Stem 17–21×3–4mm, cylindrical or slightly swollen at the base; coloured like the cap margin, but a somewhat redder brown, especially towards the base. Flesh very thin in cap. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent, slightly to somewhat closely spaced, thin, fairly broad; yellowish to dull cream. Milk white, unchanging; taste mild. Spores 6–7.7×5– 6.2μ, elliptical; warts joined by a well-developed network of ridges. Spore print whitish (A). Superficial layer of cap cellular. Habitat in bogs with alder; early summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note very similar to L. omphaliformis (here).

Grey Milkcap Lactarius vietus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2.5–7cm across, flattened convex, becoming widely funnel-shaped at times, sometimes with a broad to pointed umbo, margin incurved at first; violet- to flesh-tinted grey, or with pale yellowish-brownish tints; slimy or sticky when moist. Stem 25–80×5–13mm, cylindrical, sometimes narrowing downwards but at times with a club-shaped base; whitish or tinged greyish; often hollow, rather weak and easily broken. Flesh whitish-buff. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded; whitish to dirty buff. Milk white, drying brownish or greenish smoke-grey on the gills; taste acrid, hot, smell not distinctive. Spores 8–9.5×6.5–7.5μ, elliptical; moderately developed network of ridges. Spore print creamy white (A–B) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with birch in moist places; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Lactarius luteolus

Peck syn. L. kuehnerianus Mal. Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex; white to buff, becoming brownish in age, with a velvety, whitish bloom. Stem 25–60×5–12mm; whitish to buff, staining brown; stuffed, surface with a velvety bloom. Flesh whitish, staining brown. Gills adnate to subdecurrent, close, narrow to moderately broad; white, becoming brown from the latex, with age. Milk white-wheylike, plentiful, sticky, marking all parts brown with age; taste mild, smell fishy. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–6μ, elliptical; ornamented with isolated warts 0.3–0.8μ high; amyloid. Spore print white to pale cream. Habitat Mediterranean, in deciduous woods, not recorded in Britain; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Lactarius omphaliformis

Romagn. Very similar to L. obscuratus (here), with a larger and brighter cap. Cap 13– 17mm across, or even reaching 35mm, centre often wrinkled and lumpy; tawny to russet or cinnamon, without olive tinges, sometimes with darker centre. Stem 16– 40×2–4mm; pale tawny. Flesh pallid; very thin in the cap. Gills more distinctly decurrent and thicker, well spaced. Milk white. Spores 6.5–7.5×5.2–6.5μ; ornamented like L. obscuratus. Habitat with alder and birch; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Not edible. Note in my first book I published this under the name Lactarius cyathula (Fr.) Fr. as per the New Check List (1960), but this name is now considered to be a nomen confusem.

Mild Milkcap Lactarius subdulcis

(Pers.) Gray Cap 3–7cm across, convex, later with a depression, sometimes with a small umbo, margin incurved at first, sometimes slightly furrowed; reddish-brown, rusty or dark cinnamon, paling to buff; fairly rigid to flexible, surface matt, smooth to slightly wrinkled. Stem 30–70×6–13mm, cylindrical to slightly club-shaped, sometimes furrowed lengthwise; coloured as cap but paler above. Flesh white to buff; thin in cap. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent; whitish at first then rosy-buff with a slight vinaceous tinge. Milk white, plentiful, not turning yellow on a handkerchief; taste mild then slightly bitter. Spores 7.5–9.5×6.5–8μ, ovate; largish warts (1μ) joined by mainly thinnish ridges to form a well-developed network. Spore print cream (C), with slight salmon tinge. Cap surface of prostrate, filamentous hyphae with variously inflated cells. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible. Note this common fungus is often misidentified.

Rufous Milkcap Lactarius rufus

(Scop.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, later flattening, finally with a central depression, the centre usually with a pointed umbo, margin somewhat inrolled at first; bay, red-brown, or dark brick; moderately thick, surface dry and matt. Stem 40– 80×5–20mm; concolorous with cap but paler; often hollow when old. Flesh white; breaking fairly easily. Gills somewhat decurrent; yellowish at first, later as cap but paler; brittle. Milk white; taste mild then after about a minute very hot and acrid. Spores 8–9.5×6.5–7.5μ, elliptical; warts occasionally isolated but mainly connected by thin ridges to form a rather incomplete network. Spore print creamy whitish (B) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with pine; late spring to late autumn. Common. Not edible although in some places it is used as a seasoning after special treatment.

Lactarius volemus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–11cm across, convex with a depression; apricot to tawny, fleshy, firm, shortly velvety to smooth, not sticky. Stem 40–120×10–30mm; concolorous with cap but usually paler; shortly velvety to smooth, solid. Flesh whitish; firm. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow, somewhat closely spaced; pale golden-yellow, bruising brown; easily breaking. Gill cystidia abundant, with thick, wavy walls. Milk white, abundant; taste mild, smell fishy. Spores 8–10×8–9.5μ, spherical; ridges thick, a few thin, forming a complete network. Spore print whitish (B). Cap surface cellular, cap and stem surfaces with spindle-shaped, tapering cystidia. Habitat with coniferous and broad-leaved trees; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible and good.

Lactarius mammosus

Fr. Cap 2.5–5.5cm across, convex, later flattening or with a depression, sometimes with a flat to pointed umbo, margin at first somewhat inrolled; brownish, vinaceousgrey to umber or hazel, sometimes with one or more concentric bands; moderately thick, firm, surface dry, of feathery, adpressed fibres breaking into small, low, fibrous scales. Stem 15–35×5–11mm; whitish or tinged with the cap colour, bruising pale cinnamon-brown. Flesh whitish to buff. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent, crowded; rosy buff, later darker with an orange tinge. Milk white; taste mild, then hot or very hot, smell of coconut. Spores 7.7–9×5–6μ, elliptical-ovate; dense, fairly full network of ridges. Spore print cream (C). Habitat with pine; early autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Lilacscale Milkcap Lactarius spinosulus

Quél. Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex then funnel-shaped in centre, margin incurved at first then straight; pinkish-buff to vinaceous-lilac with darker flecks, fibrils, or scattered, pointed, fibrillose scales, especially towards the margin. Stem 25–50×6– 12mm, often irregularly dimpled or flattened; concolorous with cap or paler. Flesh white to vinaceous-buff. Gills decurrent, somewhat narrow and crowded; buff. Milk white; taste slowly moderately hot. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–7.5μ, elliptical; thickish ridges running predominantly across the spores. Spore print pale ochre (D–E) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat deciduous woods, especially with birch; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Lactarius circellatus

(Battarra) Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, flattened convex, later shallowly funnel-shaped and often rather irregular, margin slightly inrolled at first; dull grey-brown to pale umber, often slightly violet-tinged, and with a slight silvery appearance when dry, with concentric lighter and darker bands always present; firm-fleshed, slightly sticky when moist. Stem 30–60×8–20mm, cylindrical or spindle-shaped; whitish to concolorous with the cap; becoming hollow. Flesh whitish. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent; yellowish-white at first, soon pale ochre, later dull yellowish ochre. Milk white, not changing colour with KOH; taste mild at first then hot. Spores 6–7×5–6.5μ, broadly elliptical; thickish ridges mostly running across the spore and with few crossconnections. Spore print pale ochre (D) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with hornbeams and frequent where these occur; summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Liver Milkcap Lactarius hepaticus

Plowr. Cap 2.5–7cm across, convex, later flattened, sometimes with a central pimple, margin often crimped or crisped with tiny lobes; liver-coloured to dull chestnutbrown; surface dry and matt. Stem 30–70×4–8mm, reddish-brown to brick-coloured; becoming hollow. Flesh white, tinged pinkish-buff; thin in cap. Gills slightly decurrent; pale buff, becoming deep buff to pale ochre with a mauvy bloom. Milk white, drying yellowish, a drop on a handkerchief turns sulphur-yellow in one to two minutes; taste bitter and acrid, slowly slightly hot. Spores 8–9×6–7μ, broadly elliptical; large warts, some isolated but mostly joined by thin to thickish ridges in a very incomplete network. Spore print cream (B). Habitat with pine; autumn. Frequent, found mainly with pine in southern Britain, and becoming rarer farther northwards. Not edible.

Oakbug Milkcap Lactarius quietus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, convex, later flattened or with a shallow depression; dull reddish-brown with cinnamon tints, often with a few indistinct darker concentric

bands or spotting; dry and matt, not sticky when moist. Stem 40–90×10–15mm, more or less cylindrical; coloured as cap or darker; often hollow, often furrowed lengthwise, matt. Flesh whitish buff; thick and firm in cap. Gills slightly decurrent; brownish white, later pale reddish-brown with a slight mauvy bloom. Milk white or slightly creamy; taste mild or slightly bitterish, smell slightly oily or suggesting bugs. Spores 7.5–9×6.5–7.5μ, ovate; warts mostly joined by ridges forming a well-developed network. Spore print cream (C) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with oak; autumn. Very common. Edible.

Ugly Milkcap Lactarius turpis

(Weinm.) Fr. syn. L. necator sensu auct. Cap 5–20cm across, convex then centrally depressed, margin inrolled at first; dark olive-brown, umber, or olive-blackish, margin paler; firm and thick-fleshed, sticky and slimy, shallowly felted at first, somewhat woolly at margin. Stem 40–80×10–25mm, short and stout, cylindrical or narrowing towards base; concolorous with cap or paler; hollow, surface often shallowly pitted, slimy. Flesh white, discolouring brown in places. Gills decurrent, fairly narrow and crowded; cream to yellowish-buff, pale sepia where wounded. Milk white, abundant; taste very hot and acrid. All parts purple-violet with ammonia or KOH. Spores 7.5– 8.5×6–7μ, elliptical; ridges tending to run across the spore, forming a fairly welldeveloped network. Spore print cream (B) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat usually with birch in damp places; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible.

Beech Milkcap Lactarius blennius

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, flattened convex, later centrally depressed, margin incurved; pale olive to greenish-grey, pale greyish-sepia or even dull greenish, with darker, drop-like blotches often grouped into concentric bands; very slimy when moist. Stem 40–50×10–17mm; paler than the cap, pale olive to pale grey or whitish; slimy. Flesh whitish. Gills slightly decurrent; white or whitish at first, later creamy to very pale buff, becoming brownish-greyish when wounded; this and their colour distinguish this from Lactarius fluens (here). Milk white, drying grey; taste very hot and acrid. Spores 7–8×5.5–6.5μ, elliptical with low warts joined by ridges with a few cross-connections, and tending to run across the spores. Spore print creamy (C) with a flesh-coloured tinge. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible if cooked, but not recommended.

Fiery Milkcap Lactarius pyrogalus

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, flattened convex to flat, later broadly funnel-shaped; dingy greyish-fawn sometimes with yellowish tinge, not or only faintly concentrically banded; somewhat thin-fleshed, slightly sticky when moist. Stem 40–60×7–15mm, cylindrical to slightly swollen in the middle or at the base; whitish or concolorous with cap. Flesh whitish. Gills slightly decurrent, yellowish to flesh-coloured, later cinnamon-ochre. Milk white; taste very hot and acrid; a drop turns orange-yellow on a glass slide with KOH. Spores 7–8×5.5–6.5μ, broadly elliptical; warts mostly joined by thickish ridges in a fairly well-developed network. Spore print pale ochre (E–F). Habitat with hazel; autumn. Common. Suspect avoid.

Lactarius acerrimus

Britzelm. Cap 8–15cm across, somewhat globose when young, becoming convex and eventually funnel- or crater-shaped, often strongly and rather irregularly waved or lobed, margin inrolled at first, very soon hairless; buff, often with an ochre or yellowish tint, paler at the margin, usually with several ill-defined ochre to tawny concentric bands; very firm, slightly sticky when moist. Stem 20–60×20–40mm, short and thick, frequently excentric to almost lateral; whitish, later mottled or entirely buff to pale ochre; solid or with one or more small cavities. Flesh whitish; very firm. Gills slightly decurrent, well-spaced, the sides strongly reticulately wrinkled, the wrinkles often joining the gills and giving a pore-like appearance near the stem and the cap margin; rosy buff, later tawny or cinnamon. Milk white; taste burning hot, smell fruity, suggesting overripe pears. Spores 10.5–13.5×8.5–10μ, ovate; strong warts joined by thick ridges or thin lines to form a fairly well-developed but rather incomplete network unusually large for a Lactarius. Spore print deep cream (D–E). Basidia two-spored. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially oak; summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Lactarius zonarius

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 5–12cm across, flattened convex at first, then with a central depression and eventually widely funnel-shaped, with a somewhat irregular and broadly wavy margin, the margin incurved, later rounded, shortly hairy or hairless; pale buff with yellowish centre and often numerous dull apricot or russet concentric bands; surface greasy rather than sticky, slightly lumpy-rough. Stem 30–70×1.5– 3.5mm; whitish or the colour of the cap centre, with very slightly sunken, yellowish to cinnamon or fawn spots and blotches, usually numerous, sometimes sparse or absent; usually with a large cavity. Flesh slightly creamy white, becoming pinkish in places after 15 minutes or so and eventually pale, livid wine-coloured. Gills decurrent, fairly closely spaced, narrow; saffron; rather rigid and fairly easily breaking. Milk abundant, white; taste after a few seconds very hot, smell acrid-aromatic with a fruity element. Spores 7–8.5×6–7μ, elliptical; warts mainly joined in chains or crests in a partial network. Spore print deep cream to pale ochre (E–F). Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially oak; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note this species was named L. insulsus (Fr.) Fr. in my first book.

Orange Milkcap Lactarius aurantiacus

(Pers.) Gray syn. L. mitissimus (Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–6cm across, convex, later flattened or with a depression, sometimes with a small umbo, margin incurved at first; bright apricot or brownish-orange; often hollow with age, surface velvety-greasy but not sticky. Stem 30–70×6–12mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh white; firm. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent; palish ochre. Milk abundant, white; taste mild. Spores 8– 9.5×6.5–7.5μ; covered in warts, mainly joined by thinnish ridges to form a somewhat incomplete network. Spore print cream (C) with a slight salmon tinge. Cap surface of more or less erect hyphae with rounded ends, separated by jelly. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woods; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Coconut Milkcap Lactarius glyciosmus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–5.5cm across, convex, later with a shallow depression, sometimes with a central pimple, margin incurved at first; usually greyish-lilac, sometimes dull buff; thin-fleshed, not sticky. Stem 25–65×4–12mm, cylindrical, slightly club-shaped or narrowing upwards; concolorous with cap but paler or yellowish; soft and easily broken, sometimes becoming hollow. Flesh buff. Gills decurrent, crowded; pale yellowish to pale flesh colour, later greyish-lilac. Milk white; taste mild, then a little hot and acrid, smell suggestive of coconut. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–6.5μ, broadly elliptical; warts small, connected by thin ridges to form a somewhat incomplete network. Spore print creamy white (A–B). Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially birch; late summer to autumn. Common. Edible.

Lactarius hysginus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, at first flattened convex, then with a shallow depression or broadly funnel-shaped, margin inrolled at first, regular to somewhat irregular; reddish-bay at first then becoming paler, especially towards the margin and here as pale as rosy buff, sometimes with purplish or flesh tinges, occasionally with indistinct, darker, concentric bands; surface sticky when moist, radially wrinkled. Stem 25– 70×10–25mm, cylindrical to spindle-shaped or variously misshapen; whitish, brownish-buff, or pale pinkish-fawn, sometimes with more or less oval, pale, dull brick blotches; stuffed, later with a cavity, slightly longitudinally wrinkled, slightly sticky when moist. Flesh white with a tinge of cap colour below the cap cuticle. Gills slightly to moderately decurrent, closely spaced, rather narrow; at first pale, dull golden-yellow, later saffron. Milk abundant, white; taste acrid and very hot. Spores 6.5–7.5×5.5–6.5μ, broadly elliptical; low but sometimes wide warts, joined by ridges, at times thick and tending to run across the spore. Spore print deep cream (E) with a slight salmon tinge. Habitat with conifers; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Sooty Milkcap Lactarius fuliginosus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4.5–9cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression or shallowly funnel-shaped, margin incurved at first; dark dull umber, cigar-brown or sepia; surface dry, appearing finely velvety. Stem 40–100×7–20mm; concolorous with cap or paler; surface as cap. Flesh whitish, becoming partly or spotted with salmon pink in two to three minutes after exposure; taste mild. Gills shortly decurrent; buffy ochre with a salmon tinge, salmon-pink on bruising. Milk white, becoming pinkish but only in contact with the flesh; taste mild, later slightly bitter. Spores 7.8–9×7–8μ, subglobose to broadly ovate; fairly well-developed network of ridges up to 1.5μ tall, with finer ones between them. Spore print pale ochre (F). Cap surface of upright, shortly cylindrical cells underlain by a cellular layer. Habitat beech woods; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but poor. Note Henrici (2002) comments that this may not be L. fuliginosus in the strict sense of Basso. Very similar to L. azonites (opposite).

Birch Milkcap Lactarius tabidus

Fr. syn. L. theiogalus sensu auct. Cap 2–4cm across, shallowly convex with a central depression, often with a pimple in the middle; dull ochre-buff to yellowish-rust or dull orange-ochre; somewhat fragile, surface matt, not sticky, often with small wrinkles. Stem 30–50×4–10mm, cylindrical or narrowing upwards; coloured as the cap above, more brick below; fairly rigid but easily broken, becoming hollow. Flesh whitish; thin in cap. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded; pale yellowish-cinnamon with a rosy tinge. Milk white, rather scanty, a drop on a handkerchief turns slowly yellow; taste almost mild, but slightly hot and acrid. Spores 7–9.5×6–7μ, elliptical; warts mainly isolated and only a few joined by fine ridges. Spore print pale cream (B) with a slight salmon tinge. Cap surfaces cellular. Habitat with deciduous trees, especially birch, and in moist places; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Toxicity not edible.

Lactarius azonites

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across; greyish buff, greyish-hazel, smoke-grey or sometimes greyish-sepia. Stem 30–70×5–15mm; white, later creamy to buff smoke-grey, bruising pale rose. Flesh white, becoming rose in two to five minutes, later orangeycoral, colouring more widely and strongly than in L. fuliginosus (opposite). Gills crowded at first; ivory white, then pale buff golden-yellow. Milk mild to somewhat hot in taste. Spores 8–9×7.5–8.5μ; warts around 0.7μ high, connected by an almost complete network of thick ridges. Spore print dark pinkish-buff. Habitat with broadleaved trees, especially oak; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note very similar to L. fuliginosus, but stem whitish and cap usually paler in colour and smaller. Also similar to L. pterosporus (below).

Lactarius pterosporus

Romagn. Very similar to L. azonites (above), differing as detailed here, mainly in the spores. Cap fawn, discolouring reddish with age or bruising; usually distinctly wrinkled. Gills are more crowded than in L. azonites. Milk markedly hot. Spores 7– 8×6.5–7μ; ornamented by wings up to 2μ high, together with a few small isolated warts, no connecting thin ridges between the wings. Habitat with oak, beech or hornbeam; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Lactarius decipiens

Quél. Cap 2–6cm across, flattened convex, later with a depression and often a small umbo, margin entire, even and regular to somewhat uneven and irregular; pale in colour, pinkish-buff or wash-leather-coloured to pale dull cinnamon, usually tinged with pinkish, lilac, or flesh, the centre sometimes rather darker; thin-fleshed, surface dry, matt. Stem 20–80×3–10mm, cylindrical to spindle-shaped; the upper part coloured as the cap margin and the lower as the centre or tinged rusty; surface matt. Flesh buffy whitish, becoming yellowish in places in about half an hour after exposure. Gills decurrent, closely spaced, fairly narrow; coloured as the cap margin but slightly darker. Milk abundant, white, becoming pale straw in around ten minutes and drying yellow on the gills or on absorbent white tissue; taste mild, later bitter and hot, smell of geraniums. Spores 7.5–9×6.5–7.5μ, broadly elliptical; warts mediumsized, mostly joined by thickish or thin ridges into an irregular, large-meshed network. Spore print cream (C–D). Cap surface filamentous. Habitat with hornbeam; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Lactarius flavidus

Boud. syn. L. aspideus var. flavidus (Boud.) Neuhoff. Cap 3–5cm across, flattened convex, later with a shallow depression, margin incurved, even, regular; uniformly pale straw to pale ochre-yellow, becoming livid purple 15 to 30 minutes after bruising, surface smooth, sticky when moist. Stem 25–60×6–20mm; concolorous with cap or paler, similarly colouring on bruising; solid, hollow when old, smooth, sticky. Flesh very pale straw, becoming pale dull violet in around 15 minutes after exposure. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent, crowded, frequently forked near stem; coloured as cap but slightly paler, similarly colouring on bruising. Milk abundant, white; taste mild at first, then hot. Spores 8.5–10×7.5–9μ, elliptical; low warts joined by ridges to form a partial network. Spore print pale cream (B). Habitat with oak or beech on lime soils; late summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Curry Milkcap Lactarius camphoratus

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 2.5–5cm across, convex, then with a depression and often with a small umbo, margin slightly inrolled at first, often furrowed; red-brown, bay, or dark brick, sometimes with a violet tinge; surface smooth and matt, not sticky. Stem 30–50×4– 7mm, cylindrical or narrowing downwards; coloured as the cap or deeper. Flesh pale rusty brown. Gills decurrent, closely spaced, narrow; pale reddish-brown. Milk rather watery but with whitish clouds; taste mild, smell weakly of bugs when fresh, but a strong curry-like scent develops on drying. Spores 7.5–8.5×6.5–7.5μ, subglobose; warts mainly isolated but occasionally joined by ridges. Spore print creamy (C). Habitat with pine but sometimes also in deciduous woods; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible used dried and powdered as a flavouring in Germany.

Fenugreek Milkcap Lactarius helvus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–12cm across, flattened convex with a shallow depression, sometimes with a small umbo, margin incurved at first; yellowish to brick-cinnamon with numerous slightly darker flecks or small flattened scales; thin and firm-fleshed at first but becoming soft and easily broken. Stem 50–120×5–30mm, cylindrical to slightly club-shaped; reddish-ochre or cinnamon to darkish brick; becoming hollow, often powdery or finely downy. Flesh whitish. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent, prolonged down the stem as short ridges; pale or buffy ochre. Milk clear; taste mild or slightly bitter, smell almost none when fresh, very strongly of curry or stock cubes when dried and persisting for years. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–6.5μ, elliptical; warts small, mostly joined by slender ridges in a poorly developed network. Spore print whitish with a slight salmon tinge (A–B). Habitat in conifer woods on heaths and moors; summer to autumn. Occasional. Slightly poisonous but sometimes dried and powdered to use as a condiment.

Lactarius bresadolianus

Singer. Cap 3–12cm across, convex and centrally depressed to widely funnel-shaped, margin incurved at first; yellowish-buff to clay-buff, lightly zoned; surface viscid. Stem 25–80×12–25mm; cream, more ochraceous with age; solid. Flesh white; firm; taste very acrid after a few seconds, smell fruity. Gills adnate, a little crowded; pale ochraceous-cream. Milk white, abundant, drying greyish; taste very acrid, after a while also bitter. Spores 8–10×6.8–8.5μ, elliptical; warts small, connected by fine lines in an incomplete network. Spore print pale buff-yellow. Habitat in conifer woods; late summer to early winter. Known from Central Europe and Scandinavia, not recorded for Britain. Not edible. Note some mycologists synonomise this species with L. zonarioides Kühn. & Romagn.

Tawny Milkcap Lactarius fulvissimus

Romagn. syn. L. brittanicus D. A. Reid Cap 4–8.5cm across, convex and centrally depressed to widely funnel-shaped; brick-orange to brownish-red, paler near the margin. Stem 25–75×5–20mm, often hollow; concolorous with the cap. Flesh light pinkish-buff; firm. Gills adnate, with a decurrent tooth, a little crowded; cream darkening a little with age. Milk white to a little watery, abundant, taste mild to a little acrid, smell strong like Lepiota cristata (here). Spores 6–9×5.5–7.5μ, elliptical; distinct warts up to 1.4μ connected by a few fine lines in an incomplete network. Spore print cream. Habitat in mixed woods; late summer to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Watery Milkcap Lactarius serifluus

(DC.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, flattened convex with saucer- or narrow funnel-shaped centre, margin remaining incurved for some time, usually more or less furrowed; dull brown; surface dry, matt, wrinkled, and often granular or lumpy. Stem 20–65×7– 12mm; concolorous with cap or more usually paler; hollow. Flesh cinnamon-buff; thin in cap. Gills moderately decurrent; saffron to bricky or orangy cinnamon. Milk watery with a few white clouds; taste mild, smell of bugs, oily. Spores 6.5–9×6–8μ; covered with warts up to 1.3μ high, joined by usually strong almost wing-like ridges to form a more or less complete network. Cap surface cellular; gill margin with globose, ballon or club-shaped cells. Spore print creamy (C) with a slight salmon tinge. Habitat with oak and beech; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note in my first book I published this as L. cimicarius.

Lactarius semisanguifluus

R. Heim & Leclair Cap 3–7cm across, convex then centrally depressed with an inturned margin; a dull orange with green tints and lightly zoned; slightly viscid. Stem 20–50×8–16mm; pale peachy orange, marking distinctly green; hollow. Flesh creamy coloured but discolouring quickly red-orange over time, darkening to vinaceous-red; thick; taste mild, similar to carrot, then bitter, smell sweetish. Gills adnate or a little decurrent; salmon, marking red from the milk then quickly green. Milk sparse, light; red-orange turning vinaceous-red. Spores 7.5–9.5×6–8μ, elliptical; distinct network of narrow ridges only up to 0.5μ high. Spore print pale pinkish-buff. Habitat with pine trees on calcareous soil; late summer to early winter. Rare. Not edible. Note the milk is much more red at first than others in this group.

False Saffron Milkcap Lactarius deterrimus

Gröger. Very similar to L. deliciosus (below), formerly not distinguished from it, differing essentially in flesh and milk. Cap less reddish and more yellowish, and the whole fungus is more liable to turn greenish. Flesh where coloured by milk, becoming purplish in 10 minutes and dark, dull wine-red in about 30 minutes after exposure. Milk bitter. Spores as L. deliciosus. Habitat thought to only occur with spruce; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible but not as good as L. deliciosus.

Saffron Milkcap Lactarius deliciosus

(L.) Gray Cap 3–10cm across, convex then shallowly funnel-shaped, margin incurved at first; numerous small, purplish-brick to salmon blotches in narrow, concentric bands on a pale flesh-coloured or rosy buff background, becoming tinged greenish in places; slightly sticky, firm, brittle. Stem 30–60×15–20mm; pale buff or vinaceous to orangey or salmon, sometimes with darker, shallow, spot-like depressions, becoming green in places. Flesh pale yellowish, carrot in places from the milk after an hour or so, fading, finally dull greyish-green. Gills slightly decurrent, closely spaced; pale pinkish-apricot to saffron, becoming carrot and slowly dull pistachio-green on bruising. Milk carrot; taste mild or slightly bitter. Spores 7–9×6–7μ, elliptical; thin to thickish ridges forming a fairly full network. Spore print pale ochre (F). Habitat with pines; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible much esteemed in Europe. Note very similar to L. deterrimus (opposite).

Lactarius salmonicolor

R. Heim & Leclair Cap 3–12cm across, convex then centrally depressed; beautiful bright orange, lightly zoned; fleshy. Stem 15–50×10–25mm; concolorous with the cap, but lighter, pitted with darker patches; hollow. Flesh creamy, but quickly discolouring orange; thick; taste mild then acrid after a while, smell fruity to disagreeable. Gills adnate; pinkish-buff. Milk sparse, light; bright orange. Spores 9.5–11.5×7–9.5μ, elliptical; distinct network of narrow ridges. Spore print pale pinkish-buff. Habitat only with fir trees (Abies); late summer to early winter. Rare. Not edible.

Lactarius citriolens

Pouzar. syn. L. cilicioides sensu auct. mult. Cap 10–20cm across, convex with a deep, funnel-shaped central depression, margin inrolled; pale yellowish-buff to ochre-buff, with scattered ochre fibrils within its surface, which are thicker, stronger-coloured, and sometimes indistinctly banded towards the margin; hard and thick-fleshed, surface sticky, the fibrils forming a coarse fringe of matted hairs up to 10mm wide on the margin. Stem 40–80×20–45mm, narrowing downwards towards the base or cylindrical; pale yellowish-buff, sometimes with indistinct darker spots; hard and rigid, developing a large cavity. Flesh pale yellow. Gills decurrent; pale pinkish ochre-buff. Milk white, in a few seconds sulphur-yellow; taste moderately hot and acrid. Spores 7.5–8.5×6μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose; fairly full network of both thick and thin ridges and an occasional isolated wart. Spore print pale ochre (D–E) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with birch; late summer to early autumn. Rare. Suspect avoid.

Yellowdrop Milkcap Lactarius chrysorrheus

Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, convex with a funnel-shaped depression, margin incurved at first then straightening; pale salmon to rosy or ochre-buff with darker rings of watery blotches or narrow concentric bands; smooth, margin hairless. Stem 30–80×9–20mm, cylindrical or with a slightly swollen base; whitish to pale buff, often flushed pinkish below; hollow. Flesh pallid to whitish, becoming sulphur-yellow from the milk. Gills decurrent, crowded; buff, tinged pink. Milk white, abundant, becoming sulphuryellow in five to fifteen seconds; taste slowly bitterish and somewhat hot. Spores 7– 8.5×6–6.5μ, ovate; incomplete network of ridges. Spore print creamy white (A+) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with oak; summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous.

Lactarius quieticolor

Romagn. syn. L. hemicyaneus Romagn. Cap 3–11cm across, convex to centrally

depressed; greyish-pink, spotted and lightly zoned; fleshy. Stem 25–70×10–25mm; concolorous with cap, but a little paler; often hollow. Flesh light pinkish-buff, quickly discolouring orange, darkening with age from the milk; firm. Gills adnate, with a decurrent tooth; creamy-saffron, greening a little when bruised. Milk rather sparse; orange, turning vinaceous and finally drying greenish; taste mild to slightly bitter, smell fruity. Spores 8–10.5×6.5–8μ, elliptical; strong network of broad ridges. Spore print pale pinkish-buff. Habitat in conifer woods; late summer to early winter. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

HYGROPHORUS Woodwaxes grow in association with trees. The caps are slimy or greasy, and the gills waxy to the touch. In general they are more fleshy than Hygrocybes (here). There has been a lot of movement between the generic names in the past, and names such as Cuphophyllus have been proposed. I have stayed with the names used in the British Mycological Society checklist current at the time of going to press.

Blotched Woodwax Hygrophorus eburneus

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, convex, becoming flattened; pure white, no reaction with KOH; slimy. Stem 40–70×5–10mm, tapering towards the base; white; slimy, covered in mealy granules near the apex when young. Flesh white; thick at centre of cap; taste and smell faint but pleasant. Gills decurrent; white. Spores 6–8×4–5μ, broadly ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat amongst leaf litter in woodland, especially with beech; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not recommended, too slimy.

Goat Moth Wax Cap Hygrophorus cossus

(Sowerby.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, convex, becoming more flattened; white, flushed buff, especially near the centre, no reaction with KOH; slimy. Stem 40–70×5–10mm; whitish; slimy. Flesh white; taste and smell strong and unpleasant, said to resemble that of the larva of the Goat Moth (Cossus cossus), from which it gets its common name. Gills decurrent; whitish. Spores 8–10×4–5μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in oak woods on chalk; autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note Henrici (2001) says that this is a doubtful name that is normally applied to strong-smelling collections of H. eburneus (above).

Gold-Flecked Woodwax Hygrophorus chrysodon

(Batsch) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, convex then flat; whitish; viscid, covered at the margin in tiny, cottony, yellow scales. Stem 40–75×10–15mm; whitish, covered in minute, yellow scales. Flesh white, sometimes with a reddish tinge; taste mild or slightly bitter, smell fungusy. Gills white with a yellowish tinge at the edge. Spores 7–9×4–5.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed deciduous wood, with oak and beech; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Hygrophorus pustulatus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, convex with depressed centre; grey-brown, covered in darker, granular scales, especially at the centre. Stem 25–50×3–7mm; whitish, flushed with cap colour; covered in fine, brownish tufts. Flesh white; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent; white. Spores 8.5–10×5–6μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in northern coniferous woods, especially with pine; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Herald of Winter Hygrophorus hypothejus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–6cm across, hemispherical then flattening, sometimes with a depressed centre; olive-brown with paler margin; slimy. Stem 40–70×7–14mm; whitish, tinged yellow or orange; slimy below the ring-like zone. Flesh whitish to pale yellow, bruising orange-red. Gills decurrent; pale yellow. Spores 7–9×4–5μ, ellipsoid to ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in pine woods; late autumn, often appearing after the first frosts. Frequent. Edible but not recommended, too slimy.

Arched Woodwax Hygrophorus camarophyllus

(Alb. & Schwein.) Dumée, Grandjean & Maire Cap 2–7cm across, convex, slightly knobbed or flat with umbo; sooty grey; sticky when wet, then dry and smooth with a downy margin. Stem 25–130×10–20mm; pale to smoky grey-brown; silky, fine hairs near the top. Flesh white; thick, fragile; taste mild, smell slight, of coal tar. Gills adnate, close to subdistant, broadish; white or slightly yellowish; very waxy. Spores 7–10×4–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in acid conifer woods; summer to autumn. Extremely rare in Britain, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Ashen Woodwax Hygrophorus mesotephrus

Berk. Cap 2–4cm across, convex then centrally depressed; dull grey-brown with a much darker centre; viscid. Stem 60–100×7–10mm; white at apex, very glutinous and browning below. Flesh white; taste and smell not recorded. Gills decurrent; white. Spores 9–12×6–8μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat under deciduous trees; late summer to early winter. Rare. Not edible. Note my picture is much too brown, it should be dull grey-brown.

Hygrophorus dichrous

Kühner & Romagn. Cap 5–7cm across, convex with slight umbo; olive-brown with darker centre; slimy. Stem 50–80×10–18mm; white, covered with thick, brownish gluten below the ring-like zone. Flesh white; thick; smell distinct. Gills adnatedecurrent; white. Spores 9–13×5–7.5μ, broadly ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Rare. Edible good.

Hygrophorus leucophaeus

(Scop.) Fr. Cap 1.5–5cm across, convex with prominent umbo; whitish-buff with rusty brown at umbo; slightly viscid. Stem 30–70×4–7mm; whitish with a faint rust flush. Flesh whitish; thick at centre of cap; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent; whitish-buff. Spores 6.5–8×4μ, ovoid-ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woodland, especially beech; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Ivory Woodwax Hygrophorus erubescens

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, becoming flatter and broadly umbonate, margin incurved; whitish or flesh-coloured with a pink tinge, the normally darker disc made up of purple-pink scales or fibres; margin minutely woolly, often with beaded drops of moisture. Stem 40–70×6–12mm; top white, lower part pale reddish, sometimes bruising yellow; scaly and covered with minute fibres, at first beaded with drops of moisture. Flesh white, staining yellowish when bruised; thick on the disc; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate to decurrent, subdistant, moderately broad; white, tending to pinkish. Spores 6.4–7.7×4.1–5.2μ, ellipsoid; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods, often on calcareous soil; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Rosy Woodwax Hygrophorus pudorinus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–12cm across, convex to nearly flat with a broad umbo, margin inrolled; pale tan to pinkish-buff; smooth and sticky, margin downy. Stem 40–100×8– 20mm; white, tinged pink, with distinctive tufts of hair at the top, becoming reddish with age, turning orange-yellow with KOH; dry, solid. Flesh white, tinged pink; thick, firm; taste unpleasant, like turpentine, smell none or faintly fragrant. Gills subdecurrent, distant, narrow; white, tinged with buff or pale salmon; waxy. Spores 6.5–9×4–5.5μ, ellipsoid; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods on calcareous soil, often in boggy places; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Not edible because of the unpleasant taste.

Pinkmottle Woodwax Hygrophorus russula

(Schaeff.) Quél. Cap 5–10cm across, broadly convex, with an inrolled margin, expanding to flat or concave; pink to purple-red, sometimes bruising yellow; sticky then dry, streaked with purple-pink fibres that give the surface a scaly appearance. Stem 20–70×15–35mm, sometimes tapering towards the base; white, streaking pinkish; dry, smooth, solid. Flesh white, usually tinged pink; thick, firm; taste mild or slightly bitter, smell mild. Gills adnate, close to crowded, moderately broad; white at first then pale pink, spotted purple-red; waxy. Spores 6–8×3–5μ, ellipsoid; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in oak woods, especially on calcareous soil; late summer to late autumn. Very rare. Edible good.

HYGROCYBE Waxcaps are found on lawns and grassland. They are small, brightly coloured mushrooms in shades of red, yellow, green, or white. The caps are normally greasy to slimy and often conical in shape; the gills are waxy to the touch and often bruise blackish when damaged.

A mixed collection of Waxcaps showing the main characteristics

Meadow Waxcap Hygrocybe pratensis

(Pers.) Murrill. syn. Cuphophyllus pratensis (Pers.) Fr. syn. Hygrophorus pratensis (Pers.) Fr. syn. Camarophyllus pratensis (Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–8cm across, convex then flattened with broad umbo, becoming distorted and often cracking with age; ochraceous or tawny-buff. Stem 20–50×10–15mm, tapering towards the base; paler than cap. Flesh pale buff; thick at centre of cap; taste pleasant, smell mushroomy. Gills deeply decurrent, widely spaced; pale buff. Spores 5–7×4.5–5μ, broadly ovoid to subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat in pastureland; autumn. Frequent. Edible good.

Nitrous Waxcap Hygrocybe nitrata

(Pers.) Wünsche syn. Hygrophorus nitratus (Pers.) Fr. Cap 1.5–8cm across, convex then expanded; light sepia to date-brown, often yellow-brown at margin when fresh, drying pallid. Stem 30–100×3–12mm; creamy, pallid, darkening towards the base. Flesh whitish-cream; taste foul, soapy, smell nitrous. Gills whitish-cream at first, becoming tinged with cap colour. Spores 7–10×4.5–5.5μ. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass; late summer. Occasional. Not edible. Note Boertmann (1995) says this picture shows Hygrocybe ingrata Jensen & Møll.

Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe conica

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. H. nigrescens sensu auct. Cap 3.5–5.5cm across, bellshaped or broadly conical, often irregularly lobed; orange or scarlet, blackening with

age. Stem 30–70×6–10mm; yellow, flushed scarlet, with white base, becoming streaked black. Flesh yellowish in the cap, white in the stem, blackening on exposure to air; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed or free; pale yellow. Spores 8– 11×5–6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Basidia 4-spored. Habitat in grass in fields or woods; autumn. Very common. Edible. Note in my first book I used the name H. nigrescens for the red variety, but now both colour varieties are placed under the name H. conica.

Slimy Waxcap Hygrocybe irrigata

(Pers.) Bon. syn. Hygrophorus unguinosus (Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–4cm across, convex or bell-shaped; greyish-brown; very shiny (this collection is dry and thus looks rather pale and dull). Stem 4–60×3–6mm, slightly wavy and tapering towards base; concolorous with cap, base whitish; very slimy. Flesh greyish; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth, widely spaced but connected by veins; whitish. Spores 7–8.5×4–5μ, broadly elliptical or oval. Spore print white. Habitat in short grass in pastures or open woodland; late autumn. Common. Unknown edibility. Note In my first book this illustration was named Hycrocybe unguinosa.

Blushing Waxcap Hygrocybe ovina

(Bull.) Kühner. syn. Hygrophorus ovinus (Bull.) Fr. Cap 2–8cm across, conicoconvex, irregularly expanding and often broadly umbonate; dark sepia with yellowishbrown margin when fresh, drying pale sepia, bruising bright reddish. Stem 30–60×6– 20mm, often compressed; dark grey-brown, bruising bright reddish. Flesh greybrown; taste strong and unpleasant, smell nitrous, or occasionally absent. Gills dark sepia, discolouring bright reddish on bruising. Spores 7–9×5–6.5μ, broadly elliptical to ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat singly or in small tufts in grass; late summer. Occasional. Not edible.

Parrot Waxcap Hygrocybe psittacina

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus psittacinus (Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across, convex or bell-shaped with broad umbo; usually greenish at first, then more yellowish, often with a pinkish tinge at the umbo, often striate at the margin; covered in greenish gluten, especially when young. Stem 20–40×2–5mm; greenish-yellow with darker, greenish-blue apex; very slimy. Flesh white, tinged with green and yellow; smell mushroomy. Gills adnate, broad; yellowish near edge, becoming more green towards cap. Spores 8–9.5×4–5.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grass on lawns or heaths; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not good, due to sliminess.

Pink Waxcap Hygrocybe calyptriformis

(Berk.) Fayod syn. Hygrophorus calyptriformis (Berk.) Berk. & Broome Cap 3–6cm across, acutely conical, expanding and splitting radially; dusky pink when moist, drying whitish-pink. Stem 60–120×8–10mm; white, sometimes flushed pink at apex; brittle, often splitting longitudinally. Flesh pink in cap, white in stem; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills pale pink. Spores 6–8×4.5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass in pastures and on heaths; autumn. Frequent. Edible but not worthwhile.

Vermilion Waxcap Hygrocybe miniata

(Fr.) P. Kumm. syn. H. strangulata (P.D. Orton) Svrček Cap 0.5–3.5cm across, convex, margin wavy when expanded, centre becoming depressed and scurfy-scaly in older specimens; scarlet-orange with bright yellow, striate margin, drying ochraceous. Stem 18–50×3–6mm, tapering downwards and often becoming compressed; concolorous with cap, paler towards the white base. Flesh orange; taste and smell none. Gills adnate or slightly decurrent; pale yellow at first, later orange. Spores 7– 9×4–5μ, ellipsoid, constricted in some views. Spore print white. Habitat on sandy soil or heathland, also in fields; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Scarlet Waxcap Hygrocybe coccinea

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus coccineus (Schaeff) Fr. Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped; scarlet to blood-red; slimy at first. Stem 20–50×3–10mm, often becoming compressed; concolorous with cap but yellow towards the base; hollow. Flesh yellow-red; taste and smell faint, not distinctive. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth; yellow when young, later blood-red with yellowish edge. Spores 7–9.5×4–5μ, ellipsoid to almond-shaped, often slightly constricted. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass in fields; late summer to autumn. Very common. Edible good. Note the smaller H. punicea (below) is similar.

Hygrocybe helobia

(Arnolds) Bon. Cap 0.5–2cm across, convex; bright scarlet. Stem 20–50×2–5mm; concolorous with cap or more orange; smooth and shiny. Flesh orange-red; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; yellow to vermillion or orange-red with paler yellow edge. Spores 7.5–10×5–6μ, ellipsoid to egg-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in grassy clearings in woodland or on heaths; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility. Note this fungus was not described until 1974; it was shown as Hygrocybe miniata (Fr.) Kummer in my first book. It can be distinguished from the other small, bright red species in this genus by the very distinct, long gill-trama elements.

Goblet Waxcap Hygrocybe cantharellus

(Schwein.) Murrill syn. Hygrophorus cantharellus (Schwein.) Fr. Cap 0.5–4cm across, convex, margin wavy; scarlet, becoming vermilion and often yellowish at the margin; slightly scurfy-scaly. Stem 30–70×1–3mm; orange at apex, concolorous with cap below. Flesh orange. Gills deeply decurrent; pale yellowish, becoming deep eggyellow. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat amongst damp moss; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Crimson Waxcap Hygrocybe punicea

(Fr.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus puniceus (Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, irregularly bell-shaped and often lobed; deep blood-red when fresh, soon fading to orange-red; greasy. Stem 50–120×6–20mm; yellow, flushed with red, white towards the pointed base; surface covered in coarse fibres, becoming hollow. Flesh white at base and in centre of stem, concolorous or yellow under the cuticle; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; yellowish, later becoming flushed with cap colour (the pale gills shown in my collection are unusual). Spores 9–12×5–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat amongst short grass in fields and on heaths; autumn. Common. Edible more substantial and worthwhile than most waxcaps. Note this species can be distinguished from the more common H. coccinea (above) by its larger size and the whitish base of the coarse stem.

Fibrous Waxcap Hygrocybe intermedia

(Pass.) Fayod syn. Hygrophorus intermedius Pass. Cap 2–7cm across, conical with umbo; golden-yellow or deep ochraceous; covered in fine fibrils, especially at the umbo. Stem 60–90×9–18mm; concolorous with cap, yellowish-white at the base; dry and fibrillose, robust. Flesh yellowish; smell mushroomy. Gills whitish to pale yellow. Spores 8–11×5–6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grasslands; autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Cedarwood Waxcap Hygrocybe russocoriacea

(Berk. & T.K. Mill.) P.D. Orton & Watling syn. Cuphophyllus russo-coriaceus (Berk. & Mill.) Bon Cap 0.8–2cm across, convex; white to yellow-ivory, faintly striate. Stem 20–35×2–3mm, slightly wavy and tapering towards the base; whitish. Flesh whitish or tinged ivory-yellow; thick at centre of cap; smell strong, of pencil sharpenings or sandalwood. Gills decurrent, widely spaced; white. Spores 7.5–9×4– 5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in short grass on lawns or heaths; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Snowy Waxcap Hygrocybe virginea

(Wulfen) P.D. Orton & Watling syn. Cuphophyllus virgineus (Wulfen) Kovalenko Cap 1–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened and depressed; white, becoming ivory or tinged ochraceous with age, especially at centre, striate when moist. Stem 25– 50×2–4mm, tapering towards the base; white. Flesh whitish; thick at centre of cap; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, widely spaced; whitish. Spores 7– 9×4–5.5μ in four-spored forms, 10–12×5–6μ in two-spored forms, ellipsoid or pipshaped. Spore print white. Habitat in short grass in pastures and open woodland; autumn. Very common. Edible good.

Hygrocybe vitellina

(Fr.) P. Karst syn. Hygrophorus vitellinus Fr. Cap 1–2cm across, convex, soon expanding and often slightly depressed; bright yellow, margin often striate. Stem 10– 35×1–3mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh yellow; thin; taste none, smell delicate, slightly perfumed. Gills decurrent; bright yellow. Spores 6–8×4.5–5μ, elliptical-ovoid Spore print white. Habitat amongst damp moss; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Heath Waxcap Hygrocybe laeta

(Pers.) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus laetus (Pers.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across, convex; flesh-coloured to pale tawny-brown, faintly striate at the margin; slimy, sticky. Stem 30–70×2–4mm; pale yellow, tinged with cap colour; very slimy, soon becoming hollow. Flesh tawny in cap, more yellowish in stem; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, widely spaced but connected by veins; whitish to fleshcoloured. Spores 5–7.5×4–5μ, broadly ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat on heaths, usually amongst bracken; late autumn. Common. Edible good.

Butter Waxcap Hygrocybe ceracea

(Wulfen) P. Kumm. syn. Hygrophorus ceraceus (Wulfen) Fr. Cap 1–2.5cm across, convex, becoming flattened; deep yellow to pale orange, faintly striate at the margin; greasy. Stem 25–50×2–4mm, narrowing towards the base; concolorous with cap, the base sometimes covered in fine, white down; dry, becoming hollow. Flesh yellow; thin; taste and smell distinctive. Gills adnate-decurrent and connected by veins, yellow with a paler edge. Spores 5.5–7×3μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in short grass in pastureland and on lawns; autumn. Common. Edible.

Hygrocybe reidii

Kühner syn. H. marchii sensu auct. mult. Cap 1–4.5cm across, convex, becoming depressed at the centre; orange-scarlet with all-over golden sheen, yellowish at the margin; hollow. Stem 30–60×3–6mm; rich golden-yellow. Flesh yellowish; taste mild, smell pleasant. Gills decurrent; golden-yellow. Spores 6.5–8.5×4–5μ, ellipsoidovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grass in woods and fields; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility. Note Henrici (2001) notes that kneading the stem flesh releases a honey scent.

Hygrocybe persistens

(Britzelm.) Singer syn. Hygrocybe langei (Kühner) Cap 3–6cm across, conical and slightly lobed with a prominent umbo; golden-yellow, often with touches of orangered in places, striate at the margin; sticky. Stem 30–50×7–12mm; concolorous with cap or paler, often whitish at the base. Flesh yellow; smell faint. Gills adnexed; pale yellow. Spores 11–14×5.5–7.5μ, oblong-ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grassland; summer. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Hygrocybe persistens var. konradii

(R. Haller Aar.) Boertm. Cap 2–6cm across, conical and irregularly lobed with a prominent umbo; chrome-yellow with richer colour at the margin and sometimes at umbo. Stem 30–80×7–10mm; chrome-yellow, white at stem base. Flesh white; smell not distinctive. Gills pale yellow, deepening with age. Spores 9–11×6.5–8μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in grassland; summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note this was shown as H. subglobispora in my first book, but has now been reduced to a variety.

Myxomphalia maura

(Fr.) Hora syn. Omphalina maura (Fr.) Quél syn. Mycena maura (Fr.) Kühner Cap 1– 3cm across, hemispherical to convex with the centre depressed; dark grey-brown, drying paler and shiny. Stem 20–40×2–4mm; paler than cap or concolorous. Flesh white to greyish; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate-decurrent; whitish to pale grey. Spores 5–6.5×3.5–4.5μ, broadly ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid or cylindrical, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on burnt ground in conifer woods; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Arrhenia griseopallida

(Desm.) Watling syn. Omphalina griseopallida (Desm.) Quél. Cap 1–1.5cm across, convex with depressed centre; dark grey-brown, drying pallid. Stem 10–12×2–3mm; concolorous; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh thin; concolorous. Gills decurrent; concolorous with cap. Spores 9–12×5–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass on open heathland; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Micromphale brassicolens

(Romagn.) P.D. Orton Cap 1–2cm across, convex then expanded and often centrally depressed; reddish-brown, faintly striate near the margin when moist, losing this when dry. Stem 15–20×1mm; pale flesh-brown at apex, darkening to reddish-brown below, black towards the base. Flesh whitish to pale brownish; thin; smell strong and very unpleasant, of rotting cabbage. Gills white at first, later tinged flesh-brown at the base. Spores 5–7×3–3.5μ. Spore print white. Habitat on beech litter; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note this fungus is considered to be a Gymnopilus (here-11) by some authors.

Foetid Parachute Micromphale foetidum

(Sowerby) Singer syn. Marasmius foetidus (Sowerby) Antonin, Halling & Noordel Cap 1–3cm across, convex then expanded and slightly depressed at the centre; dingy reddish-buff, darker at the centre; thin, membranous, pliant, and with persistent radiating furrows. Stem 10–25×1–2mm, tapering towards the base; dark brown to black; tough, velvety. Flesh concolorous; very thin; smell fetid. Gills distant, connected by veins; clay-pink. Spores 8–10×3–4μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in troops on fallen twigs of deciduous trees, especially hazel and beech; late summer to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Omphalina pyxidata

(Bull. ex Pers.) Quél Cap 0.5–2cm across, convex, deeply umbilicate; reddish-brown or pinkish-brown to yellowish; smooth, deeply radially fluted. Stem 10–30×1–3mm; paler than cap; smooth. Flesh pallid, brownish. Gills decurrent, widely spaced; brownish. Spores 7–10×4.5–6μ, almond-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in grass on sandy soils; summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Heath Navel Lichenomphalia umbellifera

(L.) Redhead, Lutzoni, Moncalvo & Vilgalys syn. Omphalina ericetorum (Pers.) H.E. Bigelow syn. O. umbellifera (Fr.) Quél. Cap 0.5–2cm across, convex then centrally depressed to funnel-shaped; yellow-buff to yellow-brown, sometimes with an olivaceous tinge; radially striate or grooved. Stem 10–20×2–4mm; more or less cap colour, often with darker brownish apex; base covered in white down. Flesh whitish to ochre; thin. Gills decurrent; pale yellowish-cream. Spores 8–9.5×4.5–5.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat on peaty heathlands; late spring to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Lichenomphalia alpina

(Britzelm.) Redhead, Lutzoni, Moncalvo & Vilgalys syn. Omphalina luteovitellina (Pilát & Nannf.) M. Lange syn. O. flava (Cooke) M. Lange Cap 0.7–1.5cm across, convex then flattened, margin wavy; bright yellow. Stem 10–20×2–4mm; concolorous with cap or paler. Flesh concolorous; thin. Gills strongly decurrent, thick and fleshy, few; pale yellowish. Spores 6.5–9.5×3.5–4μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat on mountains, usually above 750m, especially on peat covered with algal scum; autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Loreleia postii

(Fr.) Redhead, Moncalvo, Vilgalys & Lutzoni syn. Omphalina postii (Fr.) Sing. Cap 0.5–5cm across, convex then centrally depressed; bright orange, striate at the margin. Stem 20–80×1–3mm; pale yellow-orange. Flesh concolorous; thin. Gills decurrent; yellowish. Spores 6–10×4–5.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in damp places, amongst sphagnum, sometimes found on peat used for potting up plants; summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible. Note Henrici in his comments (2001) thinks that this collection is likely to be Loreleia marchantiae (Singer & Clémençon) Redhead, Moncalvo, Vilgalys & Lutzoni, but he notes it is unclear how to separate the two species.

MYCENA These have small conical or bell-shaped caps on long, delicate stems, some of which exude a juice when broken. Note unusual smells, and check the gills to see if there is a dark edge. Some species are found on rotting wood, some on leaf litter and general woodland debris.

Typical members of the genus Mycena. The name comes from the bonnets or caps worn by the Mycenae in ancient Greece.

Golden Navel Chrysomphalina chrysophylla

(Fr.) Cleménçon syn. Gerronema chrysophyllum (Fr.) Sing. syn. Omphalina chrysophylla (Fr.) Murrill Cap 1–5cm across, flat with a shallowly depressed disc and incurved margin, becoming more funnel-shaped in age; ochre to yellowish-brown; moist to dry, minutely hairy to scaly. Stem 20–50×1–5mm, somewhat curved or flattened; orange-yellow, cottony white at the base; stuffed to hollow, smooth, moist. Flesh tinged orange; thin, flexible; smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, distant, narrow to broad; orange-yellow. Spores 8.5–15.5×4.5–6μ, ellipsoid to cylindrical, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print yellowish. Habitat scattered or in clumps on conifer logs; summer to autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Xeromphalina campanella

(Batsch) Kühner & Maire Cap 0.3–3cm across, convex, usually with sunken centre; bright tawny-ochre to cinnamon, with prominent radial lines; smooth. Stem 10– 50×0.5–3mm, often swollen at base; red-brown at base, yellow at apex; smooth, base covered with dense, tawny hairs. Flesh tough; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, widely spaced; cream to ochraceous. Spores 5–7×3–4μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print pale buff. Habitat densely clustered, often 100 or more, on conifer stumps and logs; summer to autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Conifercone Cap Baeospora myosura

(Fr.) Singer syn. Collybia myosura (Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–3cm across, convex to almost flat; pallid-tan to date-brown. Stem 30–50×1–2mm, elongated into a hairy base; pallid, flushed with cap colour. Flesh brownish; thin; taste mild, smell mushroomy. Gills very crowded; whitish. Spores 3–3.5×1.5–2μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat rooting on partly buried pine cones and coniferous debris; autumn to late winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Grooved Bonnet Mycena polygramma

(Bull.) Gray Cap 2–5cm across, conical, becoming expanded and umbonate; dark grey to grey-brown; faintly grooved towards the margin. Stem 60–100×2–4mm, the base rooting; silvery grey, striate. Flesh whitish with a pallid line above the gills; thin; taste mild to slightly acrid, smell pleasant. Gills whitish to grey or pinkish. Spores 9– 10×6–7μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia with swollen base and drawn-out, pointed apex, which may fork, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on twigs or buried wood; summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Mycena alcalina

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, conical, expanding to broadly bell-shaped; greybrown, striate when moist. Stem 20–65×1–3mm; concolorous with cap; smooth. Flesh whitish; thin; taste mild, smell of ammonia. Gills pale grey with whitish edge. Spores 8–12×4.5–6μ, cylindrical- ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat on stumps, usually of conifers; autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile. Note often misidentified as M. stipata Maas Geest & Schwibel.

Angel’s Bonnet Mycena arcangeliana

Bres. syn. M. oortiana Hora Cap 1–5cm across, broadly conical; whitish to greybrown with an olivaceous tint, striate. Stem 20–40×1–2mm; greyish, fading with age; base covered in white down. Flesh white in cap, grey in stem; taste mild, smell strongly iodoform. Gills adnexed, crowded; white at first, becoming pinkish. Spores 7–8×4.5–5μ, pip-shaped; amyloid. Spore print whitish. Cheilocystidia abundant, clavate or ovate, thin-walled, hyaline; densely granulate-warted. Habitat on stumps and branches of deciduous trees; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Common Bonnet Mycena galericulata

(Scop.) Gray Cap 2–6cm across, conical, expanding to bell-shaped with a broad umbo; brown or grey-brown, paler and distinctly striate at the margin. Stem 20– 100×3–8mm, the base often rooting; concolorous with cap, paler near the apex; hollow but tough, base covered in fine, white fibrils. Flesh white; thin; taste mild, smell mealy when crushed, rancid. Gills adnate with decurrent tooth; white at first, becoming flesh-pink. Spores 9–12×6–8μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print cream. Basidia often 2-spored. Cheilocystidia clavate, covered with relatively long, filiform processes. Habitat in clusters on stumps and fallen branches of broad-leaved trees; all year. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Lilac Bonnet Mycena pura

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, rather variable in size, convex with a broad umbo; varying shades of lilac or pink, striate at margin when moist, paler when dry. Stem 50–100×4–10mm; flushed pink; rigid, base covered in fine, white fibres. Flesh white; taste mild, smell radishy. Gills adnate; pink. Spores 6–8×3.5–4μ, subcylindrical; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia bottle-shaped. Habitat in beech litter; summer to winter. Very common. Edible.

Burgundydrop Bonnet Mycena haematopus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–4cm across, conical to bell-shaped; grey-brown with claypink tint, striate at margin when moist, drying light pink. Stem 40–100×2–3mm; greypink, exuding a deep blood-red latex when broken; often fused together to form tufts. Flesh blood-red; taste slightly bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; white, becoming pale pink, often with darker edge. Spores 7–10×5–6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia with swollen base and an abrupt, pointed apex, thin-walled. Habitat on old stumps; autumn. Common. Edible.

Saffrondrop Bonnet Mycena crocata

(Schrad.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, conical, expanding to bell-shaped with umbo; brownish-grey, sometimes with olivaceous flush, becoming stained orange-red by latex. Stem 40–80×2–3mm; lemon-white at apex, saffron below, exuding an orange latex when broken, which gradually stains the stem; white woolliness at base. Flesh saffron; thin; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate; white, staining orange-red. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white to pale buff. Cheilocystidia pyriform, covered with scattered, irregular, short processes. Habitat amongst leaf litter in deciduous woods, especially beech; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Milking Bonnet Mycena galopus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–2cm across, conical or bell-shaped; grey-brown with umber centre, distinctly striate. Stem 50–100×2–3mm; grey, exuding white latex when broken; base covered in white, cottony fibres. Flesh white; very thin; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; white to grey. Spores 11–13×5–6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia conspicuous, fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat amongst leaf litter in woods and hedgerows, and on path sides; summer to autumn. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

White Milking Bonnet Mycena galopus var. candida

J.E. Lange syn. M. galopus var. alba Rea This variety differs from M. galopus (above) only in the pure white colour throughout; it also exudes white latex. Frequent.

Black Milking Bonnet Mycena galopus var. nigra

Rea. syn M. leucogala (Cooke) Sacc. Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped; dark brown to almost black; deeply grooved from margin inwards. Stem 50–100×2–3mm; concolorous with cap, exuding white latex when broken; fine, white down at base. Flesh greyish; very thin; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; grey. Spores 11–13×5– 6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print pale cream. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, thinwalled, hyaline. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Bleeding Bonnet Mycena sanguinolenta

(Alb. & Schwein.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–2cm across, conical to bell-shaped; brownish-red with darker umbo, striate. Stem 45–80×1–2mm; concolorous with cap; exuding blood-red latex when broken. Flesh reddish; very thin; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; whitish or tinged flesh-colour with reddish-brown edge. Spores 9–10×4–5μ, pip-shaped; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, with sharply pointed apex, thin-walled, with brownish contents. Habitat amongst grass on lawns and heaths and in woodlands; summer. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Mycena pearsoniana

Dennis ex Singer syn. M. pseudopura sensu Pearson Cap 1–2cm across, convex, flattening and turning up at margin; pale buff with violet tint, paler and striate at margin. Stem 30–50×2–3mm; pale flesh-coloured. Flesh brownish; thin at margin; taste mild or slightly rancid, smell radishy. Gills horizontal, adnate with decurrent tooth; whitish, flushed violet. Spores 5–7×3.5–4.5μ, pip-shaped; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia numerous, cylindrical with rounded apex, thin-walled. Habitat on spruce debris; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Blackedge Bonnet Mycena pelianthina

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped with a broad umbo, expanding to almost flat; brownish with violaceous tint, drying pale buff. Stem 50–60×4–8mm; violaceous-brown; fibrous at base. Flesh white; thin at margin; taste mild, smell faintly radishy. Gills adnate, distant, sometimes with an uneven edge; violaceous with darker edge. Spores 5–7×2.5–3μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia cylindrical to slightly fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat in beech litter; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Mycena maculata

P. Karst. Cap 1–3cm across, convex, expanding to bell-shaped with a distinct umbo, margin becoming upturned; grey-buff, later stained rust, margin becoming striate. Stem 20–60×2–3mm, several stems fused together at base; white at apex, grey-buff below, tinged rust with age; white down on base. Flesh whitish at first, becoming tinged rust; very thin; taste not distinctive, smell strongly mushroomy. Gills pale grey, then tinged rust. Spores 7–11×4–5μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia pyriform, apex covered with relatively long, filiform, irregular processes. Habitat in small clusters on stumps or logs of beech; autumn. Uncommon. Edible but not worthwhile.

Drab Bonnet Mycena aetites

(Fr.) Quél. syn. M. ammoniaca sensu Lange Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, conical to convex; pale to dark grey, grooved and with a striate appearance when moist, opaque when dry. Stem 30–45×0.5–1mm; concolorous with cap, lighter towards the apex. Flesh whitish, greyish in stem; thin; taste mild, smell none or slightly of ammonia. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth; grey with whitish edge. Spores 9–10×5–5.5μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat in short grass or amongst herbaceous debris; autumn. Frequent. Edible but not worthwhile.

Mycena megaspora

Kauffman syn. M. uracea A. Pearson, Cap 1–3cm across, conical to convex with prominent umbo; grey-brown with darker, almost black, centre; grooved. Stem 20– 40×2–3mm, base often rooting; grey-brown; base often with fine, white hairs. Flesh whitish; thin at centre; taste slightly radishy, smell none. Gills adnate with decurrent tooth; white then pinkish-grey. Spores 8–10×6–7.5μ, broadly ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia pyriform with warted apex. Habitat with heather, especially on burnt heaths; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Nitrous Bonnet Mycena leptocephala

(Pers.) Gillet Cap 1–1.5cm across, bell-shaped; smoky grey, striate when moist; opaque and grooved when dry. Stem 30–55×1–2mm, base slightly rooting; greyish with paler apex; woolly white at base. Flesh whitish, darkening towards the stem base; thin; taste mild, smell strong, of ammonia or ozone. Gills pale grey with whitish edge. Spores 5–10×4–7μ, ellipsoid to subcylindrical; amyloid. Spore print whitish. Cheilocystidia cylindrical to fusoid, often forked at apex, thin-walled. Habitat in short grass; autumn. Common. Not edible too small and unpleasant-smelling.

Iodine Bonnet Mycena filopes

(Bull.) P. Kumm. syn. M. iodolens S. Lundell Cap 0.5–2cm across, conical, expanding to bell-shaped; dark grey-brown with sepia flush, whitish at margin. Stem 10–40×1–3mm, base sometimes rooting; lighter than cap; base covered in fine, white hairs. Flesh pale greyish; thin; smell like iodine, especially when dried. Gills adnate with a decurrent tooth; pale grey with white edge. Spores 9–11×5-7μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Basidia 4-spored. Cheilocystidia sac-like with granular warts. Habitat in deciduous woods or with pine and spruce, often on buried bark; autumn. Common. Not edible. Note in my first book this fungus was identified as M. sepia syn. M. filopes; this taxon has always been a muddle, but it has now been sorted out. It has been found that, like most of the British collections, my specimens were in fact of M. filopes; this has been re-determined by E. Emmett.

Snapping Bonnet Mycena vitilis

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 1.5–3cm across, conico-convex, becoming bell-shaped; grey-brown, paler and striate towards the margin. Stem 40–70×1–2mm, with a rooting base; concolorous with cap or paler, whitish at apex; base covered in fine, white hairs. Flesh whitish; thin; smell slight. Gills crowded, whitish, greyish towards the base. Spores 8–11×5–7.2μ, ellipsoid or often almond-shaped; amyloid. Spore print white. Basidia generally two-spored. Cheilocystidia sac-like with finger-like apical processes. Habitat in mixed woodland, usually attached to buried twigs; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility. Note this fungus was often named Mycena filopes by many authors, including myself in my first book.

Clustered Bonnet Mycena inclinata

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 2–3cm across, conical, expanding to bell-shaped with prominent umbo, margin slightly overhanging the gills and giving a delicately scalloped appearance; bay, darker and striate towards centre. Stem 50–100×2–4mm; whitish at apex, deepening to dark red-brown towards the base; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh thin; whitish; taste mild, smell mealy or rancid. Gills adnate; whitish, becoming flesh-pink. Spores 8–9×6–7μ, ovoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia clavate, the apex covered with relatively long, filiform, irregular processes. Habitat in dense tufts on oak stumps; late summer to autumn. Common. Not edible too small and rancid.

Mycena flavescens

Velen. syn. M. luteoalba var. sulphureomarginata J.E. Lange Cap 0.5–1cm across, conical; yellowish-grey when moist, paler when dry. Stem 30–60×1–2mm; pale buffgrey; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh thin; white; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate; whitish with yellow edge. Spores 8–10×4–5.5μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print whitish-yellow. Cheilocystidia 12–34μ wide, clavate, densely covered at apex with minute warts. Habitat amongst leaf litter under mixed broad-leaved trees, often on sandy soil; autumn. Uncommon. Edible but too small to be worthwhile.

Yellowleg Bonnet Mycena epipterygia

(Scop.) Gray Cap 1–2cm across, convex, expanding to bell-shaped, the margin often delicately toothed; fawn, especially at the centre, with yellowish tinge, having a striate appearance when moist; cuticle viscid, easily removed. Stem 40–70×1–2mm; pale yellow; viscid. Flesh very thin; taste mild, smell slight, not distinctive. Gills subdecurrent; pale pink; the edge is glutinous and can be removed with a needle when fresh. Spores 8–10×4.5–5μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white to pale buff. Cheilocystidia clavate, covered with irregular, knobbly, sometimes branched processes. Habitat in grass or amongst moss in woodland or on heaths; autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Brownedge Bonnet Mycena olivaceomarginata

(Massee) Massee Cap 1–2.5cm across, convex to bell-shaped; olive-brown, striate or grooved at the margin. Stem 50–70×2–3mm; concolorous with cap, lighter at apex; covered in fine, white down at base. Flesh white to brown; very thin; taste mild, smell radishy. Gills adnate; whitish with darker, yellowish-brown or olive edge. Spores 9– 12×5–6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print cream. Cheilocystidia comprising a mixture of fusoid, thin-walled elements and more or less club-shaped bodies, the apex covered in short to elongate, filiform processes. Habitat on unimproved lawns or short grassland; autumn. Occasional. Not edible too small.

Pink Bonnet Mycena rosella

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.5–2cm across, obtusely cone-shaped, convex, sometimes becoming almost flat in age; pink or pinkish-grey, margin fading and becoming more yellowish with age, striate; surface moist, greasy. Stem 25–70×10–15mm; pinky grey; flexible, with base covered in rough, white hairs, greasy but not sticky. Flesh dirty pink to whitish; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills usually horizontal, adnate, close to subdistant, moderately broad; same colour as cap, the edges darker red. Spores 7–9×4–5μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat scattered or in groups on needle beds in coniferous forests; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Ivory Bonnet Mycena flavoalba

(Fr.) Quél. syn. Marasmiellus flavo-albus (Fr.) Singer Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped with prominent umbo, margin becoming upturned and wavy as the cap expands; pale yellow with darker centre, distinctly striate when fresh. Stem 15–30×2–3mm; white to pale yellow; rigid. Flesh white; thin; taste mild, smell radishy. Gills adnate; white. Spores 6–8×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid; nonamyloid. Spore print pale yellow. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat on lawns; late summer to autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Mycena clavicularis

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 1–2cm across, convex, sometimes with a low, rounded umbo when mature; grey-brown or bluish-grey, faintly striate when moist; dusty surface bloom when young, wrinkled in age, greasy to moist. Stem 20–50×1–1.5mm; concolorous with cap, though lighter at the apex; very sticky. Flesh grey or whitish; thin, gristly; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, subdistant to distant, narrow to moderately broad; greyish to sooty with whitish edges. Spores 7–12×4–6μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat among conifer needles; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Bark Bonnet Mycena speirea

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, convex, flattened, or depressed at centre, often papillate; brown-grey, striate from margin to centre. Stem 30–60×1–15mm; pale brown or tinged yellowish-brown. Flesh whitish; very thin; taste mild, smell none. Gills subdecurrent; whitish. Spores 8–10×5–5μ, pip-shaped; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia hair-like, relatively undifferentiated, thin-walled. Habitat on wood and twigs; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Orange Bonnet Mycena acicula

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–10mm, hemispherical; bright orange, becoming paler towards the margin; striate. Stem 20–50×1mm, base rooting; bright yellow, becoming paler towards base; slightly hairy at base. Flesh orange in cap; very thin; taste mild, smell none. Gills ascending; pale yellow with whitish edge. Spores 9–12×3–4μ, fusiform; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia not very prominent, fusoid, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on dead twigs and other woody fragments; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Dripping Bonnet Mycena rorida

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 0.2–1cm across, broadly convex or hemispherical with adpressed disc, margin becoming notched with age; cream to pale grey-brown, striate; furrowed, dry and finely scaly. Stem 10–30×1mm; concolorous with cap; elastic, covered in a thick mucus sheath that thickens towards the base. Flesh pale; thin, quite fragile. Gills arcuate-adnate, becoming decurrent, subdistant, narrow to moderately broad; white. Spores 8–10×4–5μ, narrowly ellipsoid; strongly amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on twigs and plant remains in woods; summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Mycena clavularis

(Batsch.) Sacc. Cap 3–6mm across; white to pale grey, with a striate appearance. Stem 13–25×1–2mm; whitish; small, white, hairy disc at base. Flesh white; very thin; smell none. Gills few; white. Spores 8–10μ in diameter, globose or subglobose; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia clavate with a few long apical filaments, but fugacious. Habitat on bark; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible far too small to consider.

Bulbous Bonnet Mycena stylobates

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.4–1.5cm across, convex to bell-shaped; pallid white, translucent-striate; surface granular, rough when viewed with magnifying glass, moist. Stem 10–60×0.5–1mm, attached to a flat, circular, white disc; bluish-grey when fresh becoming pallid; covered in fine white fibrils, disc edged with hairs. Flesh pale; thin; taste and smell none. Gills attached by a line or narrowly adnate, close, becoming more distant, narrow, becoming broad in age; pale grey, becoming whitish. Spores 6– 8.5×3–4μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Cystidia smooth. Habitat amongst leaves and other woodland debris; summer to autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Milky Bonnet Hemimycena lactea

(Pers.) Singer syn. Mycena lactea (Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–1.5cm across, conical to bell-shaped, margin becoming wavy and irregular when expanded; chalk-white or with pale cream centre, margin striate when moist. Stem 10–50×2–3mm; white; white fibres at base. Flesh white; thin; smell none. Gills adnate; white. Spores 9–11×3–4μ, elongate-elliptical; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia small, the apex often subcapitate, thin-walled. Habitat in large groups amongst conifer needles and other debris; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Orange Mosscap Rickenella fibula

(Bull) Raithelh syn. Mycena fibula (Bull.) Kühner Cap 0.5–1cm across, convex then flattening, with slightly depressed centre; yellow-orange, more strongly so at the centre; has a striate appearance. Stem 20–40×1–2mm; pale orange; slightly downy towards base. Flesh orange; thin; taste mild, smell mushroomy. Gills strongly decurrent; white to pale yellow. Spores 4–5×2μ, narrowly ellipsoid. Spore print white. Pleurocystidia prominent, fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat in damp areas of short grass or moss; summer to autumn. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Collared Mosscap Rickenella swartzii

(Fr.) Kuyper syn. Mycena swartzii (Fr.) A.H. Sm. Cap 0.5–1cm, convex then flattened, often depressed at centre; ochraceous-cream, dark brown at centre. Stem 20–40×1–2mm; violet at apex, pallid below. Flesh cream; thin; taste mild, smell slight, not distinctive. Gills decurrent; white or cream. Spores 4–5×2μ, narrowly ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, thin-walled. Habitat in short grass or moss in damp places; late summer to early winter. Common. Not edible too small.

Powdery Piggyback Asterophora lycoperdoides

(Bull.) Ditmar Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, subglobose; clay-buff, mealy coating of chlamydospores. Stem 5–10×2–5mm; whitish. Flesh grey to dark brown. Gills creamy, covered with persistent white veil. Spores 5.5×3.5μ, broadly elliptical, usually only on young gills; white. Chlamydospores in cap 13–16μ diameter, subglobose, covered in long, blunt processes giving a star-shaped appearance; claybuff. Habitat on rotting Russula nigricans (here); summer to late autumn. Occasional – more common in wet periods. Not edible.

Silky Piggyback Asterophora parasitica

(Bull.) Singer Cap 0.5–1.5cm, convex to bell-shaped at first, then expanded; white with greyish-lilac tinge; silky and very thin. Stem 10–30×1–3mm, often twisted; white, often flushed brownish or lilaceous. Flesh brown; thin. Spores 5–5.5×3–4μ, broadly ovate; white. Chlamydospores formed on gills (rather than the cap as in A. lycoperdoides, above) 15×10μ, ovate, thick-walled, smooth; pale brown. Habitat on old specimens of several species of Russula (here) and certain Lactarius (here); summer to early winter. Occasional. Not edible too small and rare.

Clouded Funnel or Clouded Agaric Clitocybe nebularis

(Batsch.) P. Kumm Cap 5–20cm across, convex at first, becoming flattened or occasionally slightly depressed in the centre, the margin remaining inrolled; cloudy grey, sometimes tinged with buff, darker at the centre; often covered with a white bloom. Stem 50–100×15–25mm, swollen towards the base; paler than the cap; becoming hollow, fibrous and easily broken. Flesh white; thick; smell strong and sweetish. Gills decurrent, crowded; whitish, later with a yellow flush. Spores 5.5– 8×3.5–5μ, ovoid-elliptical. Spore print cream. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woods, often in rings or troops; late summer to late autumn.Very common. Said to be edible but known to cause gastric upsets in many people. Note the European C. nebularis var. alba Bataille differs only in the milk-white cap; it can be distinguished from other white, fleshy Clitocybes by its relatively large spores. Very rare in Britain.

CLITOCYBE These are the Funnels, previously known as Funnel Caps. The caps are often funnel-shaped with an umbo, and the gills are decurrent, often deeply so. Many have strong, distinctive smells of meal or aniseed.

This specimen shows the distinctly decurrent gills of the genus

Common Funnel Clitocybe gibba

(Pers.) P. Kumm. syn. C. infundibuliformis sensu auct. Cap 3–8cm across, funnelshaped, often with a wavy margin; pale pinkish-buff to ochre; silky smooth. Stem 30– 80×5–10mm, slightly swollen towards the base; pale buff; tough. Flesh whitish to buff; smell faint and sweet. Gills decurrent, crowded; whitish. Spores 6–7×3.5–4μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woodland or on heaths; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible.

Aniseed Funnel or Blue-green Clitocybe Clitocybe odora

(Bull.) P. Kumm. syn. C. viridis (With.) Gillet Cap 3–8cm across, convex at first with a low, broad umbo, later expanding and becoming irregular and wavy at the margin; blue-green, greyish, or flushed greenish. Stem 30–60×5–10mm; flushed with cap colour; base covered in fine white down. Flesh whitish to pale tan; taste and smell strongly of aniseed. Gills slightly decurrent; whitish, tinged with cap colour. Spores 6–7.5×3–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in leaf litter of deciduous woods, especially with beech; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible but it is best used as a flavouring rather than a main dish, due to its strong, aromatic taste.

Club Foot Ampulloclitocybe clavipes

(Pers.) Redhead, Lutzoni, Moncalvo & Vilgalys syn. Clitocybe clavipes (Pers.) P. Kumm Cap 4–8cm across, flattened-convex with a slight umbo at first, later slightly depressed; grey-brown or with an olivaceous tint, paling towards the white margin. Stem 30–70×10–15mm, greatly swollen at the base and tapering upwards from there; paler than the cap; covered in silky fibres. Flesh white, becoming more yellow towards base; thick, becoming spongy towards base; smell strong and sweet. Gills deeply decurrent, narrow; pale creamy yellow. Spores 4.5–5×3.5–4μ, subglobose to elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods, especially with beech; late summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible too unpleasant.

Frosty Funnel Clitocybe phyllophila

(Pers.) P. Kumm Cap 3–10cm across, convex at first, later irregularly funnel-shaped with a wavy margin; covered in a dull white bloom first, later flushed pale ochraceous or flesh-colour. Stem 40–65×8–15mm, swollen at the base; concolorous with cap or light tan; base covered in white down. Flesh whitish to tan; smell sweetish. Gills decurrent, crowded; whitish to flesh-coloured. Spores 4–4.5×3–3.5μ, broadly ovate. Spore print pale ochraceous-clay. Habitat amongst leaf litter in deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Clitocybe ericetorum

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 2–5cm across, flattened convex with a central depression, becoming widely funnel-shaped; white then yellow-cream. Stem 30–40×3–5mm; concolorous with cap; downy. Flesh white; taste mild to slightly bitter, smell none. Gills decurrent, widely spaced; white then yellow-cream. Spores 4–5×2–3μ, subglobose to ovate. Spore print white. Habitat on heathland, often amongst heather; summer. Very rare. Unknown edibility.

Trooping Funnel Clitocybe geotropa

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 4–20cm across, convex at first with a broad, prominent umbo, becoming depressed, the margin remaining strongly incurved; pale yellowish-buff when young, later more flesh-coloured. Stem 50–150×20–30mm, with a swollen base; concolorous with cap or paler; slightly downy at the base. Flesh white; smell faint and sweet. Gills decurrent; concolorous with cap. Spores 6.5–7×5–6μ, subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat in grassy clearings or open deciduous or mixed woods, often in rings or troops; autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Clitocybe truncicola

(Peck) Sacc. Cap 1–5cm across, broadly convex with an inrolled margin, becoming flat and then depressed with age; whitish, becoming buff; thickly coated with dense, white, downy hairs. Stem 10–40×2–10mm, base sometimes enlarged and curved; white to pale cream or pale pinky-buff; stuffed; slight bloom at the top, fine, dense hairs below. Flesh white; thin, firm; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate to shortly decurrent, close to crowded, narrow; whitish to creamy buff. Spores 3.5–4.5×2.5– 3.5μ, subglobose to broadly elliptical, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on hardwood stumps and fallen branches; autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Ivory Funnel Clitocybe dealbata

(Sowerby) P. Kumm. Cap 2–4cm across, flattened-convex, becoming slightly depressed; buff, dusted white. Stem 20–35×5–10mm; whitish; mealy at the apex. Flesh whitish; thin except for the centre of the cap; smell faint, mealy. Gills adnate to decurrent, crowded; whitish or cream. Spores 4–5.5×2–3μ, broadly ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in lawns and pastures, often in troops or rings; summer to late autumn. Frequent. Deadly poisonous. Note the name is actually nomen dubium, but has been so widely used that most authors continue to use it. Similar to C. rivulosa (below).

Fragrant Funnel Clitocybe fragrans

(With.) P. Kumm. Cap 1.5–4cm across, flattened-convex, sometimes slightly depressed; hygrophanous, pale yellowish-brown when wet, whitish-cream when drywith darker centre, margin finely striate. Stem 30–60×3–6mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh whitish to buff; thin; smell of aniseed. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent; whitish-buff. Spores 7–8×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat amongst leaf litter, moss, or grass, beneath deciduous trees; late summer to early winter. Common. Edible but best avoided, due to possible confusion with poisonous species.

Mealy Funnel Clitocybe vibecina

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 1.5–5cm across, flattened-convex, becoming depressed in centre; light grey-brown, margin faintly striate when moist, drying cream. Stem 30–50×3– 8mm; paler than cap; covered in fine white down towards the base in young specimens. Flesh whitish to buff; thin; taste and smell of meal. Gills decurrent; pale grey-brown. Spores 5.5–7×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woodland and on heaths, often under bracken; autumn. Frequent. Edible but best avoided, due to possible confusion with poisonous species.

Fool’s Funnel Clitocybe rivulosa

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, convex at first, then flattened and depressed in the centre, the margin remaining slightly inrolled; powdered white, often with concentric rings or markings where the flesh-coloured basic tint shows through. Stem 20–40×4–10mm; concolorous with cap; slightly woolly at the base. Flesh white to buff; smell sweet. Gills decurrent, crowded; whitish to buff. Spores 4–5.5×2.5–3.5μ, ovoid-ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in troops or rings in grass on sandy soil, often along path edges or roadsides; late summer to late autumn. Common. Deadly poisonous. Note this is very close to and sometimes synonymized with C. dealbata (above).

Clitocybe metachroa

(Fr.) P. Kumm. syn. C. dicolor (Pers.) Murrill Cap 3–5cm across, flattened-convex at first, soon deeply depressed; white when dry, pale tan-buff when moist with darker centre. Stem 30–60×4–8mm; concolorous with cap, darkening below; becoming hollow, tough, with silky, white fibres along its length. Flesh tan-buff; thin; smell none or faint, not mealy. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded; white to greyish. Spores 6–7×3.5–4μ, ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Clitocybe houghtonii

(W. Phillips) Dennis syn. Omphalia roseotincta A. Pearson Cap 2–8cm across, initially convex, becoming flattened and often deeply depressed at the centre; pale pinkish-buff when fresh, drying almost white. Stem 30–80×3–8mm, often developing a ring-like swelling at the apex as the fungus dries; concolorous with cap. Flesh white; thin; smell sweetish, reminiscent of crushed tomato leaves. Gills crowded, decurrent; pinkish-cream. Spores 5–6.5×3–4μ, elliptical; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat gregarious in beech litter; late summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Clitocybe sinopica

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, soon funnel-shaped and irregularly wavy towards the margin; tan to light chestnut; more or less downy. Stem 20–35×3–12mm; concolorous with the cap; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh whitish to tan; thin; smell strong, mealy. Gills decurrent; white, becoming tinged flesh-colour. Spores 6– 8×3–4μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially in burnt areas; spring. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note in my first book I named this mushroom C. sinopicoides.

Mealy Frosted Funnel Clitocybe ditopa

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 2–4cm across, flattened-convex with depressed centre, soon becoming funnel-shaped; dark grey-brown, drying paler, with a pale, almost white margin. Stem 25–40×4–8mm; grey-brown; becoming hollow, covered in long, white, cottony fibres towards the base. Flesh brown; thin; smell mealy. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent, rather crowded; dark grey. Spores subglobose, 3–3.5×2.5–3μ. Spore print white. Habitat in conifer woods; autumn. Occasional. Toxicity unknown.

Chicken Run Funnel Clitocybe phaeophthalma

(Pers.) Kuyper syn. C. hydrogramma sensu auct. mult. Cap 2–5cm across, convex to depressed at first, becoming funnel-shaped; hygrophanous, drying almost white. Stem 50–80×3–6mm; concolorous with cap or paler; cartilaginous, hollow, base downy. Flesh whitish; smell strong, unpleasant. Gills deeply decurrent, rather widely spaced; pallid. Spores 5–6.5×3–3.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Surface of cap showing conspicuous, inflated hyphal segments up to 20μ wide, varying in shape from globose to fusoid. Habitat deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Clitocybe dilatata

Pers. ex Karsten Cap 3–15cm across, convex, becoming flat with a swollen umbo, margin incurved, becoming irregular, upturned, and wavy, often misshapen from overlapping; grey then whitish or chalky; dry, smooth, downy. Stem 50–125×5– 20mm, often curved, enlarged towards the base, which is often united with many

others to form a large clump; white, bruising darker at base; solid, becoming hollow, finely felty and furrowed, sometimes minutely scaly towards the base. Flesh firm, thicker on the disc; watery grey to whitish; taste unpleasant, smell none. Gills adnate to decurrent, close, narrow then broad; whitish to buff. Spores 4.5–6.5×3–3.5μ, ellipsoid, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in groups or dense clusters, often overlapping, along roads or in sandy soil or gravel; summer to autumn. Not found in Britain. Poisonous.

Clitocybe trullaeformis

(Fr.) Karst. Cap 1–5cm across, very broadly convex, quickly becoming flatter and then broadly funnel-shaped, sometimes with a slightly wavy margin; grey to pale grey with a dark grey, sometimes almost blackish disc and a pale margin, sometimes becoming striate in age; dry, velvety, or with minute, felty scales on the disc. Stem 10–45×1–5mm, tapering slightly towards the base, which has some rhizoids and white mycelium; pale, dirty fawn or pale greenish-buff; solid, smooth or with minute, hairy furrows. Flesh thin; whitish; taste and smell mealy. Gills adnate to decurrent, close, narrow; whitish to creamy yellow. Spores 5–6.5×3–4μ, ellipsoid, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat scattered or in groups on leaf litter or debris under coniferous or deciduous trees; summer to autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility. Note Moser and Bon use the spelling as above, while on the BMS Checklist the spelling is C. trulliformis (Fr.) Quél.

The Goblet Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis

(Bull.) Singer syn. Cantharellula cyathiformis (Bull.) Singer Cap 2–7cm across, funnel-shaped with a strongly inrolled margin; dark grey-brown to umber, drying paler. Stem 40–80×5–10mm, swollen towards the base; paler than the cap, silky, fibrous white covering, base downy. Flesh pallid; thin; taste mild, smell mushroomy. Gills more or less decurrent; pale grey, becoming brownish with age. Spores 8–11×5– 6μ, ovoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat amongst leaf litter or grass, or on very rotten logs or other debris in mixed woodland; late autumn to winter. Frequent. Edible.

Cantharellula umbonata

(J.F. Gmel.) Singer Cap 2–5cm across, convex, becoming funnel-shaped with small central umbo; greyish-brown to smoky or violaceus-grey; dry and minutely hairy. Stem 25–80×3–7mm; whitish to greyish; tough, stuffed, silky. Flesh white, bruising reddish; taste mild, smell scented. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow, thickish, regularly forked; whitish, bruising reddish or yellow. Spores 8–11×3–4.5μ, smooth; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in tufts on moss in mixed woodlands; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Omphaliaster asterosporus

(J.E. Lange) Lamoure syn. Clitocybe asterospora (J.E. Lange) M.M. Moser Cap 1– 2cm across, flattened convex or slightly depressed; brown to grey-brown and distinctly striate when moist, drying whitish. Stem 20–30×2–3mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh pallid; thin; smell mealy. Gills slightly decurrent; lighter than cap. Spores 4–8μ in diameter, subglobose with sparse, blunt spines. Spore print white. Habitat amongst moss near pines; winter to spring. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Giant Funnel Leucopaxillus giganteus

(Sibth.) Singer syn. Clitocybe gigantea (Sibth.) Quél. Cap 8–30cm across, flat at first, soon deeply funnel-shaped, margin inrolled; ivory, finally flushed tan at the centre; often cracked or scaly. Stem 40–70×25–35mm; whitish; tough. Flesh white; taste and smell faint but pleasant. Gills decurrent, crowded and forked; creamy. Spores 6.5– 7×3–4μ, smooth; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat amongst grass in pastures, along hedgerows, or on roadsides, often in rings; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Leucopaxillus tricolor

(Peck) Kühner Cap 8–30cm across, convex, margin inrolled at first; pinkish-buff to tan. Stem 40–100×10–25mm, bulbous at base; white. Flesh white; thick; taste mild to unpleasant, smell strong, unpleasant. Gills adnate to subdecurrent, crowded, broad; slightly yellowish, drying purplish. Spores 6–8×4–5.5μ, ovoid; isolated warts. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods in mainland Europe, not recorded for Britain; summer to early autumn. Toxicity unknown.

Leucopaxillus gentianus

(Quél.) Kotl. syn L. amarus sensu auct. brit. Cap 5–15cm across, convex-flattened, the margin inrolled at first; nut-brown to vinaceous-brown; dry to slightly subtomentose. Stem 50–100×8–45mm, equal; white to slightly brownish. Flesh white; taste very bitter, smell strong, mealy, pungent. Gills adnate, crowded, narrow; white to cream. Spores 4–5.5×4–5.5μ, globose, with low warts. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woodland; summer to early autumn. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

White-laced Shank Megacollybia platyphylla

(Pers.) Kotl. & Pouzar syn. Tricholomopsis platyphylla (Pers.) Singer Cap 4–10cm across, hemispherical, soon expanded with depressed centre; dark grey-brown with an ochraceous tint; somewhat streaky surface, sometimes disrupting into minute, scurfy scales towards the margin. Stem 30–50×10–13mm, passing into long, rooting mycelial strands; whitish, often flushed with the cap colour, fibrillosely striate; tough. Flesh white; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills very broad; whitish-cream. Spores 6–8×6–7μ, subglobose. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia 50–60×15–25μ, swollen pear-shaped, thin-walled. Habitat attached to deciduous stumps or pieces of buried wood by the tough, white mycelial strands; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible. Note this species was previously included in the genus Tricholomopsis (here).

Catathelasma imperiale

(Fr.) Singer Cap 12–40cm across, convex, becoming flat, margin incurved at first; blackish to dingy brown; slightly sticky, later dry, breaking up into patches. Stem 120–180×50–80mm, tapering to a rooting base; dry, covered by a pinky-brown, membranous sheath. Flesh white; hard, thick; taste and smell mealy. Gills decurrent, close, narrow becoming broad; yellowish to pale greenish-grey. Spores 11–14×4– 5.5μ, cylindrical, smooth; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in conifer woods and parks; late summer to autumn. Rare in mainland Europe, not recorded for Britain. Edible.

MELANOLEUCA The common name for these is Cavalier. Look out for broad, flat caps with a central umbo. The stem flesh may be dark and streaky. Some fruit very early in the season, from late spring.

Melanoleuca

Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis rutilans

(Schaeff.) Singer Cap 4–12cm across, convex to bell-shaped when expanded, often with a low, broad umbo; yellow, densely covered in reddish-purple downy tufts or scales, especially at the centre. Stem 35–55×10–15mm, no mycelial strands; yellow, covered in fine, downy, purplish scales like the cap, but to a much lesser extent. Flesh pale yellow or cream; taste watery, smell like rotten wood. Gills rich egg-yellow. Spores 6–8.5×4–5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia 20–30μ wide, voluminous, thin-walled. Habitat on and around conifer stumps; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Considered edible by some but not recommended.

Prunes and Custard Tricholomopsis decora

(Fr.) Singer Cap 6–17cm across, convex at first, becoming centrally depressed; deep golden-yellow; covered in tiny, brownish-black, fibrillose scales, especially at the centre. Stem 80–180×5–15mm; yellow. Flesh deep yellow; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills deep yellow. Spores 6–8×4–5μ. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia 20–30μ wide, club-shaped, thin-walled. Habitat on conifer stumps in northern regions; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Spring Cavalier Melanoleuca cognata

(Fr.) Konrad & Maubl. syn. Tricholoma cognatum (Fr.) Gillet Cap 4–10cm across, expanded convex and umbonate; ochre-brown to grey-brown; shiny. Stem 60– 120×10–15mm, swollen at the base; cream flushed ochre to grey-brown. Flesh whitish to cream; taste sweetish, smell floury. Gills ochraceous cream. Spores 9– 10×5.5–6μ, elliptical, minutely warted; amyloid. Spore print ochraceous cream. Cheilocystidia lanceolate, sometimes encrusted with crystals at apex, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in coniferous woods; spring and autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Melanoleuca grammopodia

(Bull.) Pat. Cap 7–15cm across, bell-shaped then expanded, often becoming centrally depressed; light to dark grey-brown. Stem 50–120×10–15mm, swollen at the base; grey-brown; longitudinally fibrillose. Flesh whitish; smell mouldy or of mice. Gills white, becoming dirty cream with age. Spores 8.5–9.5×5–6μ, elliptical, minutely warted; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia with swollen base and long, narrow neck, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat deciduous woods or meadows; autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Melanoleuca strictipes

(P. Karst.) Jul. Schäff. Cap 4–10cm across, convex and slightly umbonate; white to cream or pallid, sometimes darker at the centre. Stem 80–140×8–12mm, often twisted, swollen at the base or bulbous; concolorous with cap or paler; fibrous. Flesh white; thick; taste slight, smell strongly of meal. Gills white to cream, sometimes tinged slightly pinkish. Spores 8–9×4.5–5μ, elliptical, minutely warted; amyloid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia lanceolate, often encrusted with crystals at apex, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat amongst grass in open woodland or pasture; early summer to autumn. Rare. Edible but too rare to pick. Note Henrici (2001) comments that the cap and gills here are rather strongly coloured for this species.

Common Cavalier Melanoleuca polioleuca

(Fr) Kühner & Maire Cap 3–8cm, convex then flattened, often slightly depressed with a central boss; dark brown when moist, drying buff; smooth. Stem 40–70×8–14mm, slightly bulbous; whitish; covered in dark grey-brown, longitudinal fibres. Flesh white in cap, flushed ochraceous to ochre-brown from stem base upwards; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills crowded, sinuate; whitish to cream. Spores 7–8.5×5–5.5μ, elliptical, minutely ornamented; amyloid. Spore print cream. Cheilocystidia harpoonshaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat woods and pastures; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Edible but not recommended. Note this is now thought to be the correct name for the species previously referred to as Melanoleuca melaleuca.

Melanoleuca subpulverulenta

(Pers) Singer. Cap 4–8cm across, involute, umbonate; ash-grey; pruinose. Stem 60– 100×7–12mm, swollen at the base; white. Flesh white, browning in the lower stem; taste and smell slight. Gills subdecurrent; white; brittle. Spores 6–8×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Cystidia like a very tall-necked bottle in shape. Habitat in grassy areas in woodland or on roadsides; summer to early winter. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible toxicity unknown.

ARMILLARIA or Honey Fungus, the dread of all gardeners and arboriculturalists, is a very destructive fungus that attacks and often kills living trees and shrubs.

Armillaria

Honey Fungus or Boot-lace Fungus Armillaria mellea

(Vahl) P. Kumm. Cap 3–12cm across, very variable, convex then flattened and centrally depressed or wavy; yellow-ochre or tawny to dark brown, often with an olivaceous tinge; covered in darker, fibrillose scales, especially at the centre. Stem 60–150×5–15mm, often tapering towards the base; yellowish, becoming reddishbrown at the base; initially with a thick, cottony, whitish to yellow ring. Flesh white; taste astringent, smell strong. Gills white then yellowish, becoming pinkish-brown and often darker-spotted with age. Spores 8–9×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print pale cream. Habitat in dense clusters on or around trunks or stumps of deciduous or coniferous trees, especially hazel; summer to early winter. Very common. Edible when cooked, but should only be eaten in small amounts, as some forms are known to cause stomach upsets. Note the fungus spreads by long, black cords called rhizomorphs, resembling bootlaces. These can be found beneath the bark of infected trees, on roots, or in the soil, where they can travel large distances to infect other trees. This is one of the most dangerous parasites of trees, causing an intensive white rot and ultimately death; there is no cure, and the fungus is responsible for large losses of timber each year.

Armillaria cepistipes

Velen. Cap 3–10cm across, very variable, convex; more distinctly yellow than the larger species; covered in darker, fibrillose scales, especially at the centre. Stem 60– 150×5–12mm; yellowish; initially with a thick, cottony, whitish to yellow ring at the apex. Flesh white; taste astringent, smell strong. Gills white at first then yellowish, becoming pinkish-brown and often darker-spotted with age. Spores 8–9×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print pale cream. Habitat in large clusters on or around trunks or stumps of deciduous and coniferous trees or shrubs, especially hazel; summer to early winter. Common. Edible when cooked, but should only be eaten in small amounts as it may cause stomach upsets, and should possibly be considered poisonous. Note in my first book this was included in A. mellea.

Armillaria ostoyae

(Romagn.) Herink Cap 3–15cm across, very variable, convex to shield-shaped; yellow-brown to tawny or dark brown, often with an olivaceous tinge; covered in darker, fibrillose scales, especially at the centre. Stem 60–150×5–15mm, often bulbous towards the base; yellowish, becoming reddish-brown at the base; initially with a thick, cottony, whitish to yellow ring. Flesh white; taste astringent, smell strong. Gills white, then yellowish, becoming pinkish-brown and often darker-spotted with age. Spores 8–9×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print pale cream. Habitat in clusters on or around trunks or stumps of deciduous and coniferous trees or shrubs; summer to early winter. Common. Edible when cooked, but should only be eaten in small amounts, as it may cause stomach upsets and should possibly be considered poisonous. Some mycologists say that this is more likely to be poisonous than other Armillaria. Note in my first book this was named A. polymyces.

Ringless Honey Fungus Armillaria tabescens

(Scop.) Emel Cap 4–8cm across, convex then expanded and irregular; ochre-brown, with darker, cottony scales. Stem 50–80×8–12mm, tapering towards the base; pale ochre-brown; without a ring. Flesh whitish; taste astringent, smell strong. Gills whitish, soon becoming pinkish-brown. Spores 8–10×5–7μ. Spore print pale cream. Habitat in clusters on stumps or roots, especially of oak; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible when cooked. Note this fungus can be distinguished quite readily from A. mellea by the absence of the ring.

LACCARIA The cap colours are very variable, and you may keep picking up the common ones until you get used to them. For this reason, they are often referred to as Deceivers.

Laccaria

The Deceiver Laccaria laccata

(Scop.) Cooke. Cap 1.5–6cm across, convex then flattened, often becoming finely wavy at the margin and centrally depressed; tawny to brick-red, striate at the margin when moist, drying paler to ochre-yellow; surface often finely scurfy. Stem 50– 100×6–10mm, often compressed or twisted; concolorous with cap; tough and fibrous. Flesh reddish-brown; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pinkish, dusted white with spores when mature. Spores 7–10μ diameter, globose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in troops in woods or on heaths; summer to early winter. Very common, but very variable in appearance and therefore often difficult to recognize at first sight, hence the popular name Deceiver. Edible.

Scurfy Deceiver Laccaria proxima

(Boud.) Pat. Cap 2–7cm across, convex then more flattened and often centrally depressed; reddish-brown, drying to almost ochraceous-buff; scurfy. Stem 30–120×2– 5mm, thicker towards the base; concolorous with cap; fibrillose, base covered in white down. Flesh whitish, tinged with cap colour; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pale pink. Spores 7–9.5×6–7.5μ, broadly ovate, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in poor soil on heaths or in bogs; autumn. Common. Edible.

Laccaria purpureobadia

D.A. Reid Cap 2–5.5cm across, convex at first, sometimes with a broad umbo, soon becoming flattened and centrally depressed or wavy at the margin; dark purple-brown when moist, drying paler; becoming distinctly scurfy. Stem 30–60×3–8mm; light vinaceous at the apex, becoming dark purple-brown towards the base; covered in short fibres. Flesh purplish-pink; thin; taste not distinctive, smell none. Gills pale pinkish at first, becoming brownish. Spores 7–10.5×6–8μ, ovoid to broadly elliptical or subglobose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in damp, peaty ground near birch and alder trees; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Bicoloured Deceiver Laccaria bicolor

(Maire) P.D. Orton syn. L. proxima var. bicolor (Maire) Kühner & Romagn. Cap 2– 4.5cm across, convex then flattened, often centrally depressed with an incurved margin; ochraceous-tan, drying pinkish to ochraceous-buff; scurfy. Stem 50–140×4– 10mm; ochraceous-buff to rusty tan; fibrillose, with distinctive lilac down covering the lower third. Flesh whitish, tinged pinkish to ochraceous; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pale lilac at first, becoming clay-lilac and finally pallid. Spores 7– 9.5×6–7.5μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed birch and pine woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Laccaria striatula

(Peck) Peck Cap 1–4cm across, convex, soon becoming flattened; flesh-pink to pinkish-brown, striate; dry. Stem 20–50×2–4mm; pinkish-brown; fibrillose. Flesh brownish; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, thick, widely spaced; pinkish. Spores 9– 12.5×9–12.5μ, globose. Spore print white. Habitat on river banks and in damp places; summer to autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Amethyst deceiver Laccaria amethystina

(Huds.) Cooke. syn. L. laccata var. amethystea sensu auct. Cap 1–6cm across, convex to flattened or centrally depressed; deep purplish-lilac when moist, drying pale lilacbuff; slightly scurfy at centre, especially with age. Stem 40–100×5–10mm; concolorous with cap; becoming hollow, covered in whitish fibres below but mealy near the apex, base covered in lilac down, passing into the lilac mycelium. Flesh tinged lilac; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills often distant; concolorous with cap, becoming powdered white. Spores 9–11μ in diameter, globose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or deciduous woods, often with beech; late summer to early winter. Very common. Edible and worth collecting if found in abundance. Note the now accepted spelling.

Twisted Deceiver Laccaria tortilis

(Bolton) Cooke Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, flattened to centrally depressed, irregularly wavy at margin; pale pinkish-brown, when moist more reddish and striate from margin to centre, drying paler flesh-pink and scurfy. Stem 2–10×1–2mm; concolorous with cap; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills distant; pale pink. Spores 11–14μ in diameter, globose, spiny. Spore print white. Basidia 2-spored. Habitat on bare soil in damp woods, often on banks of streams or ponds; autumn. Occasional. Edible.

St George’s Mushroom Calocybe gambosa

(Fr.) Donk. syn. Tricholoma gambosum (Fr.) P. Kumm. syn. Tricholoma georgii (L.) Quél. syn. Lyophyllum gambosum (Fr.) Singer Cap 5–15cm across, subglobose then expanding, often irregularly wavy and sometimes cracking, margin inrolled; white. Stem 20–40×10–25mm; white. Flesh white; soft; taste and smell mealy. Gills narrow, very crowded; whitish. Spores 5–6×3–4μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in pastureland or grass on roadsides and at wood edges; found traditionally on 23 April, St George’s Day, whence it gets its common name, although more frequently maturing a week or so later. Common. Edible good.

Pink Domecap Calocybe carnea

(Bull.) Donk. syn. Tricholoma carneum (Bull.) P. Kumm. syn. Lyophyllum carneum (Bull.) Kühner & Romagn. Cap 1.5–4cm across, flattened convex; distinctive fleshpink colour, flushed brown at the centre. Stem 20–40×3–7mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh whitish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills white. Spores 4.5–5.5×2.5–3μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in grassland, often in small clumps; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Calocybe constricta

(Fr.) Kuhner ex Singer syn. Lyophyllum leucocephalum (Bull) Singer syn. Tricholoma leucocephalum (Bull.) Sacc in Quél. Cap 3–6cm across, convex, sometimes with an obtuse umbo; silky white, occasionally tinged yellow at the centre; smooth. Stem 40– 60×5–10mm, rooting at the tapering, twisted base; white; smooth. Flesh white; smell mealy. Gills crowded; white. Spores 7–10×4–6μ, ovoid, distinctly warted. Spore print white. Habitat in broad-leaved woods; late summer to autumn, although this collection was made on the 8th of July. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Floccularia luteovirens

(A & S) Gill. syn. Armillaria straminea (Krbh.) Kummer Cap 6–12cm across, convex, with an incurved margin when young; straw-yellow; conspicuous scales, the margin cottony when young; dry. Stem 5–125×12–25mm; whitish, with shaggy yellow scales below the imperfect ring. Flesh mild tasting. Gills sinuate, close, broad; whitish, then lemon-yellow. Spores 6–8.5×4.5–5.5μ, ellipsoid, smooth; weakly amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or deciduous woodland; late summer to autumn. Uncommon in mainland Europe, not recorded for Britain. Unknown edibility.

Yellow Knight Tricholoma equestre

(L.) P. Kumm. syn. T. flavovirens (Pers.) S. Lundell Cap 5–8cm across, expanded convex; bright yellow, often with olive-brown or brown disc; either glabrous or with adpressed scales at centre. Stem 50–100×8–12mm; pale yellow with brownish flakes. Flesh whitish-yellow; taste slightly mushroomy, smell slight, not mealy. Gills bright sulphur- or lemon-yellow. Spores 6–8×3–5μ. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods, less frequently with deciduous trees; late summer to autumn. Uncommon, more common in Scotland. Edible.

European Matsutake Tricholoma caligatum

(Viv.) Ricken syn. Armillaria caligata (Viv.) Gillet Cap 5–12cm across, broadly convex, with the margin sometimes uplifted in age and hung with veil remnants; creamy flesh showing beneath cinnamon-brown patches or scales; dry. Stem 50– 100×20–30mm; white above the ring, cinnamon-brown zones and patches of veil remnants below. Flesh white; taste mild or slightly bitter, smell fragrant, occasionally foul. Gills adnate, close, narrow to moderately broad; white, staining brownish with age. Spores 6–7.5×4.5–5.5μ, broadly ellipsoid, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods, normally in mountains; midsummer to autumn. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List, more common in southern Europe. Edible and much sought after in Japan.

TRICHOLOMA The common name for these is Knight, and they tend to appear late in the season, often fruiting into early winter. They have no ring (with two exceptions). Observe the cap surface: is it greasy, dry, scaly, or hairy? Some have strong smells, often mealy; in some this can only be observed when the mushroom is cut or crushed.

The typical cap colours of Tricholomas vary from pale grey through to browny orange or yellow.

Sulphur Knight Tricholoma sulphureum

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–8cm across, convex with an indistinct umbo; sulphur-yellow,

often tinged reddish-brown or olivaceous. Stem 25–40×6–10mm; sulphur-yellow, covered in reddish-brown fibres. Flesh bright sulphur-yellow; taste mealy, smell strongly of gas tar. Gills bright sulphur-yellow. Spores 9–12×5–6μ. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woodland or, less frequently, with conifers; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Deceiving Knight Tricholoma sejunctum

(Sowerby) Quél. Cap 4–10cm across, conico-convex then expanded; yellowish-green, more brown or greyish-brown towards the centre, radially streaky; moist. Stem 50– 80×10–30mm; white, flushed yellowish. Flesh white, yellowing below the cap cuticle in older specimens; taste mealy. Gills whitish. Spores 5–7×4–5μ. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible too nauseating.

Ashen Knight Tricholoma virgatum

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–7cm across, convex with a broad, low, umbo; brownish-black or greyish, at first with violaceous tints; streaked with very fine, black fibrils. Stem 50–90×10–18mm; white, often flushed with grey; smooth. Flesh white to greyish; taste bitter and peppery, smell musty. Gills greyish, tinged flesh-colour, often browning at the edges. Spores 6.5–8×5–6μ. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Girdled Knight Tricholoma cingulatum

(Almfelt) Jacobashch Cap 3.5–6cm across, expanded convex with a slight umbo; pale grey; covered in fine, grey-brown felt. Stem 50–80×8–12mm; whitish; somewhat woolly ring. Flesh white; taste and smell mealy. Gills emarginate; whitish. Spores 4– 5.5×2.5–3.5μ. Spore print white. Habitat usually with willows; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Tricholoma portentosum

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 5–10cm across, conical to bell-shaped, expanding with a broad umbo; light grey to grey-black, covered in fine, radiating, innate streaks, often with olivaceous or violaceous tints. Stem 40–100×10–20mm; white, often becoming flushed lemon-yellow. Flesh white; taste and smell mealy. Gills white then lemonyellow. Spores 5–6×3.5–5μ. Spore print white. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Grey Knight Tricholoma terreum

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. T. myomyces (Pers.) J.E. Lange Cap 4–7cm across, convex with a low, broad umbo; light to dark grey; downy to felty. Stem 30–80×10–15mm; white; silky smooth. Flesh whitish-grey; taste pleasant, not mealy, smell not distinctive. Gills emarginate, distant; whitish to grey. Spores 6–7×3.5–4.5μ. Spore print white. Habitat in woods, especially with conifers; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Yellowing Knight Tricholoma scalpturatum

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 4–8cm across, pale grey or grey-brown to almost white, often tinged yellowish-brown at the centre; cuticle often breaking into felty scales, leaving the cap even paler in colour. Stem 40–80×6–12mm; white, often faintly flushed with cap colour. Flesh white in cap, greyish in stem; taste and smell mealy. Gills emarginate; white, becoming spotted with yellow, especially when old and beginning to decay. Spores 5–6×3–4μ. Spore print white. Habitat in pine or beech woods; early summer to late autumn. Frequent. Edible but rather mealy. Note in my first book I used the name Tricholoma argyraceum, which has now been found to be incorrect.

Tricholoma argyraceum

(Bull.) Gillet Cap 1–4cm across, conical then expanded with an acute, conical umbo; pale grey at first then almost white, with scattered, minute, grey-brown fibres. Stem 20–30×5–8mm; whitish, often streaked yellowish or brown. Flesh whitish to greybrown; smell slight, unpleasant. Gills white, sometimes yellowing with age. Spores 4.5–6×2.5–3μ. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially in open, grassy spaces near birch; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility. Note in my first book I used the name Tricholoma inocybeoides, which has now been found to be incorrect.

Soapy Knight or Soap Tricholoma Tricholoma saponaceum

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 5–10cm across, convex, becoming expanded with a broad umbo; grey-brown, often with rusty or olivaceous tints, darker at the centre. Stem 50– 100×10–30mm; white with reddish or olivaceous tints. Flesh white, becoming more or less pink; taste mushroomy, smell of soap. Gills rather distant; whitish, sometimes with greenish tints or finally spotted reddish. Spores 5–6×3.5–4μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in troops in deciduous or coniferous woods; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Edible but poor.

Tricholoma saponaceum var. lavedanum

Rolland syn. T. saponaceum var. boudieri. (Barla) Bigeard & Guillem. This rustytinted form is now usually said to be a distinct variety. Very rare.

Tricholoma saponaceum var. squamosum

(Cooke) Rea This variety differs from T. saponaceum var. saponaceum in the dark brown, almost black, scales covering the stem. Uncommon.

Dark Scaled Knight Tricholoma atrosquamosum

(Chevall.) Sacc. syn. T. terreum var. atrosquamosum (Chevall.) Massee Cap 4–12cm across, flattened convex with a slight umbo; grey or pale clay; densely covered with pointed, blackish-grey scales. Stem 30–80×10–20mm; paler than the cap, greyish with blackish scales. Flesh greyish; taste slightly mealy, smell aromatic or peppery. Gills white to grey, the edge dotted with black. Spores 4.5–9×3–6μ. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Tricholoma atrosquamosum var. squarrulosum

(Bres.) Mort. Chr. & Noordel syn. T. squarrulosum Bres. Cap 4–5cm across, flattened convex; grey-brown, covered in blackish-brown scales, darker towards the centre. Stem 40–50×5–8mm; greyish, covered in fine, blackish-brown scales. Flesh whitish to grey; smell mealy. Gills whitish-grey, often slightly flesh-coloured. Spores 7–8×4– 5μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woodland; autumn. Very rare. Edible.

Tricholoma albobrunneum

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 5–8cm across, conico-convex; reddish-brown, covered in fine, innate, radiating fibrils; greasy or viscid. Stem 60–80×10–15mm; whitish above the distinctive ring zone, reddish-brown below; remaining slightly scaly in the upper portion. Flesh white, tinged brownish below the cap cuticle and towards the stem base; smell faintly mealy. Gills white, reddish-brown with age. Spores 5×3–4μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Uncommon, found in Scottish pine woods. Edible but poor and indigestible.

Tricholoma orirubens

Quél. Cap 4–8cm across, conical then expanded with an acute umbo; dark grey, often paler at the margin; covered in cottony or felty, black scales. Stem 40–80×10–15mm; white, becoming flecked with red, often marked green or blue at the base, arising from pale sulphur-yellow mycelium. Flesh white, eventually reddening; taste not distinctive, smell strongly of meal. Gills white to greyish when young, often becoming pink and sometimes spotted. Spores 4–6.5×3–4.5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous or, less frequently, coniferous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Birch Knight Tricholoma fulvum

(Bull.) Bigeard & H. Guill. syn. T. flavobrunneum (Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 4–8cm across, expanded convex with a slight umbo; brown to reddish-brown, finely streaky. Stem 30–70×8–14mm; concolorous with the cap; fibrous. Flesh whitish in the cap, yellow in the stem; taste mild, smell mealy. Gills yellowish, becoming spotted brownish with

age. Spores 5–7×3–4.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous or mixed woodland, usually with birches; autumn. Common. Edible but poor.

Scaly Knight Tricholoma vaccinum

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Cap 4–7cm across, slightly umbonate; flesh-brown, darker towards the centre; disrupting into woolly scales. Stem 30–45×8–12mm; paler than cap; often hollow, fibrous. Flesh pallid to rosy; taste bitter, smell mealy. Gills white at first, later pallid flesh-colour. Spores 5–7×4–5μ, ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in conifer0us woods; late summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Edible but poor.

Matt Knight Tricholoma imbricatum

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–9cm across, conico-convex, dull brown or reddish-brown; smooth at first, then minutely scaly. Stem 35–45×10–12mm; whitish at apex, concolorous with cap below. Flesh white; taste slightly bitter. Gills whitish, becoming spotted reddish-brown. Spores 5–8.5×4–5.5μ. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially with pines; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not recommended.

Burnt Knight Tricholoma ustale

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 4–8cm across, convex at first then expanded; chestnut-brown, paler at the margin, blackening with age; viscid in wet weather. Stem 30–60×10– 15mm; reddish-brown, paler at the apex; fibrous. Flesh whitish, sometimes reddening slightly; taste slightly bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills white, becoming rust-spotted, edges blackening with age. Spores 5.5–7×4–5μ, elliptic-ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with beech; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Poisonous.

Bitter Knight Tricholoma acerbum

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 7–12cm across, convex, margin strongly incurved and usually ribbed; yellowish-buff to tan. Stem 30–70×20–30mm, bulbous and often pointed at base; becoming yellowish-buff below apex, which is covered in densely crowded, minute, yellowish, granular scales. Flesh white; thick; taste peppery and bitter, but sometimes mild, smell fruity. Gills crowded, whitish to yellowish at first, becoming spotted reddish-brown. Spores 4–6×3–4μ, subglobose to ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woodland; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible too bitter and of poor quality, although it is eaten in some places after parboiling.

Aromatic Knight Tricholoma lascivum

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 4–7cm across, convex then flattened and finally slightly depressed; dirty whitish to pallid tan; silky smooth. Stem 75–110×10–15mm, white, discolouring pale brownish. Flesh white; taste sweet and mealy, smell pleasant, sweet. Gills crowded; whitish then cream. Spores 6–7×3.5–4μ, elliptic. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility but best avoided.

Blue Spot Knight Tricholoma columbetta

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 5–10cm across, convex then expanding; silky white, sometimes with greenish, pinkish, or violet-blue spots when old. Stem 40–100×10–20mm, rooting; white, sometimes blue-green at base. Flesh white; firm; taste none, smell not distinctive. Gills crowded; white. Spores 5.5–7×3.5–5μ, oval. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible good, if somewhat fibrous.

Larch Knight Tricholoma psammopus

(Kalchbr.) Quél. Cap 3–8cm across, convex then expanded; yellowish-brown to pale tan. Stem 40–80×10–15mm; apex whitish, becoming densely covered in minute, cottony, reddish-brown scales towards the base. Flesh yellowish-brown; taste bitter, smell none. Gills white at first then straw-yellow, becoming rust-spotted. Spores 6– 7×4–5μ. Spore print white. Habitat with larch; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible too bitter.

Tricholoma ustaloides

Romagn. Cap 4–9cm across, hemispherical to convex, margin inrolled; chestnutbrown, paler towards margin; viscid. Stem 60–100×8–15mm; white at apex, rustybrown and speckled towards base; fragile and very short-lived cortina sometimes present near the top of the stem in young specimens. Flesh white; taste and smell strongly of meal. Gills whitish, becoming spotted with rust. Spores 6–7×4–5μ. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible too mealy. Note normally the stem apex shows a sharply delimited white band.

Gilded Domecap Lyophyllum favrei

(R. Haller. Aar. & R. Haller Suhr) R. Haller. Aar. & R. Haller Suhr syn. Tricholoma favrei R. Haller. Aar. & R. Haller Suhr syn. Calocybe favrei (R. Haller. Aar. & R. Haller Suhr) Bon Cap 5–8cm across, convex, umbonate; slate-blue to blue-lilac. Stem 45–70×10–18mm; similar to cap colour but lighter. Flesh turning pinkish; taste strong, mealy, smell mealy. Gills free; bright golden-yellow. Spores 3.5–5×3–3.5μ, subspherical. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods; late summer to early winter. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List. Not recommended far too rare to collect.

Smoky Domecap Lyophyllum gangraenosum

(Fr.) Gulden. Cap 3–7cm across, convex then flattened; dark grey-brown, sometimes with innate fibrils, often bruising black, especially at margin. Stem 35–70×7–10mm, slightly rooting; whitish above, greying below, bruising blackish. Flesh grey-brown, becoming black when cut; smell fetid. Gills pallid, bruising black. Spores 6–9×2.5– 4μ, oblong, very minutely ornamented. Spore print white. Habitat with pines; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note in my previous book I named this Lyophyllum fumatofoetens.

White Domecap Lyophyllum connatum

(Schumach.) Singer syn. Clitocybe connata (Schumach.) Gillet Cap 3–7cm across, margin often wavy; pure white. Stem 30–60×8–15mm, tapering towards the base; white. Flesh white, gradually becoming violet with iron salts. Gills slightly decurrent; white, gradually violet with iron salts. Spores 6–7×3.5–4μ. Spore print white. Habitat in dense tufts amongst grass in mixed woodland; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Chicken Mushroom, Clustered Domecap Lyophyllum decastes

(Fr.) Singer Cap 4–10cm across, convex then expanded, becoming wavy; grey-brown to brown, with silky or silvery streaks. Stem 30–60×10–20mm, often excentric; white at apex, becoming brownish towards the base; fibrous, tough. Flesh whitish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills white to greyish. Spores 5–7×5–6μ, subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat in clusters on the ground in open woodland; summer to autumn. Common. Edible good. Note some mycologists synonomize L. decastes and L. loricatum (below); some use one name, some the other.

Lyophyllum loricatum

(Fr.) Kühner ex Kalamees Cap 5–12cm across, convex, later expanded and slightly depressed or umbonate; sepia to pale chestnut; cuticle cartilaginous. Stem 50– 100×10–15mm, base somewhat rooting; white to greyish-buff; apex white and floury. Flesh white; firm; taste sweet with a bitter aftertaste, smell slight or nutty. Gills white then straw-coloured. Spores 6–7μ in diameter, globose. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous and mixed woods; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible but it is better not to collect it, because it is uncommon. Note some mycologists synonomize L. decastes (above) and L. loricatum; some use one name, some the other.

Velvet Shank Flammulina velutipes var. velutipes

(Curtis) Singer syn. Collybia velutipes (Curtis) P. Kumm. Cap 2–10cm across, convex at first then flattened; tan-yellow, darkening towards the centre; smooth and slimy. Stem 30–10×4–8mm; yellowish at apex, dark brown and densely velvety below; tough and cartilaginous. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste and smell pleasant. Gills pale yellow. Spores 6.5–10×3–4μ, elliptic. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia present. Cap cuticle cellular, of irregular, clavate elements with elongated, narrow processes and conspicuous, fusiform, somewhat thick-walled dermatocystidia. Habitat in clusters on decaying, deciduous trees, especially elm; late autumn to spring; can survive being frozen solid, and on thawing produces more spores. Very common. Edible.

MARASMIUS Usually small, often tiny, with tall, thin stems and caps that, unlike those of Mycena (here) are generally not conical; some resemble tiny umbrellas or parachutes, and the latter has been taken up as the common name for the genus. They are tough and leathery; if dried out, they will revive on wetting.

Marasmius

Porcelain fungus Oudemansiella mucida

(Schrad.) Höhn. Cap 2–8cm across, convex then flattening; pale greyish when young, becoming more white, often with an ochraceous flush at the centre; semi-translucent, slimy. Stem 30–100×3–10mm; white, striate above the membranous ring, slightly scaly below. Flesh white; thin. Gills distant; pure white. Spores 13–18×12–15μ, subglobose. Spore print white. Cystidia cylindrical or utriform, thin-walled. Cap cuticle hymeniform, of erect, club-shaped cells. Habitat on the trunks of beech, often high up and in large clusters; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible after washing to remove gluten.

Rooting shank Xerula radicata

(Relhan) Dörfelt syn. Oudemansiella radicata (Relhan) Singer Cap 3–10cm across, bell-shaped to convex then flattened with a broad umbo; pallid or ochraceous to olivebrown; slimy, radially wrinkled. Stem 80–200×5–10mm, with thickened, long-rooting base; white at apex, flushed with cap colour towards base. Flesh concolorous; thin. Gills broad; white. Spores 12–16×10–12μ, broadly elliptical; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat under or near deciduous trees, especially beech, attached to roots or buried wood; early summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Marasmius undatus

(Berk.) Fr. Cap 1–2cm across, convex; dirty white to umber with a white bloom, becoming rust-spotted with age. Stem 50–100×1–2mm; white at apex, reddish-brown towards the base; entirely covered in a fine white velvet, base finely hairy. Flesh white in cap, brownish in stem. Gills white to pale yellowish, becoming rust-spotted. Spores 8–11×6–7μ, almond-shaped. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia fusiform, thin-walled. Cuticular cells subglobose, smooth. Habitat on rhizomes and dead stems of bracken; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible toxicity unknown.

Fairy Ring Champignon Marasmius oreades

(Bolton) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, convex then flattened with a large, broad umbo; tan when moist, drying buff, tinged with tan at the centre. Stem 20–100×3–5mm; whitish to pale buff; tough, rigid. Flesh whitish; thick at the centre of the cap; smell of fresh sawdust. Gills distant; white, then ochre-cream. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Cuticular cells subglobose, smooth. Habitat often forming rings in the short grass of pasture or lawns; late spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but great care should be taken in collection, since it can be confused with the deadly Clitocybe rivulosa (here).

Pearly Parachute Marasmius wynnei

Berk. & Broom Cap 2–6cm across, hemispherical to flattened convex; pallid or violet-grey and striate at the margin when moist, drying from centre to cream-buff to clay-pink and slightly wrinkled. Stem 20–100×2–5mm; buff near the apex, reddishbrown to almost black towards base; base finely white-powdered. Flesh whitish in cap, darker in stem. Gills white at first, then pallid or tinged violet. Spores 5–7×3– 3.5μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Cuticular cells subglobose, smooth. Habitat in clusters amongst leaf litter in beech woods; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Leaf Parachute Marasmius epiphyllus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–10mm across, flattened, sometimes depressed; white to creamywhite; membranous and radially wrinkled. Stem 15–30×1mm, hair-like; whitish near apex, reddish-brown below. Flesh fibrous. Gills few, broadly spaced, branched and vein-like; white. Spores 10–11×3–4μ, elongate-elliptical. Spore print white. Cuticular cells subglobose, smooth. Habitat on fallen twigs and leaf petioles; autumn. Frequent. Not edible far too small.

Horsehair Parachute Marasmius androsaceus

(L.) Fr. Cap 0.5–1cm across, convex, the centre often depressed; clay-pink with redbrown centre; membranous and radially wrinkled. Stem 20–60×1mm; black; hair-like, stiff and tough. Flesh white in cap, dark in stem; thin. Gills distant; clay-pink. Spores 6.5–9×3–4μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Cuticular cells irregular, with minute, finger-like processes. Habitat on twigs, needles, leaves, and dead heather, associated with black, horsehair-like mycelium; late spring to late autumn. Common. Not edible far too small. Note this species has now been published as the type for a new genus Setulipes, but not yet adopted by the BMS Checklist.

Garlic Parachute Marasmius alliaceus

(Jacq.) Fr. Cap 1–4cm across, convex to broadly bell-shaped; whitish to pallid or clay-brown, often striate or grooved at margin. Stem 45–200×1–3mm, base rooting; clay-brown at apex, becoming black below; minutely velvety. Flesh whitish in cap, grey in stem; thin; smell strong, of garlic. Gills whitish to pallid. Spores 7–11×6–8μ, broadly elliptic. Spore print cream. Cuticular cells rounded, smooth. Habitat on leaf litter, buried twigs, and other debris, usually beech, especially on chalk; late summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Not edible smells unappetising.

Marasmius cohaerens

(Pers.) Cooke & Quél. Cap 1–3.5cm across, convex-campanulate; dark yellowishbrown to cinnamon, darker at the disk; dry or subhygrophanous at the margin, smooth, tough, pliable, texture revives when remoistened. Stem 20–75×0.75–3mm, slender, with basal pad of white to yellowish mycelium; white-pruinose at apex, yellow-brown below and reddish-brown over lower half; pliant, cartilaginous, dry, very smooth and polished. Flesh pallid or brownish; taste none, but a slight bitter aftertaste, smell somewhat pungent, earthy. Gills adnexed, distant, broad; yellowish-white or brownish at margin. Spores 7–10×3–5.5μ, subfusiform, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat in groups or dense clusters on decaying leaves and twigs in deciduous woods; summer to autumn. Occcasional. Unknown edibility.

Marasmius scorodonius

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across; broadly convex, expanding to almost flat, with an inturned margin that becomes wavy; reddish- or yellowish-brown, becoming faded; dry, smooth, radially wrinkled. Stem 15–60×1–3mm, round to compressed; yellowish-white towards apex, dark brown below; brittle, dry, smooth, shining. Flesh taste and smell of onions or garlic. Gills adnate or nearly free, crowded, narrow, often forked; yellowish-pink to pallid. Spores 7–10×3–5μ, elliptical, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat scattered or in groups in grass or on bark, twigs, needle duff, or other debris; late summer to autumn. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List. Edible but should not be collected due to its rarity.

Orange Pinwheel Marasmius siccus

(Schwein.) Fr. Cap 0.5–3cm across, bell-shaped with flattened or depressed centre and deep, wide, radial pleats; rust-orange to rust-brown or pale tawny; minutely velvety. Stem 20–70×1–2mm, equal; deep brown from base upward, yellowish above; smooth, dry, polished. Flesh pallid, dextrinoid; very thin; taste and smell slight. Gills attached or free, distant, broad, edges even; pallid to buff. Spores 15–21×3–4.5μ, spindle- to club-shaped, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat scattered to gregarious on leaves, wood, twigs, etc, of deciduous trees; summer to autumn. Very rare, rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Collared Parachute Marasmius rotula

(Scop.) Fr. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, convex, centrally flattened and ribbed like a parachute, margin scalloped; whitish, sometimes dark brown in the depressed centre. Stem 20–70×1mm; white at apex, dark brown below. Flesh white in cap, brown in stem. Gills attached to a collar free of the stem; whitish-cream. Spores 7–10×3.5–5μ, elongate elliptical. Spore print white. Cuticular cells subglobose, with tiny, dense, finger-like processes. Habitat gregarious on dead twigs and roots, less frequently on leaves; summer to winter. Common. Not edible.

Goblet Parachute Marasmiellus vaillantii

(Pers.) Singer syn. Marasmius calopus (Pers.) Fr. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, centrally depressed; whitish with rusty-brown tinge at centre; surface uneven. Stem 10–30×1– 2mm, rusty brown. Flesh concolorous; thin. Gills distant; white to cream. Spores 7– 8.5×3–4.5μ, tear-shaped. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia hair-like with irregular, knobbly swellings. Cap cuticle of irregularly branched hyphae. Habitat on leaf litter, dead grass, and other debris; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Twig Parachute Marasmiellus ramealis

(Bull.) Singer syn. Marasmius ramealis (Bull.) Fr. Cap 3–10(15)mm across, convex then flattened or centrally depressed; whitish-pink, often darker in the centre; membranous and often wrinkled. Stem 3–20×1mm, concolorous with cap, darkening towards the curved base; scurfy. Flesh concolorous; thin. Gills distant; white or pinkish. Spores 8.5–10.5×3–4μ, elongate elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat on old stems; early summer to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Marasmiellus candidus

(Bolton) Singer syn. Marasmius candidus (Bolton) Fr. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, convex to flattened; white; membranous. Stem 3–10×1–2mm; white. Flesh white; thin. Gills distant; broadly spaced, becoming irregular and wavy or vein-like. Spores 11.5– 16.5×4–5.5μ, elongate elliptical or spindle-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat on fallen branches or amongst leaf litter; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

COLLYBIA The most distinctive feature of these fungi, known as the Toughshanks, is the tough, fibrous, flexible stem, which has no ring or volva. Some also have strong smells. The gills are often rather crowded, never decurrent. Many members of the traditional Collybia genus are being moved or have been moved to new genera, but there is disagreement amongst authors pending DNA confirmation. I have followed Henrici (2001).

Collybia

Clustered Toughshank Collybia confluens

(Pers.) P. Kumm. syn. Marasmius confluens (Pers.) P. Karst. Cap 3–5cm across, convex; dingy flesh-colour, drying almost white; dry. Stem 30–60×2–5mm, compressed; darker than cap, covered in fine, white down; hollow, tough. Flesh white; very thin. Gills narrow, very crowded; flushed with cap colour. Spores 7–9×3– 4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in dense tufts, often forming rings, in the leaf litter of deciduous or mixed woods; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not recommended. Note this will possibly become Gymnopus confluens.

Redleg Toughshank Collybia erythropus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened and often wavy at margin, centre sometimes depressed; pale tan when moist, drying to pale buff or cream, but remaining tan at the centre, drying wrinkled. Stem 40–70×2–4mm, often compressed; dark red, becoming paler towards the apex, the base covered in dark pink, woolly hairs. Flesh white in the cap, reddish-brown in the stem; smell mushroomy or slightly rancid. Gills free; white to pale buff. Spores 6–8×3.5–4μ, pipshaped. Spore print white. Cap cuticle of repent, coralloid hyphae. Habitat in leaf litter of deciduous woods, often in tufts; autumn. Frequent. Edible but not worthwhile. Note this may move to a new genus Gymnopus.

Collybia oreadoides

(Pass.) P.D. Orton syn. Marasmius oreadoides Pass. Cap 2–5cm across, convex then irregularly expanded; whitish to pinkish-buff, discolouring rusty in patches with age. Stem 30–50×4–10mm, compressed; white. Flesh whitish-buff; taste bitterish, smell pleasant. Gills distant; white to cream. Spores 6–6.5×2.5–3μ, cylindrical to fusiform. Spore print white. Habitat in tufts amongst leaf litter; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

Toughshank, Spindle-shank Collybia fusipes

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 3–7cm across, convex with broad umbo; dark red-brown and slightly viscid when moist, drying smooth and pale tan. Stem 40–90×7–15mm, swollen in the middle, tapering towards a thin, stalk-like, rooting base, the whole stem grooved and twisted along its length and often fused at the base to several others; pale tan at apex, darker towards middle. Flesh whitish, tinged pale reddish-brown; taste mild, smell slight. Gills free or attached to stem by a small, decurrent tooth; whitish then tinged reddish-brown. Spores 4–6×2–3μ, elliptical or pip-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in dense tufts at the base of deciduous trees or stumps, especially beech and oak; spring to early winter. Common. Not edible due to its toughness. Note this fungus will probably be renamed as the type species for the genus Gymnopus.

Collybia acervata

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–5cm across, convex with an incurved margin at first, becoming flatter; reddish-brown, becoming paler, more pinkish-buff to whitish-tan on drying; moist to dry, smooth. Stem 30–100×2–5mm; reddish-brown with white hairs around the lower section and base; hollow, brittle, dry, smooth. Flesh pinkish-white; thin, flexible; taste bitter when cooked. Gills adnate to free, close, narrow; whitish to dingy pale pink. Spores 5–6.5×2–2.5μ, ellipsoidl, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat in dense clusters on decaying or buried logs or stumps of coniferous species, common among conifers; late summer to autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible too bitter.

Spotted Toughshank Collybia maculata

(Alb. & Schwein.) P. Kumm. Cap 4–10cm across, flattened convex; white at first, soon becoming spotted tan-brown on bruising or ageing. Stem 50–100×8–12mm, sometimes rooting; similarly coloured to the cap. Flesh white; taste bitter. Gills free, crowded; white, becoming spotted with rusty brown. Spores 4–6×3–5μ, globose. Spore print cream to pale pink. Habitat in deciduous and especially coniferous woodland and under bracken on heaths; summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible due to its bitter taste and toughness.

Russet Toughshank Collybia dryophila

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, convex, becoming flattened and often wavy at margin; variable in colour from whitish or pale buff to light tan. Stem 20–40×2–4mm, base swollen; flushed tan, darker towards base; hollow. Flesh whitish; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free to adnexed; whitish to buff. Spores 4.5–6.5×3μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cap cuticle of repent, coralloid hyphae. Habitat in deciduous woods; late spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Collybia distorta

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 3–7cm across, convex, becoming flattened with a low, broad umbo; reddish-brown. Stem 40–60×4–8mm, often grooved and twisted; whitish, flushed with cap colour. Flesh pale tan; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate with a slightly uneven edge, crowded; whitish, becoming stained reddish-brown. Spores 3– 4.5μ diameter, globose. Spore print white. Habitat in small tufts in coniferous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Edible but not recommended.

Wood Woollyfoot Collybia peronata

(Bolton) P. Kumm. Cap 3–6cm across, convex then flattened, often with a low, broad umbo; tan to darker brown; becoming wrinkled and leathery with age. Stem 30– 60×3–6mm; yellowish, covered in long, dense, white or yellowish, woolly hairs at the base and lower stem. Flesh whitish, tinged yellowish; taste acrid. Gills adnexed to free, crowded; cream to yellowish-brown or tan. Spores 7–9×3–4μ, elongate pipshaped. Spore print white. Habitat in leaf litter of deciduous or occasionally coniferous woods; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible due to the acrid taste. Note this may move to a new genus Gymnopus.

Collybia fuscopurpurea

(Pers.) P. Kumm. syn. C. obscura J. Favre Cap 2–4cm across, convex then flattened or depressed; dark purple-brownish. Stem 30–70×2–4mm; concolorous with cap, sometimes blackish towards base. Flesh pinkish brown; thin. Gills grey-brown to chocolate-brown. Spores 6.5–7.5×3–4μ, elliptic to teardrop-shaped, thin-walled. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia poorly differentiated, worm-like, sometimes lobed at the blunt tips, thin-walled, hyaline. Surface of cap formed of interwoven, coralloid, thin-walled, brown hyphae, encrusted with granular, dark brown pigment. Interhyphal dark brown pigment granules present in flesh. Habitat in small tufts amongst grass in beech woods; late autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note this may move to a new genus Gymnopus.

Butter Cap Collybia butyracea

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–7cm across, convex, becoming flattened with a distinct umbo, dark reddish-brown to dark ochraceous-buff, drying horn-brown to ivory; greasy to the touch. Stem 25–50×5–10mm, tough, slightly swollen towards the base; similarly coloured to cap; becoming hollow, base covered in white, woolly hairs. Flesh whitish-buff, taste mushroomy, smell mushroomy or slightly rancid. Gills free, crowded; whitish. Spores 6.5–8×3–3.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white or very pale pink. Habitat in leaf litter in deciduous or coniferous woods; autumn to early winter. Very common. Edible but not good. Note easily recognized by the buttery feel of the cap. A second variety has been mooted, C. butyracea var. asema (Fr.) Quél., and it is possible that this is the form shown here: the cap is said to be generally lighter in colour than the species, beige to greyish-cream. I find cap colour a rather unreliable character, as there is a great deal of variety, which is partly dependent on moisture content and the lateness of the season.

Lentil Shanklet Collybia tuberosa

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.3–1.3cm across, convex then flattening, often becoming wavy and depressed at centre; pure white, centre tinged yellowish-green. Stem 15– 25×1mm; white or pallid, arising from a reddish-brown sclerotium. Flesh whitish; very thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, crowded; white. Spores 3– 5×2–3μ, ellipsoid to ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in large groups on decaying fungi, especially Russula nigricans (here) and Lactarius deliciosus (here); autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note there are two other very similar species, C. cookei with yellow sclerotia and C. cirrhata without sclerotia, both of which are probably more common.

Sphagnum Greyling Tephrocybe palustris

(Peck) Donk syn. Collybia palustris (Peck) A.H. Sm. Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped, flattening when expanded; greyish-brown, striate almost to the paler centre, pallid when dry. Stem 20–30×2–3mm; pallid. Flesh pale buff; smell mealy. Gills adnate or with a small decurrent tooth; pale buff. Spores 5.5–8.5×4–5μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat often in troops, in sphagnum; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Tephrocybe mephitica

(Fr) M.M. Moser syn. Collybia mephitica (Fr) Sacc. Cap 1–2cm across, convex, flattening when expanded, umbonate; greyish-brown, lighter towards the edge, pallid when dry; pruinose. Stem 20–40×1–1.5mm; pallid brownish-grey; powdery-granular. Flesh pale buff; taste and smell mealy. Gills close; white to pale pinkish-grey. Spores 3.5–4×2.5μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods on leaf litter; late spring to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Tephrocybe confusa

(P.D. Orton) P.D. Orton syn. Collybia confusa (P.D. Orton) Cap 1–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened; dark greyish-brown, drying pale clay-brown. Stem 35– 50×3–7mm, broader at base; concolorous with cap; hollow. Flesh whitish; thin. Gills adnate, crowded; pale greyish. Spores 4.5–6.5×3–3.5μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially with spruce; autumn. Uncommon. Toxicity unknown.

Rancid Greyling Tephrocybe rancida

(Fr.) Donk, in Grilli syn. Collybia rancida (Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–4cm across, umbonate; leaden-grey with a whitish bloom at first; shiny when wet. Stem 40–80×3–7mm, base long rooting; concolorous with cap; lower part covered in a dense white tomentum, passing into base. Flesh greyish; taste and smell strongly of rancid meal. Gills free, crowded; grey. Spores 7–8×3–4.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat solitary in deciduous woodland; early autumn to early winter. Occasional. Not edible due to rancid taste.

Pinecone Cap Strobilurus tenacellus

(Pers.) Singer syn. Pseudohiatula tenacella (Pers.) Métrod Cap 1–2.5cm across, convex, becoming flattened and umbonate; brown, often paler at centre. Stem 40– 80×1–3mm, base very long and rooting; white at apex, ochre-brown below; tough. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills white. Spores 6– 7.5×2.5–3.5μ. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, thin-walled, hyaline. Cap cuticle of globose cells with a stalked base. Habitat attached to buried pine cones by the long rooting system; spring. Occasional. Not edible too small.

False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca

(Wulfen) Maire Cap 2–8cm across, convex to shallowly funnel-shaped, often remaining incurved at the margin; orange-yellow; finely downy. Stem 30–50×5– 10mm, often curved; concolorous with the cap or darker. Flesh yellowish to orange; tough; taste and smell mushroomy. Gills decurrent, dichotomously forked, narrow; orange. Spores 5.5–7×4–4.5μ, ellipsoid; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods and on heaths; autumn. Very common. Said to be edible but has been known to cause alarming symptoms, such as hallucination, in some cases.

MACROLEPIOTA & LEPIOTA There have been many taxonomic changes in what used to be the rather composite genus Lepiota. The larger species have moved to Macrolepiota, and amongst the small Lepiotas there have also been many shifts, with some species moving to Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus. The common name Dapperling has been adopted for the majority of species. Typically all the genera in this complex have rings; the large ones have a ring that is easily detachable and will move up and down the stem. The colour and type of scales on the cap are important. The gills are normally free from the stem and white or whitish. Smells are important in some cases, others have flesh that turns red or discolours when cut or bruised.

Macrolepiota

Macrolepiota rhacodes var. bohemica

(Wichansky) Bellù & Larzoni syn. M. rhacodes var. hortensis (Pilát.) Wasser syn. Lepiota rhacodes var. hortensis Pilát. Cap 10–15cm across, subglobose at first, expanding to convex; reddish-brown; smooth then disrupting into large, angular scales, exposing the whitish, fibrous subcutaneous layer, except at the centre. Stem 60–70×18–24mm, ending in a large, subspherical bulb 40–60mm across; white, discolouring brownish below large, thick, double ring. Flesh white, discolouring orange or reddish on cutting; taste and smell pleasant. Gills white to cream, eventually dirty buff or brown-spotted. Spores 10–13×7.5–9.5μ, elliptical with germ-pore; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat on rich soil in gardens and compost heaps; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but may cause gastric upsets in some people.

Shaggy Parasol Macrolepiota rhacodes

(Vittad.) Singer syn. Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Vittad.) Vellinga syn. Lepiota rhacodes (Vittad.) Quél. Cap 5–15cm across, ovate, expanding to almost flat; disrupting into broad, pallid, often slightly reflexed scales on a fibrous background, giving the cap a shaggy, torn appearance. Stem 100–150×10–15mm, thickened towards the bulb, which is usually oblique; whitish, tinged dirty pinkish-brown, bruising reddish-brown when fresh; ring double, membranous, movable on the stem. Flesh white, becoming orange to carmine-red on cutting; taste pleasant, smell strongly aromatic. Gills white, tinged reddish in older specimens, bruising reddish. Spores 10– 12×6–7μ, elliptic with germ-pore; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat in woods and shrubberies of all kinds, often with conifers; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible but may cause gastric upsets in some people.

Parasol Mushroom Macrolepiota procera

(Scop.) Singer syn. Lepiota procera (Scop.) Gray Cap 10–25cm across, spherical, button- or egg-shaped, expanding flattened with a prominent umbo; pale buff or greybrown; covered in darker, shaggy scales. Stem 150–300×8–15mm, 40mm across at the bulb; white with a grey-brown felty covering, which becomes split into snake-like markings as the stem expands; ring large, double, white on upper surface, brown below, movable on the stem. Flesh white; thin, soft; taste sweet, smell slight, not distinctive. Gills free; white. Spores 15–20×10–13μ, ovate, with a germ-pore; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat in open woods and pastures; summer and autumn. Common. Edible excellent. Note field photograph (d) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Macrolepiota konradii

(Huijsman ex. P.D. Orton) M.M. Moser syn. Lepiota konradii Huijsman ex. P.D. Orton Cap 7–12cm across, ovate then slightly umbonate, becoming expanded and even depressed; brownish cuticle breaking up into large, adnate scales, exposing the white flesh beneath. Stem 100–150×8–12mm, bulbous, tapering upwards; whitish, covered in small brownish scales. Flesh smell pleasant. Gills white. Spores 13–17×8– 10μ, ovoid, with apical germ-pore; Spore print white. Habitat in pasture, on heaths, and in open woods; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Slender Parasol Macrolepiota mastoidea

(Fr.) Singer syn. M. gracilenta (Krombh.) Wasser syn. Lepiota mastioidea (Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 8–12cm across, subglobose at first, expanding flattened convex with a distinct, acute umbo; white to cream-ochre; covered in minute, pale ochraceous, granular scales. Stem 80–100×8–15mm, slightly swollen at the base; white with small, densely crowded, yellowish-brown granular scales; ring white and thick. Flesh white; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills white. Spores 12–16×8–9.5μ, elliptic. Spore print white. Habitat in open woods; autumn. Occasional. Edible good.

Macrolepiota excoriata

(Schaeff.) Wasser syn. Lepiota excoriata (Schaef.) P. Kumm. Cap 6–10cm across, ovate at first then convex and slightly umbonate; covered in fine, adpressed ochrebuff scales on a white ground. Stem 40–60×8–10mm, slightly thickened at the base; white; smooth; ring narrow and persistent. Flesh white; smell none. Gills white to cream. Spores oval, 12–15×8–9μ. Spore print white to pale ochraceous. Habitat in pasture; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible but avoid, as it can easily be confused with poisonous white-capped species.

Green-gilled Lepiota Chlorophyllum molybdites

(G. May.) Massee Cap 5–30cm across, hemispherical to broadly convex, becoming flatter; whitish underneath, covered with thin layers of pale pinkish-buff volval tissue, breaking up into many small scales and patches as the cap expands; dry, smooth or minutely hairy below, with scales curling up with age. Stem 50–250×8–25mm, sometimes enlarging towards the base; whitish, slowly becoming dingy grey; smooth. Flesh white, discolouring dingy red when bruised; thick; smell faint or slightly pungent. Gills free, close, broad; whitish, slowly becoming dirty grey-green or darker. Spores 8–13×6.5–8μ, ovoid or ellipsoid, with a small germ pore at the tip, smooth, thick-walled. Spore print greenish. Pleurocystidia absent. Habitat occasionally found in heated greenhouses. Poisonous can be confused with edible Macrolepiota species. Note this is a mushroom of tropical and warm areas, including the southern United States. I have included it because it is a poisonous species often eaten in error by Europeans when travelling. The main characteristic distinguishing it from the Macrolepiotas is the green tinge developed by the white gills as they age.

Lepiota oreadiformis

Velen. Cap 2–6cm across, flattened convex with a slight, broad umbo; light ochrebrown at the centre, becoming pale towards the margin; appearing smooth, but minutely felty when viewed under a lens. Stem 30–45×8–12mm; white or whitish; covered in pale, cottony scales; ring zone indistinct. Flesh white at first, becoming brown with age; smell pleasant and sweet. Gills white. Spores 11.5–13.5×4.5–5.5μ, ellipsoid-fusiform; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cap surface formed of elongated, thin-walled, subhyaline, unicellular hairs with short, clavate or ovate cells forming an almost hymeniform layer at their base. Habitat amongst grass in the open; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Stinking Dapperling Lepiota cristata

(Bolton) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, irregularly bell-shaped and umbonate; cuticle reddish-brown; soon broken up, except at centre, into small scales on a white, silky background. Stem 20–35×3–4mm; white, tinged flesh-colour; ring membranous and deciduous. Flesh white; thin; taste pleasant, smell unpleasant, strongly fungusy. Gills white, becoming brownish with age. Spores 6–7.5×3–3.5μ, bullet-shaped; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat in woods, garden refuse, or leaf litter; summer to autumn. Very common. Suspect avoid.

Lepiota felina

(Pers.) P. Karst Cap 2–3cm across, slightly umbonate; whole cap dark brown to almost black in bud, cuticle breaking up into minute, erect scales as cap expands. Stem 30–50×2–4mm; whitish, sprinkled with blackish scales towards the base; fibrillose; ring membranous, white on upper surface, dark grey-brown below. Flesh white, becoming tinged brownish; smell strongly fungusy. Gills white. Spores 6.5– 7.5×3.5–4μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia clavate to obtusely fusiform, thin-walled, hyaline. Surface squamules of tufts of elongated hairs. Habitat in coniferous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Lepiota pseudolilacea

Huijsman syn. L. pseudohelveola Kühner ex Hora Cap 1–2cm across, slightly umbonate; grey-brown to dirty brown; breaking up into fine scales. Stem 25–40×2– 5mm; white, flushed pink-brown; upper surface of ring pinkish, lower brown and flaky. Flesh brownish. Gills white. Spores 7–10×4–5μ, ellipsoid; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia fusoid-inflated, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Freckled Dapperling Lepiota aspera

(Pers.) Quél syn. L. friesii (Lasch.) Quél. syn. L. acutesquamosa var. furcata Kühner syn. Cystolepiota aspera (Pers.) Knudsen Cap 5–10cm across, ovate at first, then obtusely conical or bell-shaped; dark brown at centre, the surface breaking up into dark brown scales elsewhere. Stem 30–50×5–10mm; pallid, often with a few dark brown scales at the extreme base; ring whitish, cottony, often adhering to cap margin. Flesh white. Gills free, crowded and forked near stem; white. Spores 6–8×3–4μ, narrowly fusoid; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia 8–23μ in diameter, subglobose, thin-walled, hyaline. Tips of cap surface scales formed of spherical, brownish cells. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility. Note the spiny species have often been confused.

Lepiota magnispora

Murrill syn. L. ventriosospora D.A. Reid Cap 4–8cm across, conico-convex at first, later expanding to almost flattened; ochraceous, with yellow to brown scales, darker and smooth at the centre. Stem 30–40×4–8mm; concolorous with the cap; covered in large, yellowish, cottony scales, especially towards the base. Flesh whitish in cap, reddish-brown or brown in stem; thin. Gills white. Spores 14.5–17.5×4–5μ, fusoid; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia 9–15μ wide, variable in shape, ovate, clavate, or lageniform. Scales on cap formed of elongated, thin-walled, unicellular surface hairs with rounded, obtuse, or slightly narrowed apex. Habitat in deciduous woodland; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Lepiota hystrix

F.H. Møller & J.E. Lange Cap 4–6cm across, ovate at first then convex, the margin overhanging; surface disrupted into coarse, pyramidal, brownish-black scales, which decrease in size towards the margin, revealing the white subcutaneous layer; the margin exuding reddish droplets, which become dark brown with age. Stem 50– 60×6–10mm; apex whitish and exuding reddish droplets like the cap margin; lower side of ring and rest of stem covered in dark brown scales like the cap. Flesh whitish; taste fungal, like puffballs, smell strong, reminiscent of elderflowers. Gills crowded, not forked; white with blackish edges (not visible in my picture). Spores 6–7×2.5–3μ, narrowly elliptic to subcylindrical; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia clavate, thin-walled. Tips of scales on cap surface formed of brown sphaerocysts. Habitat in deciduous woodland; late summer. Rare. Not edible contains toxins.

Chestnut Dapperling Lepiota castanea

Quél. Cap 2–4cm across, umbonate; bay to chestnut-brown; soon breaking into small, granular scales formed of minute tufts of hairs. Stem 25–35×2–4mm; concolorous with cap and finely brown-scaly below; ring zone inconspicuous. Flesh white in cap, brownish in stem; smell strong and fungusy. Gills whitish, browning with age. Spores 9–13×3.5–5μ, bullet-shaped; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia numerous, 30–47×5–8μ, thin-walled, subcylindrical or clavate; hyaline. Hairs of cap scales thinwalled, elongated, obtuse, septate; brown. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Lepiota echinella var. rhodorrhiza

(Romagn. & Locq. ex P.D. Orton) Hardtke & Rödel. syn. L. rhodorrhiza (Romagn. & Locq.) ex P.D. Orton Cap 1.5–3cm across, convex then flattened; pinkish-brown, ornamented at the centre with small, punctate scales of a brownish-fawn or red-brown tint. Stem 20–50×2–3mm; whitish at first, then pinkish-ochre, rhizoids sometimes bright red; ornamented with fine scales; ring zone indistinct. Flesh whitish with pinkish tint; smell strongly acrid. Gills whitish. Spores 5–7×3–4μ, ovate. Spore print white. Cap scales formed of elongated, non-septate hairs without a hymeniform layer at their base. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; late autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid, as there are some fungi in this group that are deadly poisonous. Note this fungus was misdetermined in my first book as the deadly poisonous L. subincarnata (opposite).

Deadly Dapperling Lepiota brunneoincarnata

Chodat & C. Martin syn. L. helveola sensu Rea Cap 1.5–4cm across, convex then expanded and finally even slightly depressed; vinaceous-brown and felty when young, later disrupting into scales exposing the whitish-pink ground, especially towards the margin. Stem 20–50×5–10mm; white above the short-lived ring, rosy pink and covered in tufted brown scales below the brownish ring zone. Flesh white, becoming pinkish-brown in stem cuticle with age; smell fruity. Gills white to cream. Spores 7– 9.5×4–5μ, elliptic to almond-shaped. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia clavate, thinwalled. Habitat at the edges of woodland, usually on disturbed soil; autumn. Uncommon. Deadly poisonous.

Green Dapperling Lepiota grangei

(Eyre) Kühner. Cap 1–3.5cm across; cream, with blackish-brown to greenish scales. Stem 25–60×3–5mm, with swollen base; concolorous with cap, with scales more prominent on the lower stem and orange staining especially near base; fleeting ring zone. Flesh white, dingy-grey when wet; smell distinct, similar to L. cristata (here). Gills free; cream. Spores 10–12×3–4μ, sausage- to bullet-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods, often in disturbed or coppiced areas; summer to autumn. Rare. Poisonous.

Lepiota fuscovinacea

F.H. Møller & J.E. Lange Cap 3–6cm across; wine-brown; adpressed-scaly, the scales may rub off, leaving the cap bald. Stem 40–70×4–8mm; pale pinky lilac zone near the apex, wine-brown below; slightly woolly bulb. Flesh white, brown and reddening near the cuticle; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; white. Spores 4–5.5×2–3μ, rather sausage-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat in wood edges and thickets; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Deadly poisonous.

Lepiota ignivolvata

Bousset & Joss. Cap 4–10cm across, convex then expanded and umbonate; centre reddish-brown, disrupting into tiny, crowded, ochraceous-cream scales, which become more dispersed towards the margin. Stem 60–120×6–15mm, slightly bulbous; bright orange zone on the edge of the bulb, which often becomes more obvious after collection, and often a similar orange colour on the underside of the ring. Flesh white; taste foul, smell strong and rank. Gills white to cream. Spores 11–13×6μ, fusoid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Not edible.

Lepiota subincarnata

J.E. Lange syn. L. josserandii Bon & Boiffard Cap 2–7cm across; pallid to winebrown; scaly. Stem 20–50×8–15mm, stout; white at the apex, brown below. Flesh white; taste not tried, avoid, smell strong, sweetish. Gills cream, sometimes with a pink edge. Spores 6–8×2.5–4.5μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in wood edges and gardens, often in disturbed places; summer to autumn. Rare. Deadly poisonous.

Lepiota cortinarius var. audreae

D.A. Reid Cap resembling a Cortinarius (here), 4–8cm across; creamy, covered with reddish-brown scales, sometimes in a concentric pattern, with reddish umbo. Stem 60–80×10–15mm; concolorous with cap; slightly scaly basal bulb. Flesh white; smell distinct. Gills free; white. Spores 6.5–8×3–3.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods on litter; summer to autumn. Extremely rare. Not edible avoid, as many of this group are very poisonous.

Shield Dapperling Lepiota clypeolaria

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–8cm across, broadly bell-shaped, becoming flatter with a low, broad umbo, margin ragged from veil remnants, sometimes recurved in mature specimens; cinnamon-brown on the disc, paler and more yellowish-tawny near the edge; dry, velvety, quickly breaking up into scales. Gills free, close, narrow; white. Stem 40–120×3–8mm; whitish or yellowish at the top, becoming more dingy brownish below in age; fragile, covered in soft, cottony, shaggy scales; slight ring left on upper stem by white veil. Flesh white; thin; taste not distinctive, smell mild or slightly pungent. Spores 12.4–18×4.4–5.5μ, fusiform, smooth; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat singly, scattered, or in small groups in mixed or broad-leaved woods, or sometimes swamps; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous.

Girdled Dapperling Lepiota boudieri

Bres. Cap 2–5cm across, umbonate; deep ochre to orange-brown with darker brown centre; almost smooth at first, then covered in adpressed fibrils, which do not disrupt into distinct scales. Stem 30–60×3–6mm; whitish at the apex; covered in brownish, cottony velar remains below the ring zone. Flesh white in cap, brownish in stem; smell strong and fungusy. Gills free; whitish, sometimes with a yellow tinge. Spores 8–9×3.5–4.5μ, bullet-shaped; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cap surface formed of elongated, obtuse, thin-walled, brown hairs; when mounted in water these can be seen to contain pigment granules in the ‘sap’, but these dissolve instantly in the presence of alkali. Habitat in damp woods, especially under hazel; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Leucoagaricus marriagei

(D.A. Reid) Bon syn. Lepiota marriagei D.A Reid. Cap 1–3cm across; centre purplebrown, otherwise soft lilac-pink; finely scaly. Stem 20–50×2–5mm, base swollen; white to pinky brown below; ring brown-edged. Flesh white, not reddening when pressed; taste and smell not recorded. Gills free; white. Spores 6.5–8×3–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia lancet-like to tube-shaped. Habitat in copses, often in disturbed ground; summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Poisonous.

White Dapperling Leucoagaricus leucothites

(Vittad.) Wasser syn. Lepiota naucina (Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 5–8cm across, convex, expanding to almost flattened; whitish, becoming flushed flesh-colour or pale creamochre; smooth and silky. Stem 60–80×8–20mm; concolorous with the cap; ring concolorous, narrow, free of the stem. Flesh white and thick in cap, browning in stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills white, becoming pale flesh-colour with age. Spores 7–9×4.5–5μ, ovoid; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat in gardens or on roadsides; autumn. Occasional. Edible but best avoided due to possible confusion with poisonous species.

Leucoagaricus pilatianus

(Demoulin) Bon & Boiffard syn. Lepiota pilatiana Demoulin Cap 3–7cm across; chestnut-brown, darker in the centre; finely scaly. Stem 50–90×4–100mm, with swollen base; light chestnut-brown towards base; distinct ring rather low on the stem. Flesh white, only very slightly reddening; taste and smell slight. Gills free; white. Spores 5.5–8×3–4.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia present. Habitat in mixed woods, often in disturbed places, this collection found under yew; summer to autumn. Very rare on Red Data List. Poisonous.

Leucoagaricus croceovelutinus

(Bon & Boiffard) Bon & Boiffard syn. Leucocoprinus croceovelutinus Bon & Boiffard Cap 3–4cm across; browny red; margin scaly-floccose, reddening. Stem 50– 90×4–6mm, with a swollen base; concolorous with cap; light ring zone; hollow. Flesh white, brown then reddening near the cuticle; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; cream, marking red when touched. Spores 7–9×3.5–4.5μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia bottle-shaped. Habitat in mixed woods, often in disturbed places, and in greenhouses; summer to autumn. Rare. Poisonous.

Skullcap Dapperling Leucocoprinus brebissonii

(Godey) Locq. syn. Lepiota brebissonii Godey in Gillet Cap 2–3cm across, conical then flattened, margin coarsely grooved; white with uniform dark grey-brown disc, elsewhere ornamented with dark grey-brown scales, becoming more dispersed towards margin; delicate, almost transparent. Stem 45–60×3–6mm, slightly thickened towards the base; pure white; small white ring. Flesh white; thin. Gills crowded; pure white. Spores 9–12.5×5.5–7μ, broadly elliptic or ovoid to almond-shaped, with a germ-pore. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Plantpot Dapperling Leucocoprinus birnbaumii

(Corda) Singer syn. Lepiota lutea (Bolton) Godfrin Cap 2.5–5cm across, ovate, becoming broadly conical or bell-shaped then umbonate and flat, the margin distinctly striate in mature specimens; bright yellow to greenish-yellow or pale yellow, the disc sometimes darker or more brownish; dry, powdery to mealy or minutely scaly in age. Stem 30–100×1–5mm, slender, but slightly enlarged at the base; yellow; dry, smooth, or powdery; veil yellow, partial veil forms a small, collar-like ring on the upper stalk, which may disappear. Flesh yellow; very thin. Gills free, crowded; yellow or pale yellow. Spores 8–13×5.5–8μ, elliptical, with an apical pore, smooth; dextrinoid. Spore print white. Habitat this is a tropical species that can be found in heated greenhouses; all year. Uncommon. Not edible reported as poisonous to some people. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Dewdrop Dapperling Chamaemyces fracidus

(Fr.) Donk syn. Drosella fracida (Fr.) Singer syn. Lepiota irrorata (Quél.) Singer Cap 2.5–10cm across, convex; pale yellowish at first, then straw-coloured; covered in dew-like drops when fresh, which on drying often leave dark brown or blackish spots. Stem 30–40×7–10mm; whitish and smooth above the membranaceous ring, covered in small yellow or brownish scales below, often exuding yellowish or orange-brown droplets. Flesh white; smell unpleasant. Gills white, then yellowish cream. Spores 4– 5×4μ, ovoid. Spore print white. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia abundant and very conspicuous, clavate or fusiform, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in pastureland and open woodland; early summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Redspored Dapperling Melanophyllum haematospermum

(Bull.) Kreisel syn. M. echinatum (Roth) Singer Cap 1–3cm across, conico-convex, becoming bell-shaped and finally expanded; dirty grey-brown; granulate-mealy all over, margin shaggy with velar remains. Stem 20–40×1–3mm; vinaceous pink; covered in greyish-brown meal. Flesh whitish in cap, vinaceous in stem, darkening towards the base; thin; smell strong. Gills deep pink at first, soon discolouring vinaceous or brownish-pink. Spores 5–6×2.5–3.5μ, elliptic-subcylindrical. Spore print pallid, dirty grey becoming reddish. Mealy covering of cap formed of brown sphaerocysts. Habitat on burnt ground or in the rich soil of flowerbeds or compost heaps; spring to summer. Occasional. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Greenspored Dapperling Melanophyllum eyrei

(Massee) Singer syn. Lepiota eyrei (Massee) J.E. Lange Cap 1–3cm across, convex to bell-shaped; cream with ochre-brown centre; granular, veil remnants adhering to margin. Stem 15–25×1–2mm; concolorous with cap, often darkening towards the base; granular. Flesh white in cap, cream to brownish in stem. Gills bluish-green. Spores 4–5×2–2.5μ, oval. Spore print pale green. Cap surface covered with globose, thin-walled cells. Habitat amongst mercury and moss in broad-leaved woods, usually on alkaline soil; late summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cystolepiota adulterina

(F. H. Møller) Bon syn. Lepiota adulterina Møller Cap 1.5–2.5cm across, conicoconvex; initially beige and scurfy with a few cottony warts, later disrupting into thick, mealy, ochraceous warts on a pale cream ground; velar remains adhering to the margin. Stem 30–40×2–4mm; whitish to pinkish, with a scurfy beige covering below the ring zone. Flesh whitish in cap, vinaceous towards the base of the stem. Gills cream. Spores 4–6×2–2.5μ, narrowly elliptic to subcylindrical. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia inconspicuous, thin-walled, clavate with pointed apex. Surface of cap covered with small (15–30μ diameter), globose, thin-walled cells. Habitat in broadleaved woods, amongst scrub of ash, nettle, dog’s mercury; late summer to autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Lilac Dapperling Cystolepiota bucknallii

(Berk. & Broome) Singer & Clémençon syn. Lepiota bucknallii (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. syn. Cystoderma bucknallii (Berk. & Broome) Singer Cap 2–4cm across, umbonate; whitish with a tinge of lilac-violet when young; mealy. Stem 20–45×3– 5mm; pale at the apex, becoming purple-violet below at least on bruising; mealy. Flesh whitish to lilac; thin; smell strongly of gas-tar. Gills free; cream. Spores 7.5– 10×3–3.5μ, elongate ellipsoid; weakly dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia undifferentiated. Mealy surface of cap formed of spherical, thin-walled cells. Habitat in damp deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Possibly poisonous.

Cystolepiota hetieri

(Boud.) Singer syn. Lepiota hetieri Boud. Cap 1–3cm across; cream, reddening when touched; powdery, covered with granular scales. Stem 20–40×2–5mm; concolorous with cap; hollow, woolly, light ring zone. Flesh white then reddish; smell strongly fungusy, similar to Lepiota cristata (here). Gills free; white, reddening quickly. Spores 4–6×2–3μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Cap and stem have floccose sphaerocysts, cheilocystidia clavate with small apical warts, a few pleurocystidia. Habitat in mixed woods, often in disturbed places; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous.

Cystolepiota moelleri

Knudsen syn. Cystolepiota rosea (Rea) Bon syn. Lepiota rosea Rea Cap 2–3cm across, convex then expanded, margin overhanging, appearing toothed; pink at first, becoming brownish-pink with age; densely grainy-mealy. Stem 50–60×3–5mm; white at apex, concolorous with cap below; floccose-granular scales at first; ring narrow, soon disappearing. Flesh white, becoming tinged pinkish, especially towards stem base; smell faint and pleasant according to some authors, this collection however had a very unpleasant smell, strongly fungusy, similar to Lepiota cristata (here). Gills white, later cream. Spores 4.5–6×2.5–3.5μ, elliptic; non-dextrinoid. Spore print white. Cheilocystidia scattered, clavate or bottle-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Mealy surface of cap formed of thin-walled, globose cells. Habitat on damp ground in shady, deciduous woods; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Cystolepiota seminuda

(Lasch) Bon syn. C. sistrata sensu auct. mult. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, conico-convex with a distinct umbo; white with a flesh-colour tinge; mealy. Stem 15–25×1–2mm; white, tinged pinkish towards the base; finely mealy. Flesh white in cap, pinkish in lower stem; thin. Gills white. Spores 3–4×2–2.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print white. Mealy cap surface composed of thin-walled sphaerocysts. Habitat on pathsides or in wood edges; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility. Note some authors separate C. sistrata as a slightly more robust species. In my first book this fungus was named as Lepiota sistrata.

Earthy Powdercap Cystoderma amianthinum

(Scop.) Fayod Cap 2–5cm across, bell-shaped at first, expanding to flattened convex; bright ochre-yellow, cuticle turns red-brown with KOH; mealy surface often becoming indistinctly radially wrinkled with age. Stem 30–50×4–8mm; concolorous with cap; mealy-granular below the short-lived ring. Flesh yellowish; thin. Gills crowded; white at first, becoming creamy yellow. Spores 5–7×3–4μ, elliptic; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on heaths or in coniferous woods; autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Cystoderma cinnabarinum

(Alb. & Schwein.) Fayod syn. C. terrei (Berk. & Broome) Aarmaja Cap 3–8cm across, convex; deep cinnabar-red to orange-brown; covered with granular, pyramidal spines or scales, easily brushed off. Stem 30–60×6–15mm; concolorous with cap; covered below the veil with a granular coating of scales, smooth above the faint ring zone. Flesh white to reddish; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, crowded; white. Spores 3.5–5×2–3μ, ellipsoid, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Facial and marginal cystidia are hair-like. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Cystoderma granulosum

(Batsch) Fayod Cap 1–5cm across, convex; brick to deep red-brown; surface granular-warty. Stem 20–60×3–6mm; concolorous with cap; sheathed up to ring with mealy, granular coating, smooth above; ring slight, soon vanishing. Flesh white; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; crowded; white. Spores 3.5–5×2–3μ, ellipsoid smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Facial cystidia absent. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible possibly poisonous.

White Webcap Leucocortinarius bulbiger

(Alb. & Schwein.) Singer Cap 5–8cm across, convex, pale clay-brown, sometimes with debris of veil leaving brownish, cobwebby patches, especially near the margin. Stem 50–100×10–12mm, base swollen into a large, flattened bulb 25–30mm across; whitish; remains of the cobwebby veil leaving a distinct ring zone. Flesh white, becoming pale clay in the stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills white, becoming cream to pale clay, never turning rust. Spores 7–9×4–5μ, broadly elliptic. Spore print white. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Golden Bootleg Phaeolepiota aurea

(Matt.) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 12–25cm across, obtuse to convex, becoming flatter with a central umbo, the margin often hung with veil remnants; orange-tan to golden brown; dry, granular to powdery. Stem 40–150×10–40mm, expanded towards the base; orange to buff, or similar to cap; smooth above the ring, powdery or granular below; veil sheathing the stem, same colour as cap, granular underneath, smooth above, leaving persistent, flaring to drooping ring. Flesh white or pale yellowish; thick; smell none. Gills adnate to free, close, broad; pale yellow, becoming tawny to orange-brown. Spores 10–14×5–6μ, ellipsoid, smooth to minutely roughened. Spore print yellowish-brown to orange-buff. Habitat on rich soil in mixed woods or at wood edges; autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Not edible mildly poisonous to some people. Note field photograph (e) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

AMANITA This genus does not really have a common name, as many of the species already have well-known names like Fly Agaric and Blusher. Collectively they are often referred to by the Latin name Amanitas. It is a very important genus that includes some extremely poisonous species. All Amanitas have some sort of volva at the base of the stem: be sure to examine the whole stem to aid identification, as the volva may be a large, floppy sac or just the remnants showing up as bulbous ridges. The volva covers the whole mushroom before it begins to expand, and it often leaves volval remnants or patches on the cap in maturity. Some, but not all, have rings on the stem as well as the basal volva. Never eat any species in this genus until you are totally certain that it is edible: remember, it is an Amanita that is reputed to have poisoned the Roman Emperor Claudius Caesar.

(left to right) Amanita pantherina, Amanita muscaria and Amanita citrina

Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria

(L.) Pers. Cap 8–20cm across, globose or hemispherical at first, then flattening; bright scarlet, covered with distinctive pyramidal, white warts, which may be washed off by rain, leaving the cap almost smooth and the colour faded. Stem 80–180×10–20mm

with a bulbous base; white, with the white, membranous ring attached to the stem apex sometimes becoming flushed yellow from the pigment washed off the cap; often covered in shaggy volval remnants, as is the base. Flesh white, tinged red or yellow below the cap cuticle; taste pleasant, smell faint. Gills free; white. Spores 9.5– 10.5×7–8μ, broadly ovate; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat usually with birch trees; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Poisonous. Note this is one of the easiest species to recognize and describe, and consequently its properties have been well documented for centuries. The common name Fly Agaric comes from the practice of breaking the cap into platefuls of milk, used since medieval times to stupefy flies. It is a strong hallucinogen and intoxicant, and is used as such by the Sami of northern Scandinavia. In such cases the cap is dried and swallowed without chewing, and the symptoms begin twenty minutes to two hours after ingestion. The central nervous system is affected, and the muscles of the intoxicated person start to pull and twitch convulsively. This is followed by dizziness and a deathlike sleep; during this stage the mushrooms are often vomited, but the stupor and drunkenness continue. While in this state of stupor, the person experiences vivid visions, and on waking is usually filled with elation and is physically very active. This is due to the nerves being highly stimulated, the slightest effort of will producing exaggerated physical effects; for example, the intoxicated person will make a gigantic leap to clear the smallest obstacle. The Sami may have picked up the habit of eating the Fly Agaric through observing the effects of the fungus on reindeer, which are similarly affected. Indeed, reindeer like it so much that all one has to do to round up a wandering herd is to scatter pieces of Fly Agaric on the ground. Another observation the Sami made from the reindeer was that the intoxicating compounds can be recycled by consuming the urine of an intoxicated person. The effects of this species are exceedingly unpredictable; some people remain unaffected while others have similar, or different, symptoms to those above, and at least one death is attributed to A. muscaria. This unpredictability is due to the fungus containing different amounts of the toxins ibotenic acid and muscimol according to season and the method of cooking and ingestion, as well as the subject’s state of mind. Ibotenic acid is mostly concentrated in the coloured skin of the cap. This very unstable compound rapidly degrades on drying to form muscimol, which is five to ten times more potent. This is an extremely dangerous fungus to ingest, even in small amounts, and should always be treated as deadly poisonous.

Caesar’s Mushroom Amanita caesarea

(Scop.) Pers. Cap 6–18cm across, at first ovate or hemispherical, becoming expanded convex; clear orange-red, fading or ageing more yellowish; smooth and slightly viscid, finely striate at the margin. Stem 50–120×15–25mm; yellow, with a large, yellow, pendulous ring, which is often striate; basal bulb encased in a large, white, bag-like volva. Flesh whitish, distinctly yellow below the cap cuticle; firm, taste pleasant, nutty, smell faint and delicate. Gills free and crowded; yellow. Spores 10– 14×6–11μ, elliptical; nonamyloid. Spore print white to yellowish. Habitat favours open deciduous woodland, especially with oaks, in warm regions; found in more southern areas of Europe, not yet recorded in Britain; summer to autumn. Edible excellent; this species has been a prized esculent since Roman times. It was reputed to be the favourite of Julius Caesar and later of the Emperor Claudius. The story goes that Claudius was murdered by the addition of Deathcaps (Amanita phalloides, here) to a dish of this mushroom prepared for him by his wife.

Grey Spotted Amanita Amanita excelsa var. spissa

(Fr.) Neville & Poumerat syn. A. spissa (Fr.) Opiz Cap 6–10cm across; greyish or brownish, variable; covered in whitish-grey, hoary patches of volva, eventually losing these to become bare and smooth. Stem 60–120×15–25mm with swollen base, which is deeply buried in the ground; white; lined above the large white ring, which also shows strong line marks on its upper surface, covered in small scales below, in a concentric pattern towards the base; the volva is hardly perceivable on the base. Flesh white, turning purple when treated with sulphuric acid; firm; smell slight but unpleasant, radishy. Gills with a slight decurrent tooth, crowded; white. Spores 9– 10×8–9μ, broadly ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woodland, summer to autumn. Frequent. Said to be edible but best avoided, since it can easily be confused with the poisonous A. pantherina (here). The two may be distinguished by the difference of the velar remnants (greyish in A. excelsa, white in A. pantherina) and the presence of a distinct rim around the stem base of A. pantherina. Note this is the common form of A. excelsa; A. excelsa var. excelsa is more slender and lacks the radish odour.

The Blusher Amanita rubescens

Pers. Cap 5–15cm across; rosy brown to flesh colour, sometimes with a yellowish flush, covered with white or slightly reddish patches. Stem 60–140×10–25mm, with bulbous base; white above the striate, membranous ring, white strongly flushed with cap colour below, and becoming reddish near the base, which occasionally has scattered, scaly patches of volva. Flesh white, gradually becoming pink when bruised or exposed to air, especially in the stem; taste mild at first then faintly acrid, smell not distinctive. Gills free; white, becoming spotted with red where damaged. Spores 8– 9×5–5.5μ, ovate; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woodland; summer to autumn. Very common. Edible when cooked, but poisonous raw; the water it is cooked in should be discarded.

Amanita rubescens var. annulosulphurea

Gillet Similar to A. rubescens (above), but generally more slight. The apex of the stem and the ring are tinged pale sulphur-yellow. Habitat in woods and heaths; autumn. Occasional. Edibility as for A. rubescens.

Amanita phalloides

Deathcap Amanita phalloides

(Vaill. ex Fr.) Link Cap 4–12cm across, convex then flattened; variable in colour, but usually greenish or yellowish with an olivaceous flush, although paler, almost white caps do occur; smooth, with faint radiating fibres, often giving it a streaked appearance, slightly shiny when wet. Stem 50–130×10–18mm, thickening towards the large basal bulb; white, flushed with the cap colour and often faintly banded; sometimes becoming hollow, basal bulb encased in a large, white, saccate volva. Flesh white, with a faint yellowish flush below cap cuticle; smell sickly sweet, becoming noticeably stronger after collection. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 8– 10.5×7–8μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose, amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed deciduous woodlands, especially with oak; late summer to autumn. Common. Deadly poisonous. Note There is a white form, which differs from the type in being pure white throughout. Like A. phalloides, it is deadly poisonous. I have collected this form in western France. This is the most deadly fungus in the British Isles, and despite years of detailed research into the toxins it contains, no antidote exists against their effects on the human body. Poisoning by Deathcap is characterized by a delay of 6 to 24 hours between ingestion and the onset of symptoms, during which time the cells of the liver and kidneys are attacked. However, if a gastroirritant has also been consumed, for example as the result of eating a mixed collection of mushrooms, the delay in gastric upset may not occur, and this vital diagnostic evidence will be masked. The next stage

is one of prolonged and violent vomiting and diarrhoea accompanied by severe abdominal pains, lasting for a day or more. Typically this is followed by an apparent recovery, when the victim may be released from hospital or think their ordeal over, but death results from kidney and liver failure within a few days. Although A. phalloides contains many poisonous compounds, it is believed that only those in the group known as amatoxins are responsible for human poisoning. The others, phallotoxins, are considered to be harmless because they are either neutralized by other compounds, present in very low concentrations, so unstable as to be destroyed by cooking or digestive juices, or not absorbed from the intestinal tract. The amatoxins, however, are fully active when ingested. The main constituent of this group is α-amanitin, which through its effect on nuclear RNA in liver cells causes the end of protein synthesis, leading to cell death. When filtered through the kidneys, it attacks the convoluted tubules and instead of entering the urine it is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and recirculated, causing repeated liver and kidney damage. As with any hepatic disease, treatment relies on the monitoring of factors such as blood chemistries and urine output, and the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance. Mortality in cases of amatoxin poisoning is still up to 90%, and any chance of survival depends on early recognition. The tropical fungus Galerina sulcipes has a higher αamanitin content; it is cocasionally found in hothouses.

Panthercap Amanita pantherina

(DC.) P. Kumm. Cap 6–10cm across; ochraceous-brown, the surface covered with small, pure white, warty fragments of the veil; finely striate at the margin. Stem 90– 130×10–15mm, with bulbous base; white; becoming hollow; the ring is tattered and pendulous, not striate or grooved, and the white volva is closely wrapped around the bulbous stem base, forming a distinct free rim around it, and 1 or 2 belt-like rings just above it. Flesh white; taste and smell both mild. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 8– 12×6.7–7.5μ, broadly ovate; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or deciduous woodland, especially with beech; summer to autumn. Occasional to frequent. Poisonous may be deadly.

Grey Veiled Amanita Amanita porphyria

Alb. & Schwein. Cap 5–9cm across, convex becoming flattened; pale greyish-brown with vinaceous flush; smooth. Stem 100–130×10–15mm; whitish; ring thin and fragile, basal bulb encased in a short volva. Flesh whitish, becoming brown; taste unpleasant, smell slight. Gills free to adnexed; white. Spores 7.5–9.5μ diameter, globose; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Amanita franchetii

(Boud.) Fayod syn. A. aspera sensu auct. mult. Cap 7–9cm across; pale or dingy brown; the surface densely covered with the remains of the universal veil, showing as pointed, sulphur-yellow warts. Stem 80–100×20–30mm; pale buff; large, membranous ring often embellished with light sulphur veil remnants, as is the bulbous stem base with the remains of the volva. Flesh white, discolouring brown where eaten by insects and such; smell faint, not distinctive. Gills adnate or with a slight decurrent tooth; white. Spores 9×6–6.5μ, broadly ovate; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Rare. Said to be edible but not worthwhile.

Warted Amanita Amanita strobiliformis

(Paulet ex Vittad.) Bertill. syn. A. solitaria sensu NCL Cap 6–20cm across; white; covered with large, thick, flat, greyish scales. Stem 60–100×8–14mm, ending in a bulbous rooting base with belts of volval remains; shaggy, with delicate, mealy, white scales; ring white and of a delicate, mealy texture. Flesh white, cream in stem base; taste and smell faint and mild. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 10–12×8–10μ, broadly elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat near deciduous woodland, especially on calcareous soils; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Said to be edible but easily confused with other deadly species, so I strongly advise it should never be eaten.

False Deathcap Amanita citrina

Pers. Cap 4–10cm across; ivory to pale lemon especially near the centre; covered in persistent, coarse, whitish patches, which discolour ochre-brown. Stem 60–80×8– 12mm, tapering and longitudinally lined above the membranous ring, with large basal bulb; ivory white; becoming hollow in older specimens; remains of the volva encase basal bulb and create a trough around the stem. Flesh white; taste unpleasant, smell strong, of raw potatoes. Gills adnexed; whitish. Spores 9.5×7.5μ, almost spherical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woods, especially with beech; summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible of no interest, as the strong taste and smell make it unpleasant, and to be avoided due to possible confusion with the deadly A. phalloides (here). A move to using ever-earlier recorded names for fungi possibly means that A. citrina needs to be called A. bulbosa var. citrina, but it is to be hoped that a name in such common usage may be left unchanged.

White False Deathcap Amanita citrina var. alba

(Gillet) Rea This is a frequently occurring form of A. citrina (above), which differs only in being white throughout. It is less strong-smelling than A. citrina, but still disagreeable to taste, and although not poisonous it is still best avoided, since it is easily confused with the deadly Amanitas.

Jewelled Amanita Amanita gemmata

(Fr.) Bertill. syn. A. junquillea Quél. Cap 5–7cm across, flattened convex; pale yellow with more ochre centre, covered in snow-white patches of veil remnants; margin striate. Stem 70–100×10–14mm with large basal bulb; white with pale yellow flush; basal bulb encased in a short, thin volva. Flesh white, flushed pale yellow in the stem; smell faint. Gills adnexed; white. Spores 8.5–9×7–7.5μ, ovoid-subglobose; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous woods; spring to autumn. Uncommon. Deadly poisonous causing symptoms as in A. pantherina (here) poisoning.

Bearded Amanita Amanita ovoidea

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 8–25cm across, remaining at the button stage for a long time and hemispherical at first. Stem 100–150×50mm, ending in a bulbous rooting base; scaly with delicate, mealy, white scales ; volva is sack-like, creamy white to ochraceous in age; ring is white and of a delicate, mealy texture, soon breaking up. Flesh white; taste and smell slight. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 10–12×6.5–7.5μ, broadly elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in or near mixed woodland, on calcareous soils; summer to autumn. Very rare in Britain, on Red Data List, more common for mainland Europe. Said to be edible but easily confused with other deadly species, so I strongly advise it should never be eaten.

Destroying Angel Amanita virosa

(Fr.) Bertill. Cap 5–12cm across, conical at first then campanulate, sometimes with a slight umbo, later expanded but never totally smooth; pure white; slightly viscid. Stem 90–120×10–15mm, often slightly curved, ending in a narrow bulb enclosed in a greyish-tinged, bag-like volva; shaggy, fibrous surface; white, fragile ring is often torn or incomplete. Flesh white, instantly yellow with KOH, separating this species from the rare and deadly poisonous A. verna; smell sickly sweet. Gills free, crowded; white. Spores 8–10μ in diameter, globose; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed or deciduous woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Deadly poisonous causing same symptoms as A. phalloides (here). Note field photograph (c) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Grisette Amanita vaginata

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 5–9cm across, ovate at first, expanding to almost flat with umbo, distinctly striate at margin; typically grey-brown, more rarely darker or lighter, or even white in var. alba (below). Stem 130–200×15–20mm, tapering towards apex; whitish flushed with cap colour; becoming hollow, base enclosed in large, bag-like, grey-tinged volva; no ring. Flesh white; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed, crowded; white. Spores 9–12μ in diameter, globose; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous woods or on heaths; summer to autumn. Common. Edible but best avoided due to possible confusion with the deadly Amanitas.

Amanita vaginata var. alba

A colour variant: many colour forms have been described in the past, but they are now all considered to be part of A. vaginata. Very rare.

Snakeskin Grisette Amanita ceciliae

(Berk. & Broome) Bas syn. A. inaurata Secr. ex Gillet syn. A. strangulata sensu auct. mult. Cap 7–12cm across, convex at first then expanding to broadly bell-shaped, margin distinctly grooved; greyish-brown, covered in large, dingy grey, warty patches of volva. Stem 75–130×15–20mm; pale grey-brown, with distinctive white, shaggy, horizontal bands of veil remnants; bulb encased in an easily broken volva, soon falling away to show oblique ridges; ring absent. Flesh white; smell faint or none. Gills white. Spores 10.5–13μ in diameter, globose; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woodland; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility and best avoided as it is very possibly poisonous.

Tawny Grisette Amanita fulva

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 4–9cm across, ovate at first, expanding to almost flat with low umbo, margin distinctly grooved; orange-brown; smooth, dry. Stem 70–120×8– 12mm, tapering towards apex, becoming hollow; white tinged with cap colour; encased in large, bag-like, similarly coloured volva; no ring. Flesh white; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; white. Spores 9–11μ, globose; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very common. Edible.

Solitary Amanita Amanita echinocephala

(Vittad.) Quél. syn. A. solitaria sensu auct. mult. Cap 6–20cm across; white with a greenish flush, or can vary from ivory to pale brown; the surface covered with pointed, cream warts, less so with age. Stem 80–160×20–30mm, swollen towards the pointed, deeply buried base; upper part white, lower half covered in the remains of the volva. Flesh white, sometimes with a greenish tinge, bruising yellowish in the stem; smell unpleasant. Gills free or with a decurrent tooth; white or tinged yellow-green. Spores 9.5–11.5×6.5–8μ, ellipsoid; amyloid. Spore print white or tinged yellowgreen. Habitat on dry, calcareous soils; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect should not be eaten.

Orange Grisette Amanita crocea

(Quél.) Singer syn. A. vaginata var. crocea Quél. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, becoming flattened or turning up at margin, with a broad umbo; pale yellow-orange or apricot at centre, paler towards the striate margin. Stem 100–150×10–20mm, gradually attenuated towards apex, with a non-bulbous base; covered in silky or cottony tufts of the cap colour throughout, base encased in a thick, persistent volva, which is white on the outside, flushed with the cap colour on the interior surface; no ring. Flesh white, often pale orange below the cap cuticle; thin; taste sweet and nutty, smell sweet. Gills adnexed or free; cream. Spores 11–12.5×9–10μ, subglobose; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat amongst broad-leaved trees, especially birch; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Amanita eliae

Quél. Cap 6–10cm across; creamy-beige to flesh-coloured, with patches of white veil. Stem 80–120mm×8–12mm, slightly bulbous; white to cream-coloured; fleeting white volva, often reduced to a slight band; ring white. Flesh white, tinged cream below the cap cuticle; taste pleasant, smell faint. Gills free; white. Spores 11–13×7–8μ, broadly ovate; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially oak; late summer to late autumn. Rare. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Limacella delicata

(Fr.) Earle Cap 2–5cm across, domed; red-brown to pinkish-red. Stem 30–40×4– 7mm; white; flaky, with double-ring effect. Flesh white; smell and taste distinct. Gills free with a decurrent notch; white. Spores 3.5–5×4μ, spherical. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods and greenhouses; late summer to early winter. Very rare. Not edible.

Limacella guttata

(Pers.) Konrad & Maubl. syn. L. lenticularis (Lasch.) Maire. Cap 6–15cm across, obtusely convex, becoming broader with an umbo, margin incurved and cottony at first, then often splitting radially; background whitish, cuticle dull ochre to pale tan or creamy, then somewhat cracked. Stem 100–150×10–25mm, solid, base enlarged into an oval bulb; creamy, with olive-grey stains in age; longitudinally lined with adpressed hairs above and below the ring; partial veil leaves a thin, floppy, membranous ring, pale pinkish-gray and minutely hairy on both sides. Flesh white; thick; taste mild or slightly mushroomy, smell slightly mealy when wet. Gills free, close, broad; pure white at first, becoming olive-grey in age. Spores 4–5×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid to subglobose, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat scattered or in groups with elm or ash, in damp areas; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Limacella delicata var. vinosorubescens

(Furrer-Ziogas) Gminder syn. L. roseofloccosa sensu auct. Cap 5–8cm across, convex then flat, umbonate; purple at first then blood-red; finely scaly. Stem 40–60×8– 14mm; white then tinted pink; with ring. Flesh wine-coloured; taste and smell mealy. Gills free, distant; white. Spores 3.5–5.3×3–4.5μ, subspherical. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woods, usually with beech and spruce; late summer to winter. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Dripping Slimecap Limacella illinita

(Fr.) Murrill Cap 2–7cm across, round or ovate, becoming convex then flatter or with a broad umbo, the margin hanging with slimy veil remnants; white or creamy white; smooth, very sticky or slimy. Stem 50–90×5–10mm, tapering slightly towards the top; white; sticky or slimy; no ring. Flesh thin, soft; white. Gills notched or free, close, broad; white. Spores 4.5–6.5×4–6μ, globose to broadly ellipsoid, smooth, nonamyloid. Spore print white. Habitat singly, scattered, or in groups in woods, swamps, fields, and sand dunes; late summer to autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Cucumber Cap Macrocystidia cucumis

(Pers.) Joss. Cap 0.8–5cm, conical to bell-shaped, expanding with age; dark blackishbrown to purplish-brown when young and moist, becoming paler reddish-brown as it ages and dries, margin often much paler; smooth. Stem 20–60×1–3mm, slender, cylindrical or slightly flattened; pale cream above, darker orange-brown to blackish at base; usually distinctly velvety. Flesh thin, pale brown; taste very unpleasant, rancid or with cod-liver oil component, smell very strong, a mixture of raw fish and cucumber. Spores 7.5–10×3.5–5μ, narrowly ellipsoid; smooth. Spore print dull pinkish-brown. Cystidia on gill edge large, swollen, with long, narrow point. Habitat in woods and gardens in humus-rich, nitrogen-rich places, now becoming very common on woodchip mulches in gardens; early summer to late autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note thanks to Geoffrey Kibby for description and photograph.

The Miller Clitopilus prunulus

(Scop.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–10cm across, convex then irregularly depressed, lobed and wavy; white to pale cream or greyish; textured like kid leather. Stem 15–25×4–12mm,

often off-centre; concolorous with cap. Flesh white, firm; taste and smell strongly mealy. Gills decurrent; white then pink. Spores 8–14×5–6μ, ellipsoid, longitudinally ridged. Spore print pink. Habitat in grass in open woodland; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible good.

Clitopilus scyphoides

(Fr.) Singer syn. Clitopilus cretatus (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. Cap 0.5–2cm across, flat with a depression, becoming irregularly funnel-shaped with a frequently lobed margin; pale pink to cream or buff with pale cinnamon tinges; smooth, silky-floury. Stem almost none to 2cm, lateral or eccentric; similar colour to cap; smooth. Gills adnexed with a decurrent tooth, not crowded, medium; whitish. Spores 6.5–8.5×3.5– 5μ, ellipsoid to spindle-shaped, with 6–8 longitudinal grooves. Spore print pink. Habitat on humus, rotten wood, or dung; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Volvariella pusilla

(Pers.) Singer syn. V. parvula (Weinm.) Speg. Cap 1–3cm across, conical then bellshaped, becoming almost flat; whitish, tinged yellow at centre, slightly viscid at first, drying silky. Stem 25–40×2–4mm; white; silky; base encased in a white, membranaceous, lobed volva. Flesh white. Gills crowded; white at first, later dark flesh-pink. Spores 5–7×3–5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, broad, subcylindrical to clavate. Habitat amongst grass in pasture, gardens, and open woodland; late spring to autumn. Uncommon. Edible but not worthwhile.

Stubble Rosegill Volvariella gloiocephala

(DC.) Boekhout & Enderle syn. V. speciosa (Fr.) Singer Cap 5–10cm across, ovoid at first then convex to expanded; whitish, greyish-brown at the centre; viscid when moist. Stem 50–90×10–15mm, tapering upwards from the base; white; base enclosed in bag-like, whitish or somewhat greyish volva. Flesh white; taste mild, smell earthy. Gills crowded, broad; white, finally dark pink. Spores 13–18×8–10μ, broadly ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Habitat on well-manured ground, compost heaps, and rotting straw; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible but careful identification is needed to avoid confusion with deadly, white-spored Amanitas (here); the latter have rings, but these may become detached.

Silky Rosegill Volvariella bombycina

(Schaeff.) Singer Cap 5–20cm across, ovoid then bell-shaped; whitish, covered in long, fine, yellowish, silky, almost hair-like fibres. Stem 70–150×10–20mm, often curved, tapering upwards from the bulbous base; volva persistent, membranous, large, somewhat viscid, white at first, discolouring dingy brown. Flesh white, becoming faintly yellowish; taste slight, smell pleasant, like bean sprouts. Gills crowded; white then flesh-pink. Spores 8.5–10×5–6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Habitat dead deciduous trees, usually elm, often in knot-holes or hollow trunks; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible very good.

VOLVARIELLA The spores of these mushrooms will discolour the gills pink as they mature, and the common name for this genus is Rosegill. There is a volva at the base of the stem, but no ring. Some grow on wood, others on compost or rich soil.

LEPISTA Commonly known as Blewits, many of the species in this genus are edible and choice. They are similar to Tricholomas (here), but they have a pale pink spore print.

Wood Blewit Lepista nuda

Lepista luscina

(Fr.) Singer Cap 3–10cm across, convex, becoming flattened or depressed and wavy; grey-brown, often ornamented with darker concentric rings of spots, white and mealy at margin. Stem 30–50×4–6mm; apex white and mealy, greyish-brown below; fibrous. Flesh thin; pallid; taste sweet, mushroomy, smell of meal. Gills crowded; white then greyish. Spores 5–7×3.5–4.5μ, ellipsoid, minutely roughened. Spore print pale pinkish. Habitat in rings in grass; autumn. Rare. Edible.

Lepista sordida

(Fr.) Singer Cap 3–8cm across, convex, becoming flattened, depressed, or slightly umbonate, often wavy; lilac to lilac-brown, fading with age. Stem 40–60×5–8mm, often slightly thickened at base; concolorous with cap; fibrous. Flesh greyish, tinged with lilac; taste mild, smell scented. Gills lilac, fading or becoming lilac-brown with age. Spores 6–7×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid, minutely roughened. Spore print pale greyishlilac. Habitat woodland, often around piles of rotting vegetation; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Wood Blewit Lepista nuda

(Bull.) Cooke Cap 6–12cm across, flattened-convex, becoming depressed and wavy; bluish-lilac at first then more brownish, drying paler. Stem 50–90×15–25mm, often

slightly bulbous at the base; bluish-lilac; fibrillose. Flesh thick; bluish-lilac; taste and smell strongly perfumed. Gills crowded; bluish-lilac, fading with age to almost buff. Spores 6–8×4–5μ, ellipsoid, minutely spiny. Spore print pale pink. Habitat in woodland, hedgerows, and gardens; autumn to winter. Very common. Edible excellent.

Field Blewit or Blue-leg Lepista saeva

(Fr.) P.D. Orton Cap 6–10cm across, convex then flattened or depressed, often wavy at the margin; pallid to dirty brown. Stem 30–60×15–25mm, often swollen at the base; bluish-lilac; fibrillose. Flesh thick; whitish to flesh-coloured; taste and smell strongly perfumed. Gills crowded; whitish to flesh-coloured. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, ellipsoid, minutely spiny. Spore print pale pink. Habitat in pasture, often in rings; autumn to early winter. Frequent. Edible excellent.

Flowery Blewit Lepista irina

(Fr.) H.E. Bigelow Cap 5–10cm across, hemispherical at first, becoming flattenedconvex, often wavy at the margin; clay-pink to reddish-brown. Stem 60–100×10– 20mm; dirty white to pallid; covered in long fibres and often ochraceous near the base. Flesh thick; white; taste and smell strongly perfumed. Gills emarginate, crowded; flesh-coloured, becoming more reddish-brown or cinnamon. Spores 7– 9×3.5–4μ, very minutely spiny. Spore print dirty pink. Habitat in open woodland; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Tawny Funnel Lepista flaccida

(Sowerby) Pat. syn. Clitocybe flaccida (Sowerby) P. Kumm Cap 5–9cm across, flattened-convex at first, then broadly funnel-shaped; pale ochraceous-buff, darkening to tawny with age. Stem 25–50×5–10mm; paler than the cap; becoming hollow, woolly at the base. Flesh pale cream to tan; thin. Gills deeply decurrent, narrow, crowded; whitish-yellow. Spores 4–4.5×3.5–4μ, subglobose, minutely roughened. Spore print white. Habitat in leaf litter in deciduous or coniferous woods, often in clustered groups; summer to early winter. Very common. Edible poor. Note many mycologists consider C. inversa (Scop.) Quél. to be a synonym of this, others consider them separate species.

Rhodocybe gemina

(Fr.) Kuyper & Noordel. syn. R. truncata sensu auct. Cap 5–10cm across, convex; flesh-coloured to reddish. Stem 30–50×8–15mm; pallid, creamy flesh-coloured. Flesh creamy white; firm; taste and smell mealy. Gills slightly decurrent; creamy. Spores 5–7.5×4–5μ, ellipsoid; finely warted. Spore print pinkish. Habitat in mixed woods; summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Rhodocybe popinalis

(Fr.) Singer syn. Clitocybe popinalis (Fr.) Bres. Cap 2–6cm across, flat to centrally depressed; light to dark, dirty grey-brown or brown; often cracking. Stem 15–25×5– 10mm; paler than the cap. Flesh pallid; taste mealy then bitter, smell strongly mealy. Gills grey. Spores 6.5–7×6μ, subglobose; finely warted. Spore print pink. Habitat usually on sand dunes; late summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Rhodocybe hirneola

(Fr.) P.D. Orton Cap 1–3cm across, convex, becoming quickly depressed; grey to dirty grey-brown, frosted whitish on the crown. Stem 20–35×10–30mm, slender; grey to grey-brown; sometimes with light spots or patches; base covered in white hairs. Flesh greyish; smell variable. Gills decurrent; grey to brownish. Spores 6.5–9×5– 6.5μ; finely warty. Spore print grey-brown. Habitat on the ground in mossy woods; autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

ENTOLAMA With the common name of Pinkgill, this genus includes many species that in the past were considered in separate genera, such as Nolanea and Leptonia. It follows that the genus contains species of very different sizes, habitats, and appearance. Many have very interesting smells.

Entolomas showing range of forms

Entoloma mougeotii

(Fr.) Hesler syn. Leptonia mougeotii (Fr.) P.D. Orton Cap 2–5cm across, convex at first, then with a distinct navel-like depression; grey-lilac. Stem 40–60×3–4mm; a very pallid grey. Flesh firm; greyish-white; taste and smell distinct, aromatic. Gills free; creamy, becoming pink when spores mature. Spores 9–13×6.5–8.5μ. Spore print pink. Habitat in grassland, usually on chalky soils; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible avoid.

Wood Pinkgill Entoloma rhodopolium

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–7cm across, convex with a slight umbo, then expanded and often depressed; grey-brown to yellowish-buff, drying silky greyish. Stem 40–80×5– 10mm; white to silky greyish. Flesh thin; white; taste and smell slightly mealy. Gills sinuate; whitish at first, becoming flesh-pink. Spores 8–10.5×7–8μ, angularly subglobose. Spore print pink. Habitat in deciduous woods; summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous causes gastric upsets.

Shield Pinkgill Entoloma clypeatum

(L.) P. Kumm. syn. Rhodophyllus clypeatus (L.) Quél. Cap 3–10cm across, convex then flattened with a low, broad umbo; grey-brown, often flushed yellowish, with darker spots or radiating lines. Stem 30–50×8–15mm, white tinged with cap colour, covered in long, silky fibres. Flesh white; firm; taste and smell mealy. Gills sinuate; pale grey at first, then flesh pink. Spores 8–11×7.5–9μ, angularly subglobose. Spore print pink. Habitat with trees and bushes belonging to the Rosaceae, such as rose, hawthorn, cherry; spring to early summer. Occasional. Suspect best avoided.

Entoloma nidorosum

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 3–7cm across, convex then expanded and slightly umbonate or depressed, margin often wavy; pale grey, becoming paler with age. Stem 50–100×3– 15mm; white to whitish. Flesh white; watery; smell strongly nitrous when first collected, but soon fading. Gills whitish-pallid at first, becoming flesh-pink. Spores 7–9×6–8μ, subglobose, angular. Spore print pink. Habitat damp deciduous woods; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note Noordeloose (1992) synonymizes this species with Entoloma rhodopolium (above), but for the moment I am keeping both names because of the very different scent and colour.

Livid Pinkgill Entoloma sinuatum

(Pers.) P. Kumm. syn. E. lividum (Bull.) Quél. Cap 6–20cm across, convex then expanded; ivory to dull grey-brown. Stem 60–100×10–30mm; white. Flesh white; firm; smell mealy. Gills sinuate; pale ochraceous when young, later flesh-coloured. Spores 8–10×7–8.5μ, angularly subglobose. Spore print pink. Habitat rich soil in open deciduous woodland or field edges; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Entoloma saepium

(Noulet & Dass.) Richon & Roze Cap 3–12cm across, bell-shaped, becoming expanded-convex with a distinct umbo; pallid ivory or yellowish-buff to pale greybrown. Stem 20–50×10–24mm; white. Flesh white; firm; taste mealy, smell mealy or slightly rancid. Gills sinuate; dirty white, becoming pale pink. Spores 8.5–10×7.5–9μ, obscurely angularly subglobose. Spore print pink. Habitat with trees and bushes belonging to the Rosaceae, such as rose, hawthorn, cherry; late spring to summer. Uncommon. Not edible. Note in my first book I named this E. saundersii.

Blue Edge Pinkgill Entoloma serrulatum

(Fr.) Hesler syn. Leptonia serrulata (Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, convex then expanded and finally depressed; blue-black, becoming brownish with age, margin often slightly striate. Stem 15–20×1–2mm; blue-grey to blackish, typically with black dots at apex; base covered in white down. Flesh thin; bluish-white. Gills sinuate; blue-grey with a blackish edge. Spores 10–12×6–8μ, angular-ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Cystidia club-shaped with blue sap. Habitat in grass; summer to autumn. Occasional, more frequent in Scotland. Poisonous.

Entoloma euchroum

(Pers.) Donk syn. Leptonia euchroa (Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–4cm across, bellshaped; beautifully violaceous, sometimes with a slight brownish tint at centre; silkyfibrous. Stem 20–60×2–4mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh bluish-pallid; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills sinuate; rich violaceous, with a darker edge. Spores 9– 11×5–7.5μ, angular. Spore print pink. Habitat on branches, stumps or fallen trunks of alder, hazel, beech, or birch; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Lilac Pinkgill Entoloma porphyrophaeum

(Fr.) P. Karst. syn. Trichopilus porphyrophaeus (Fr.) P.D. Orton syn. Rhodophyllus porphyrophaeus (Fr.) J.E. Lange Cap 3–9cm across, convex to bell-shaped with a distinct umbo; dark grey-brown to date-brown, often with a faint purplish-brown tinge at margin; covered in radiating fibres. Stem 40–80×5–10mm; purplish-grey-brown; fibrous, base covered in fine, white down. Flesh thin; whitish. Gills rather distant; dirty white at first then dark flesh-pink. Spores 10–13×5–7μ, angularly oblong. Spore print pink. Cystidia thin-walled, fusiform, often with capitate apex. Habitat in pasture and grassland; late spring to late autumn. Frequent. Edible but best avoided, due to possible confusion with poisonous species.

Mousepee Pinkgill Entoloma incanum

(Fr.) Hesler syn. Leptonia incana (Fr.) Gillet Cap 1–3cm across, convex, often becoming centrally depressed, expanding to almost flat; yellow-brown to olive-brown, darker brown at the centre, striate at the margin. Stem 20–40×1–3mm; yellowishgreen, bruising blue-green; base covered in white down. Flesh thin, greenish; smell strong, of mice. Gills sinuate; greenish-white at first, becoming pale flesh-colour. Spores 11–14×8–9μ, angularly oblong. Spore print pink. Habitat in grassland and on heaths, especially on chalk; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Cream Pinkgill Entoloma sericellum

(Fr.) P. Kumm. syn. Leptonia sericella (Fr.) Barbier syn. Alboleptonia sericella (Fr.) Largent & R.G. Benedict Cap 1–2cm across, conico-convex, expanding to almost flat, sometimes depressed at the centre; pale ochre-buff, drying whitish. Stem 15–25×2– 4mm; concolorous with cap. Flesh thin; concolorous; smell mushroomy. Gills sinuate; white at first, then pale pink. Spore print pink. Spores 9–13×6–8.5μ, angularly oblong. Habitat in pasture, open woodland, and marshes; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible.

(f) Entoloma chalybaeum var. lazulinum

(Fr.) Noordel. syn. E. lazulinum (Fr.) Noordel. syn. Leptonia lazulina (Fr.) Quél. syn. Rhodophyllus lazulinus (Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–2cm across, convex; blackish-blue, almost black at disc; covered in darker radiating fibres, margin striate. Stem 30–40×1–2mm; dark blue to blue-black or violet-blue. Flesh dark blue; thin; smell strongly mushroomy. Gills sinuate; at first deep bright blue or blue-grey, becoming more pink with age. Spores 10–12×6.5–8μ, angularly oblong. Spore print pink. Habitat on grassland and heaths; autumn. Occasional, more common in the north and west. Poisonous. Note the caps of this collection are more conical than those typically found.

Entoloma aprile

(Britzelm.) Sacc. Cap 3–6cm across, convex with a distinct umbo; dark brown when moist, drying paler grey-brown. Stem 30–70×5–10mm; whitish to pale grey-brown; becoming hollow, lined. Flesh whitish-grey, firm; taste and smell mealy. Gills sinuate; whitish-grey, finally tinged pink. Spores 9–12×7.5–10μ, angularly subglobose. Spore print salmon-pink. Habitat amongst bushes and deciduous trees; spring. Rare. Suspect best avoided.

Pimple Pinkgill Entoloma hebes

(Romagn.) Trimbach Cap 2–5cm across, bell-shaped with prominent umbo; dark sepia to dirty grey-brown, drying pale ochre-tan, the umbo darker brown. Stem 70– 150×2–5mm with a slightly thickened base; concolorous with cap or paler; covered in fine white down at the base. Flesh thin; greyish-brown; smell distinctly of cucumber. Gills whitish then pale pinkish-brown. Spores 11–14×7–8μ, angular. Spore print pink. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, hair-like, with obtuse apices. Habitat amongst grass or in mixed woodland; autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note in my first book I named this Nolanea hirtipes.

Honey Pinkgill Entoloma cetratum

(Fr.) M.M. Moser syn. Nolanea cetrata (Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, bellshaped; ochre-brown to tan; striate. Stem 25–60×2–4mm; pale tan-buff; covered in long, whitish, silky fibres. Flesh dark brown in cap, paler in stem; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills almost free; flesh-coloured to light tan. Spores 9–12×6.5–8μ, angular. Spore print pink. Basidia 2-spored. Habitat with conifers, sometimes in sphagnum; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

PLUTEUS The common name for this genus is Shield. Nearly all grow on wood or wood debris. The gills are free, and you will be able to see the gills turning pink in mature specimens, due to the pink spore deposit.

Pluteus

Entoloma conferendum

(Britzelm.) Noordel. syn. Nolanea staurospora Bres. syn. Rhodophyllus staurosporus (Bres.) J.E. Lange Cap 1–3cm across, convex with an indistinct umbo; dark brown, reddish-brown, or greyish, hygrophanous, drying pallid; striate when moist. Stem 20– 60×1–3mm; paler than the cap; covered in long, silky, whitish fibrils. Flesh concolorous; smell mealy. Gills almost free; whitish at first then pink. Spores 9– 10×7–9μ, quadrangular to stellate. Spore print pink. Habitat in grassland and open woodland; autumn. Very common. Not edible.

Entoloma ortonii

Arnolds & Noordel. syn. E. farinolens (P.D. Orton) M.M. Moser syn. Nolanea farinolens P.D. Orton Cap 1.5–3cm across, varying in shape from convex or flattened-convex to slightly depressed, even umbonate; sepia to brownish-black, darkening towards the centre, drying pale buff or pallid; finely striate when moist. Cuticle tough and cartilaginous. Stem 20–70×2–3mm; concolorous with cap or paler. Flesh concolorous; taste strongly of meal, smell mealy when crushed. Gills almost free; whitish-grey at first, then becoming brownish-pink. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–7μ, subglobose to broadly elliptical, with rather rounded angles. Spore print pink. Habitat in grass or soil in damp, shady woodland; summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Entoloma lucidum

(P.D. Orton) M.M. Moser syn. Nolanea lucida P.D. Orton Cap 1–5cm across, conicoconvex then flattened or bell-shaped with a broad umbo; sepia, darkening towards the centre, drying pallid or light sepia with conspicuous sheen; striate at margin when moist, cuticle thin and fragile. Stem 20–60×2–5mm, more or less cartilaginous; pale greyish, often flushed with sepia; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh concolorous; taste strongly of meal, smell mealy when crushed. Gills almost free; whitish at first, becoming pink or brownish-pink. Spores 7.5–10×5.5–7μ, broadly ellipsoid to almost subglobose, with well-marked angles. Spore print pink. Habitat amongst grass or moss in deciduous woods; summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Wrinkled Shield Pluteus phlebophorous

(Ditmar) P. Kumm. Cap 2–4cm across, convex; sooty brown at first, becoming yellowish-brown veined. Stem 30–60×2–4mm; very pallid flesh-coloured. Flesh pale cream; taste and smell slight. Gills free; pink. Spores 5–7×4.5–6μ. Spore print pink. Habitat on stumps or litter in broad-leaved woods; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible avoid.

Pluteus podospileus

Sacc. & Cub. Cap 1.5–4cm across, convex then expanded and sometimes umbonate; umber to blackish-brown; covered in minute, velvety scales. Stem 10–40×2–3mm, sometimes slightly bulbous; whitish, then dingy brown due to covering of minute, brownish, punctate scales. Flesh whitish in cap, greyish to pale brown in stem; smell slight. Gills free; white at first then pinkish. Spores 4–7×3.5–5μ, broadly ovoid to subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia broadly vesiculose, clavate or cylindrical, thin-walled, hyaline. Cap cuticle mixed, of sphaeropedunculate cells with projecting fusiform elements. Habitat on rotting deciduous wood; summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Deer Shield Pluteus cervinus

P. Kumm. Cap 4–12cm across, bell-shaped then convex to flattened; sepia to dark umber, with radiating streaks. Stem 70–100×5–15mm, slightly swollen at the base; white, becoming streaked with umber fibres. Flesh white; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; white, later dull pink. Spores 7–8×5–6μ, broadly ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Cystidia fusoid, with thickened walls and crowned with several apical prongs. Habitat on rotting stumps, trunks, and sawdust of deciduous trees; early summer to late autumn, but also sporadically throughout the year. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Goldleaf Shield Pluteus romellii

(Britzelm.) Sacc. syn. P. lutescens (Fr.) Bres. syn. P. nanus var. lutescens (Fr.) P. Karst Cap 1.5–5cm across, flattened convex or slightly umbonate; dark cinnamonbrown, margin paler to yellow and scarcely striate; cap surface often wrinkled towards the centre. Stem 15–70×2–6mm; bright lemon-yellow, becoming chrome-yellow at base. Flesh yellow; thin. Gills free; chrome-yellow at first, then yellowish-pink. Spores 6.5×5.5μ, subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia thin-walled, broadly vesiculose, clavate, or cylindrical; hyaline. Cap cuticle of spherical cells with projecting fusiform elements. Habitat on the ground amongst wood chips or other rotting deciduous wood, especially beech; late spring to autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Veined Shield Pluteus thomsonii

(Berk. & Broome) Dennis Cap 1–3cm across, convex at first then flat; grey-brown, with prominent raised veins that are lighter in colour. Stem 20–40×2–4mm; a very pallid grey. Flesh firm; greyish-white; taste and smell slight. Gills free; creamy, pink when spores mature. Spores 6.5–8.5×5–6.5μ. Spore print pink. Habitat on or near stumps of broad-leaved trees; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible avoid.

Satin Shield Pluteus plautus

(Weinm.) Gillet syn. P. depauperatus Romagn. Cap 2.5–3.5cm across, convex to flattened, with sulcate-striate margin; hygrophanous, pale pinkish-fawn, disrupting into tiny ochre-buff scales near the centre, drying whitish. Stem 25–35×3–4mm, with bulbous base; white, becoming yellow-tinged near the base. Flesh thin; whitish to yellowish or buff; taste and smell faint, not distinctive. Gills free; pale pink-buff. Spores 7–8×5.5–6.5μ, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose. Spore print pink. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia thin-walled, fusiform or lanceolate; hyaline. Surface of cap formed of thin-walled elements, 57–170×15–35μ, cylindrical or clavate, with bluntly rounded tips. Habitat on the rotting wood or sawdust of beech; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Pluteus semibulbosus

(Lasch) Gillet Cap 2–5cm across, bell-shaped to obtusely convex; white, tinged pale flesh-colour when moist; radiately wrinkled and as if powdered with mica flakes. Stem 20–30×3–7mm, bulbous; white. Flesh white. Gills free; white at first, becoming pink. Spores 6–7×5–5.5μ, broadly ovoid to subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia thin-walled, bottle-shaped; hyaline. Cap cuticle of spherical cells with projecting fusiform elements. Habitat on rotting sawdust or wood of deciduous trees; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Pluteus petasatus

(Fr.) Guillet. Cap 5–14cm across, convex; white or light greyish-beige, with broken scales in the centre. Stem 100–200×10–20mm; white, sometimes marking a little brownish from the base. Flesh white; firm; taste and smell slight, of elder flowers. Gills free, crowded; white for a long time, then pink. Spores 6–10×4–6μ. Spore print pink. Habitat on rotting wood, stumps, and sawdust; summer to autumn. Rare. Edible but poor.

Velvet Shield Pluteus umbrosus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–9cm across, convex; sepia; covered in minute, velvety, datebrown scales, more densely on the irregular ridges and near the centre. Stem 30– 90×4–12mm; white, covered in minute, brown, velvety scales. Flesh white. Gills free; whitish then pink, with a conspicuous dark brown edge. Spores 6–7×4–5μ, subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia bottle-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Cap cuticle filamentous; the scales formed of slightly fusiform or elongated clavate elements. Habitat on rotting deciduous wood; autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Pluteus atromarginatus

(Singer) Kühner Cap 3–10cm across, convex to flattened; blackish-brown with darker streaks and fibrils; smooth to slightly squamulose at the centre. Stem 50–100×5– 10mm; white, with dark brown fibres on surface. Flesh white; taste and smell pleasant. Gills broad, crowded; pallid, becoming pink-salmon with dark brown edges. Spores 6.5–8×4.5–5μ, ellipsoid, smooth. Spore print brownish-pink. Pleurocystidia present, with horns at the apices. Habitat on fallen conifer logs; summer to winter. Rare. Said to be edible.

Yellow Shield Pluteus chrysophaeus

(Schaeff.) Quél. syn. P. luteovirens Rea Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped then flattened or umbonate; mustard-yellow to olivaceous-ochre. Stem 20–60×2–5mm; white then cream. Flesh yellowish in cap and stem base, elsewhere white; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; white then pink, without yellow tints. Spores 5–6×5μ, subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia thin-walled, bottle-shaped; hyaline. Cap cuticle of spherical cells with projecting fusiform elements and yellowish contents. Habitat on dead or dying elm; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Willow Shield Pluteus salicinus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, convex then flattened and slightly umbonate; bluish- or greenish-grey, darker at the centre; faintly striate when moist. Stem 30– 50×2–6mm; white, sometimes becoming tinged with cap colour at the base. Flesh white with greyish tinge. Gills free; white then pink. Spores 8–9×6–7μ, ellipsoid. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia fusiform with slightly thickened walls and an apical crown of hooked processes. Habitat on deciduous wood; spring to autumn. Common. Edible.

Lion Shield Pluteus leoninus

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Cap 4–6cm across, convex to flattened and slightly umbonate; deep yellow to bright golden, striate at the margin; minutely velvety. Stem 50–75×3– 10mm; whitish, becoming flushed yellow from the base up. Flesh whitish, turning brownish in stem base; thin. Gills free; pale pink, often edged with yellow. Spores 6.5–7.5×5–6μ, subglobose. Spore print pink. Pleurocystidia fusiform. Cap cuticle filamentous. Habitat on wood of deciduous trees; autumn. Uncommon, rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Girdled Webcap Cortinarius (Myxacium) trivialis

J.E. Lange Cap 3.5–11cm across, conico-convex then expanded and slightly umbonate; ochraceous-tawny to bay-brown; very viscid. Stem 50–120×10–20mm; whitish at apex, concolorous with cap below and covered in whitish scales; viscid. Flesh pale yellowish, brownish below the cap cuticle and in the lower part of the stem; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; pale clay then ochre to rust. Spores 10–13×6–7μ, almond-shaped, roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp deciduous woods, usually with alder or willow; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Purple Stocking Webcap Cortinarius (Myxacium) stillatitius

Fr. syn. C. pseudosalor J.E. Lange Cap 3–8cm across, conico-convex then expanded and often umbonate; ochraceous-buff to ochre-brown, tinged tawny at centre; margin smooth or slightly grooved, very viscid when moist drying shiny. Stem 80–100×10– 20mm; white, covered in violaceous, slimy veil below cortinal zone. Flesh whitish to pallid, tinged yellowish, especially below cap cuticle; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; clay then ochraceous-rust. Spores 12–14×7–9μ, lemon-shaped. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, balloon-shaped; hyaline. Habitat deciduous woods, especially beech, and also with conifers; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility. Note one of the most commonly found Myxacium, for a long time this has been muddled by various mycologists; latterly it was known as C. pseudosalor sensu Moser.

CORTINARIUS One of the distinguishing characteristics of this genus is the cobweblike attachment between the cap and the stem (the cortina), giving them the common name Webcap. There is also a veil, which covers the whole mushroom when it is minute, remnants of which can often be seen at the base of the stem and on the cap edge. It is essential to have immature specimens in any collection, as the distinctive violet, cream, or olivaceous colours of the young gills are important to help distinguish the species; the gills quickly turn rust-red as the spores start to mature. Cortinarius is the largest genus of the larger fungi in Britain, and indeed all over the world, and has been divided into seven subgenera.

Cortinarius

CORTINARIUS subgenus MYXACIUM Both cap and stem are sticky from the glutinous universal veil. This is easy to observe in buttons or in wet weather; in dry weather the gluten may dry out, but leaves and earth stuck to the cap and stem will point to them having been sticky. The cap cuticle often tastes bitter.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) collinitus

(Sowerby) Gray Cap 2–10cm across, convex at first, becoming expanded with a low, broad umbo, margin incurved at first and sometimes slightly grooved; yellow-brown to tawny or dark rust, often darker at the centre; glutinous, drying shiny. Stem 50– 120×7–20mm; apex white to bluish, concolorous with cap below cortinal zone and covered in bluish bands of velar remains. Flesh whitish to yellowish, sometimes tinged bluish in stem apex; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; pale violaceous or clay at first, later rusty. Spores 12–20×7–9μ, ellipsoid to almond- or lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous woods, more rarely in deciduous woods; late summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) croceocaeruleus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, convex then expanded and often slightly depressed; bright violaceous, becoming pale ochraceous from centre; sticky. Stem 40–60×5– 12mm, spindle-shaped, tapering into a pointed base; white to yellowish. Flesh white to yellowish, often tinged violaceous below the cap cuticle; taste bitter, smell strong, unpleasant. Gills adnate to free; whitish, usually with bluish tint at first, becoming ochraceous-clay and finally cinnamon. Spores 7.5–8.5×4.5–5.5μ, elliptical to almondshaped, almost smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat usually with beech; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Orange Webcap Cortinarius (Myxacium) mucosus

(Bull.) Cooke Cap 4–10cm across, convex, margin incurved at first; tawny to chestnut, margin often striate; very glutinous. Stem 50–150×15–25mm; silky white, not disrupting into scales. Flesh whitish, tinged tawny beneath cap cuticle; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; whitish then pale ochraceous, darkening to cinnamon. Spores 14.5–17.5×6.5–7.5μ, elongate lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat conifer heaths, usually with pine; late summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Slimy Webcap Cortinarius (Myxacium) mucifluus

Fr. Cap 3.5–10cm across, convex then expanded with a broad umbo; ochre-buff to ochraceous-tawny, becoming paler towards the margin; glutinous when moist. Stem 15–150×8–16mm; whitish, often tinged yellowish-buff, especially at the apex; silky white above the cortinal zone, covered in tiny, white, cottony scales from the veil below. Flesh whitish, tinged yellowish-buff in stem, especially at base; taste mild, smell none or honey-like. Gills adnate to free; whitish to pale clay, finally ochre-buff. Spores 13.5–16×7–8.5μ, lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat with Scots pine; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note in my first book this was named Cortinarius (Myxacium) pinicola Orton, but C. mucifluus is a much earlier name.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) vibratilis

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, hemispherical then convex to domed; orange, slightly hygrophanous, lighter when dry, darker when wet; glutinous. Stem 40–70×4–10mm, often swollen at the base, but sometimes tapering and appearing root-like; white, discolouring orangey in places, sometimes showing a ring zone; glutinous. Flesh whitish or a touch ochre; taste very bitter, smell slight. Gills adnate; pallid reddishochre, then more cinnamon. Spores 6–8.4×4–5μ, elliptical, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous or deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note the small size and very bitter taste help to identify this species.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) arvinaceus

Fr. Cap 4–8cm across, hemispherical, margin inrolled for a long time, sometimes with an umbo; yellow-ochre, more reddish-ochre with age; glutinous. Stem 50–120×7– 15mm, usually thicker at the apex; fibrous and flaky beneath the glutinous coating. Flesh white; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; pallid yellowish, then rusty. Spores 10–14×6.5–8μ, long elliptical, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) ochroleucus

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, convex then expanded and obtusely umbonate; whitish-pallid with more ochraceous disc; silky sheen rubs off, showing darker cap colour below. Stem 25–90×5–12mm, tapering at base; white and silky; firm. Flesh white to pallid; taste bitter, smell none. Gills adnate to free; whitish then pallidochraceous, finally rusty cinnamon. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, elliptical, almost smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with oak; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

CORTINARIUS subgenus PHLEGMACIUM In these only the cap is sticky, the stem is dry. Note the character of the stem base; many have large, bulbous bases, some with a marginate bulb (that is, a bulb with a definite edge), others have no bulb.

Yellow Webcap Cortinarius (Myxacium) delibutus

Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, convex then expanded, sometimes slightly umbonate; yellow with brighter centre or even tinged tawny-buff; very viscid. Stem 50–100×7–15mm, slightly swollen at base; white, tinged yellow by the viscid veil from base up to cortinal zone, apex pale lilac; base covered in white down. Flesh whitish in stem, yellowish in cap, tinged violaceous throughout in young specimens and often persisting at stem apex; taste mild, often with a bitter aftertaste, smell faintly of radish. Gills adnate to free; violaceous at first, soon yellowish to clay or cinnamon. Spores 7–8.5×6.5–7.5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose, roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, usually with beech or birch; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility. Note this rather slender collection might possibly be C. subdelibutus of Orton.

Cortinarius (Myxacium) causticus

Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, broadly umbonate; pale ochraceous, flushed tawny at centre; drying paler and shiny, viscid when moist. Stem 30–80×4–12mm, base often pointed; whitish, often flushed ochraceous; slightly viscid below. Flesh lemon-yellow to ochraceous, often white in cap; taste mild, but cap cuticle bitter, smell strong. Gills adnate to free; pale ochraceous at first, becoming more buff to rusty cinnamon. Spores 6.5–8×4–5μ, elliptical, almost smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods, especially with oak and beech; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) glaucopus

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex; ochraceous-tawny, covered in conspicuous darker, innate fibrils, margin sometimes weakly greenish at first. Stem 50–10×10–25mm, up to 35mm wide at rounded, marginate bulb; bluish-lilac at first, persisting at apex, becoming yellowish-white below. Flesh yellowish-white, tinged bluish in upper stem; taste mild, smell none or faintly mealy. Gills adnate to free; bluish-lilac, becoming clay-cinnamon. Spores 6.5–8.5×4.5–5μ, elliptical to almondshaped, finely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous and mixed woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid. Note this collection is rather light in colour; normally it will be darker red-brown, with darker purple gills.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) elegantissimus

Rob. Henry syn. C. aurantioturbinatus J.E. Lange Cap 4.5–12cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved; sulphur-yellow, soon discolouring rusty, especially towards the centre, remaining sulphur-yellow at the margin; cuticle reddish-brown to purplish-black with NaOH. Stem 60–120×10–18mm, 20–40mm wide at more or less marginate bulb; yellow, becoming tinged buff. Flesh white, sulphur-yellow in bulb; taste mild, smell sickly sweet. No reaction with NaOH. Gills adnate to free; yellow then olivaceous, finally pale rust. Spores 11.5–15×7–8.5μ, lemon-shaped, very rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) olearioides

Rob. Henry. syn. C. subfulgens P.D. Orton Cap 6–12cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved; golden-yellow to orange-tawny, brighter yellow at margin; cuticle blood-red with KOH. Stem 40–80×14–30mm, 30–50mm wide at marginate bulb; yellowish-buff with paler apex, base tinged tawny; cortina yellowish. Flesh pale yellowish, darker at stem base where it turns blood-red with KOH; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; yellow then rusty-ochre. Spores 10–11.5×5.5– 6μ, lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat deciduous woods; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) saporatus

Britzelm. syn. C. subturbinatus Rob. Henry ex P.D. Orton Cap 6–16cm across, convex to flattened-convex, margin remaining incurved for a long time; tawny-buff, often darker when old, paler at margin initially; cuticle gradually dark brown with NaOH. Stem 35–100×7–20mm, 18–45mm wide at marginate bulb; white, discolouring yellowish, especially from base. Flesh white, no reaction with NaOH; thick, very firm; taste mild, smell fruity at first, soon becoming more sour. Gills adnate to free; pale clay at first, then ochraceous, finally rusty buff. Spores 11.5– 13×6–7.5μ, lemon- to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) osmophorus

P.D. Orton Cap 4–12cm across, convex, margin inrolled; ochraceous, becoming tinged tawny with age, cuticle turns reddish-brown with NaOH. Stem 30–40×10– 15mm, 20–30mm wide at marginate bulb; white, discolouring pallid, finally rusty buff. Flesh whitish, slightly yellow with NaOH; taste mild, smell very strong and heady, described as ranging from mock-orange-blossom to metal polish, it may be detected in the field by its smell. Gills adnate to free; white then ochre-clay, finally cinnamon. Spores 9–10×5–6μ, lemon- to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) aleuriosmus

Maire syn. C. caroviolaceus P.D. Orton Cap 4–12cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved; white initially, soon pale ochre-buff, paler at the margin; viscid, often with adpressed white scales of velar remnants. Stem 50–80×10–15mm, 20– 40mm wide at marginate bulb; white then yellowish, apex rarely tinged bluish at first. Flesh white then pallid or yellowish, sometimes tinged violaceous in stem apex; taste mild, smell strong, unpleasant. Gills adnate to free; white then pale clay, finally ochre- to rusty buff. Spores 9–11×5.5–7μ, almond- to lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Splendid Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) splendens

Rob. Henry Cap 3–8cm across, convex then expanded and often wavy at margin; bright sulphur-yellow, often with tawny centre or spotting; cuticle dark red to reddishbrown with NaOH. Stem 25–60×7–12mm, 15–25mm wide at distinctly marginate bulb; sulphur-yellow, becoming tinged rust, especially towards base, arising from sulphur-yellow mycelium; cortina sulphur-yellow. Flesh bright sulphur-yellow; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; bright sulphur-yellow at first then rusty. Spores 10–13×5–6.5μ, almond-shaped and roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) rickenianus

Maire Cap 4–6cm across; ochraceous-cream, often with violaceous tinges, cuticle turns bright rose-red with NaOH. Stem 20–40×10–15mm, 20–30mm wide at marginate bulb; cream, with remnants of the violaceous veil. Flesh white to cream, violaceous in stem apex when young; taste and smell not distinctive. No reaction with NaOH. Gills adnate to free; violet at first, becoming violaceous-clay. Spores 9–11×5– 6μ, ovate, roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat amongst scrub near deciduous trees; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) amoenolens

Rob. Henry ex P.D. Orton Cap 3–13cm across, convex or obtuse, margin inrolled and often covered in remains of veil or cortina; straw-yellow to ochre, sometimes with an olivaceous or tawny flush. Stem 45–140×10–22mm, 15–45mm across at immarginate or rounded marginate bulb; violaceous at first, then fading to whitish, bulb covered in ochraceous patches of the veil; cortina whitish to violaceous. Flesh whitish in cap and bulb, intensely violaceous in stem, especially at apex; taste of flesh mild, cap cuticle bitter, smell fruity, like plums. Gills adnate to free; deep violet when young, later becoming clay, but never rusty. Spores 9–12×5.5–7μ, lemon-shaped, distinctly roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods, usually on chalk; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Bitter Bigfoot Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) sodagnitus

Rob. Henry Cap 3–10cm across, convex; bright violaceous at first, discolouring ochraceous to buff from centre outwards, fading to silvery, margin lilac with age, cuticle bright red with NaOH. Stem 25–100×5–18mm, 12–30mm wide at distinctly marginate bulb; violaceous like the cap at first, discolouring ochraceous from the base up, except for a persistent narrow, violet zone at the apex; cortina violaceous. Flesh whitish, with violaceous flush in stem apex and ochraceous tinge in bulb; taste of flesh mild, cap cuticle bitter, smell faint, mushroomy. Gills adnate to free; violet then clay-pink to umber; edge remaining violaceous a long time. Spores 10–12×5.5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods, usually on chalk; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Mealy Bigfoot Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) caerulescens

(Schaeff.) Fr. syn. C. caesiocyaneus Britzelm. Cap 5–10cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved at first; greyish-blue to blue-violaceous, discolouring ochraceous from centre or in patches, no reaction in cuticle with NaOH. Stem 30– 80×10–20mm, 20–40mm wide at marginate bulb; blue-violaceous, discolouring yellowish from stem base; cortina bluish. Flesh violet, buff to dark brown with age; taste mild, smell strong, unpleasant and musty. Gills adnate to free; blue-violaceous at first then ochraceous to clay-buff, finally rusty. Spores 8.5–10×5–6μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) dionysae

Rob. Henry Cap 4–8cm across; grey-violet or more grey-ochre; innately fibrous, viscid when wet. Stem 35–80×7–18mm, base swollen, clavate, occasionally marginate; pallid grey-violet, lighter than the cap; base shows yellowish hairs. Flesh whitish with touches of violet; taste mild, smell mealy. Gills adnexed; grey-violet to purplish when young, more rusty brown in age. Spores 9–11×5–6μ, ovate to lemonshaped, rough. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat in deciduous or conifer woods; autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) terpsichores

Melot Cap 4–7cm across, convex then flat; strong blue colours (Kodak film tends to make the violet colour much too purple); glutinous. Stem 40–80×8–12mm, with a distinct marginate bulb; white to dirty white with age. Flesh white with violet tints in the stem, sometimes yellowish with KOH; taste of cap a little salty, smell faint but distinct, unpleasant. Gills adnate; violet for a long time then more rusty. Spores 8.5– 10×5.5–6.7μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat in mixed woodland on limestone; autumn. Very rare. Not edible. Note this is near to C. caerulescens (opposite), but with much stronger blue tones.

Bruising Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) purpurascens

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–15cm across, hemispherical then expanded and often broadly umbonate, margin becoming wavy; tawny-buff to dark umber, often violet-tinged and streaked or spotted. Stem 50–120×15–25mm, 20–30mm wide at marginate or immarginate bulb; violaceous, sometimes discolouring pallid near the base; cortina purplish. Flesh violaceous, becoming deep purple when bruised or cut; taste mild, smell none or very faint but pleasant. Gills adnate to free; purplish-violet, then claybuff to cinnamon, violaceous tinge often persisting, becoming deep purple when bruised. Spores 8.5–10×4.5–6μ, almond-shaped to elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) rufo-olivaceus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 6–10cm across, convex to broadly umbonate, margin incurved at first; reddish-copper, margin violet at first and paler; shiny when dry. Stem 50–90×12– 20mm; 20–40mm wide at marginate bulb; whitish to violaceous or more rarely greenish-yellow, later tinged with cap colour from base up. Flesh whitish, tinged violaceous beneath cap cuticle, slightly reddish-purple in stem base; taste bitter, smell slight. Gills adnate to free; greenish to lemon-yellow, then olivaceous-rusty, finally dark rust; in one variety, very young gills can be violet. Spores 11–13×6.5–7.5μ, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with beech on chalk; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) xanthophyllus

(Cooke) Rob. Henry Cap 2–6cm across, convex then expanded and broadly umbonate, margin incurved; ochraceous- to lemon-yellow, sometimes streaked or spotted olive-brown. Stem 25–70×4–8mm, base pointed; whitish, discolouring ochraceous from base up, apex more or less lilac; cortina short-lived and inconspicuous. Flesh whitish to ochraceous-buff, often tinged lilaceous in stem apex; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnate to free; lilac at first, becoming clay-brown and finally cinnamon. Spores 7.5–9×6–7μ, subglobose, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid. Note in my last book I named this C. xanthocephalus.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) percomis

Fr. Cap 4–8cm across, margin inrolled when young; strong bright yellow to greenishyellow; viscid when wet. Stem 40–80×10–18mm, base swollen or with slight marginate bulb; yellow, veil yellow. Flesh pale yellow; smell distinctive, strong, sweet. Gills adnate; yellow at first, becoming more rusty with age. Spores 9– 10.5×3.5–5.5μ, lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods, usually on calcareous soils; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) citrinus

J.E. Lange ex P.D. Orton syn. C. pseudosulphureus Rob. Henry ex Orton Cap 4–7cm across, hemispherical then convex to flat; a mixture of lemon-yellow and yellowbrown tones; glutinous. Stem 40–70×8–12mm, with distinct marginate bulb; greenish to lemon yellow. Flesh lemon-yellow, no reaction with KOH; taste mild, smell distinct, odd, faintly unpleasant. Gills adnate; for a long time greenish-yellow, then more rusty. Spores 8.5–9.8×5–5.5μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods on limestone; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) balteatocumatilis

Rob. Henry ex P.D. Orton Cap 5–15cm across, convex, margin remaining incurved for a long time; pinkish-brown, often tinged tawny and with violaceous margin. Stem 50–70×18–30mm, swollen at base; whitish, becoming tinged violaceous or rust, with fugacious patches of violaceous veil near base. Flesh whitish, with violaceous tinges below cuticle, no reaction with NaOH, yellowish-tan with ammonia; hard; taste mild, smell strong and rank. Gills adnate to free; pale clay, sometimes with a violaceous tint, becoming clay or ochraceous. Spores 9.5–13×6–6.5μ, elliptical to almondshaped, minutely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) largus

Fr. syn. C. cyanopus sensu Cooke Cap 3–12cm across; lilac to violaceous, becoming buff to ochre- or reddish-brown from the centre. Stem 50–100×10–20mm, slightly swollen to bulbous; violaceous then whitish to pallid; cortinal zone near apex, base covered in white down. Flesh lilac to violaceous, becoming white in stem and centre of cap when cut; taste mild, sweetish, smell none or slightly fruity when fresh. Gills adnate; lilac at first then clay-buff, finally rusty clay. Spores 11–13×5.5–6.5μ, almond- to lemon-shaped, finely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, usually with beech and oak; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Bitter Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) infractus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex then umbonate or depressed, often wavy at the margin; chestnut to olive-brown, often paler at the centre. Stem 30–80×6–25mm, more or less swollen below; whitish, tinged olive-brown at base, apex sometimes violaceous; cortina abundant, pale grey. Flesh whitish to ochre-buff, often tinged violaceous, especially in stem apex, immediately black with AgNO3; taste bitter, smell none or faintly of radish. Gills almost free; olive-brown at first, finally umber. Spores 7–10×5–7μ, subglobose, roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid.

Goliath Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) praestans

(Cordier) Gillet Cap 8–20cm across, convex to semi-spherical, margin inrolled; chestnut-brown or foxy coloured, sometimes with more violaceous tints, margin with white patches; sticky to slimy, margin often wrinkled. Stem 20–50×8–15mm, base swollen to bulbous; white with violaceous tints. Flesh white to pallid; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; whitish or pallid grey-violaceous, finally clay-brown. Spores 12–16×8–9μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Said to be edible but I would avoid it, many Cortinarius contain toxins.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) olidus

J.E. Lange Cap 5–10cm across, convex then flattened to broadly umbonate; dull ochre, often tinged tawny at the centre, cuticle turns brownish with NaOH; centre often breaks up into small, flattened scales. Stem 50–80×10–15mm, 15–25mm wide at swollen to bulbous base; whitish above, yellowish below and covered in scattered ochraceous scales; cortina whitish-yellow. Flesh white; taste mild, smell strong and unpleasant. Gills adnate; whitish to pale buff, then tinged ochraceous. Spores 9.5– 12×5–6.5μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, less frequently in coniferous woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid. Note Kibby 2001 observes that Cortinarius cliduchus may well be the same fungus.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) venustus

P. Karst. syn. C. calochrous P. Karst. Cap 4–7cm across, convex; chrome-yellow fading to creamy yellow, reddish-pink with KOH ; glutinous. Stem 30–60×7–20mm, with an abrupt, marginate bulb; whitish, with violet shades at the apex and yellow veil on the bulb. Flesh whitish, with a touch of violet near the stem apex; taste and smell slight. Gills adnexed; pale pinky-violet, remaining so for a long time. Spores 9– 11×5.5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in broadleaved or mixed woods, usually on calcareous soils, late summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) elegantior

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 5–13cm across, hemispherical, expanding to flat; orange-yellow or reddish-orange, eventually fading to dull yellowish-brown, no reaction with KOH; glutinous. Stem 50–120×10–20mm with a marginate bulb; off-white with yellowish tints; fibrous. Flesh yellowish; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; yellowish when young, becoming tawny ochre. Spores 13.5–16×8–9.5μ, lemon-shaped, very rough and warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous woodlands, usually in mountains; late summer. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) porphyropus

(Alb. & Schwein.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, convex, becoming flat; pallid ochre to buffy brown; sticky at first. Stem 40–90×5–12mm, base swollen to bulbous; violet at the apex, whitish elsewhere, bruising purple. Flesh pallid but bruising purplish; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnexed; purple, bruising deeper purple. Spores 9.3– 10.9×5.3–6.3μ, ellipsoid, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, especially beech and birch; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible. Note the way all parts bruise dark purple is distinctive.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) allutus

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex to bell-shaped; bright ochraceous to tawny-buff; covered in white, silky fibres when young. Stem 50–80×10–15mm, swollen into a more or less marginate bulb; whitish, becoming tinged ochraceous to tawny; base covered in white down; cortina white. Flesh whitish, tinged yellowish, especially at stem base; taste mild, smell like honey. Gills almost free; whitish then clay, becoming rusty cinnamon. Spores 8–9×4.5–6μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, almost smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid. Note in my first book I named this C. melliolens.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) variicolor

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 5–13cm across, convex; a mixture of violet and pale rusty red; sticky at first, may become dry later. Stem 15–20×10–18mm, base swollen to clavate with violaceous fibrils. Flesh whitish with hints of violet; taste mild, smell sweetish, pleasant or earthy. Gills adnate; violet to pallid clay at first, then more rusty. Spores 8.5–11.6×5–6.5μ, rather variable in size, almond- to lemon-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with conifers on acid soil; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) rapaceus

Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, hemispherical then convex; ivory to creamy ochre; sticky. Stem 40–70×9–12mm, usually with a marginate bulb; white, with white veil and cortina. Flesh white; taste slight, smell slight, pleasant. Gills adnexed; pale clay with just a hint of violet at first, then more rusty. Spores 8.4–9×4.8–5.6μ, lemon-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) balteatus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–12cm across, convex, margin involute at first; hazel- to foxy brown, violet at the margin when young (this is not shown in these specimens); sticky at first, becoming dry. Stem 40–70×20–40mm, base often swollen, with ochre veil remnants. Flesh white; taste mild, smell mild, musty. Gills adnate; whitish-cream then buff. Spores 10–11×5.5–7μ, almond-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in spruce or mixed woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) multiformis

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex at first, expanding to flat; ochraceous-buff to ferruginous-orange; viscid, white hoary layer when young. Stem 40–90×10–20mm, at first with a marginate bulb, which usually becomes just a swollen clavate bulb as the stem expands; white then ochre. Flesh pallid, with touches of ochre; taste mild, smell slight, sweetish. Gills adnate; pallid cream at first, then buff, at length rusty. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, ovoid, lightly roughened. Spore print red-brown. Habitat in coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Contrary Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) varius

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 5–10cm across, hemispherical then convex; yellow-brown; glutinous. Stem 40–100×10–18mm, base swollen to clavate; white, darkening a little with age; the veil may form a slight ring zone. Flesh white; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; pale lilac to pallid clay at first, then more rusty. Spores 9.5–11×5.5– 6.5μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat with conifers in mountains; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) vulpinus

(Velen.) Rob. Henry syn. C. rufoalbus Kühner Cap 8–12cm across, convex; russet, bruising reddish-brown, margin slightly whitish; slightly sticky at first, later becoming dry. Stem 70–100×10–18mm, white with conspicuous ring-like zones. Flesh whitish with hints of violet; taste mild, smell earthy becoming cheesy. Gills adnate; violet to pallid clay at first, then more rusty. Spores 12.5–14.5×6.5–7μ, rather variable in size, almond- to lemon-shaped. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat under beech on chalk; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) subtortus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 4–7cm across, convex then flat; yellow-brown; slightly glutinous. Stem 40–80×8–11mm, with a clavate bulb; ochraceous. Flesh white with ochre tones; taste bitter, smell distinct, of incense or cedar-wood pencils. Gills adnate; for a long time greenish-grey, then red-brown. Spores 7.5–10.5×7–8.5m, rounded. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat on moors or in acid coniferous or mixed woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Green Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) scaurus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, convex; browny olive-green with brown spots near the margin; greasy rather than glutinous. Stem 50–130×8–12mm, the base bulbous, sometimes only slightly; whitish or flushed greenish or violaceous; fibrous. Flesh pallid with possible hints of violet; taste slight, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; yellowish to olive-greenish. Spores 9.5–11.5×6–6.5μ, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous woods, usually with sphagnum moss, often at high altitudes; late summer to autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Birch Webcap Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) triumphans

Fr. syn. C. crocolitus Quél. Cap 5–12cm across, convex; yellow-tinged at centre, margin remaining pale yellow. Stem 70–170×10–25mm, base slightly swollen or pointed; whitish above, yellow below and covered in bands of ochraceous, tawny scales, which are remnants of the veil; cortina white. Flesh cream, often with yellowish tints; taste mild, smell none or faint. Gills adnate; cream to pallid at first, often tinged lilaceous, later clay-cinnamon to rusty buff. Spores 10–12.5×5.5–7μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust. Habitat damp deciduous woods, usually with birch; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) fraudulosus

Britzelm. Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex then expanded, slightly umbonate; pink-buff to tan-buff, becoming darker at the centre; margin initially silky white from the veil, slightly greasy, not viscid. Stem 25–80×10–15mm, swollen to 25mm at the base; pure white, discolouring pallid; base cottony. Flesh white, tinged pallid in stem; taste mild, smell faint but pleasant. Gills adnate; white at first, then ochre-clay. Spores 11– 15.5×6.5–8μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. No reaction with NaOH. Habitat in beech woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Suspect avoid. Note this fungus fits very well the descriptions of C. fraudulosus, with its very large spores, but C. fraudulosus has been described as a European species from mountain spruce woods, not beech. Brandrud, Lindstrom, Marlund, Melot, and Muskos in their major work on Cortinarius mention that they think Cortinarius argutus is a complex group with different subspecies, each of which is associated with different tree hosts: it may be that one day this fungus will become a subspecies of C. argutus that is specific to beech, while their subspecies fraudulosus is associated with spruce.

CORTINARIUS subgenus CORTINARIUS The subgenus Leprocybe has been dropped, and many of its species are now in subgenus Cortinarius. The caps and stems are not sticky but glutinous, and do not change colour when wet.

Cortinarius (Cortinarius) cyanites

Fr. Cap 5–12cm across, convex; mix of violaceous-purple, grey, and reddish-brown; slimy at first then dry, covered in brownish fibrils or scales. Stem 90–150×20–35mm, swollen to clavate; pallid purplish, sometimes red-spotted; fibrillose. Flesh purple, especially near surface, reddening after a few minutes when cut or bruised; taste slight or a touch bitter, smell distinctive. Gills adnate; violet for a long time. Spores 8– 11.5×5–6.5μ, lemon-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible. Note cut in half and rub the knife over cut surface to bruise it: in two or three minutes it will turn blood-red in patches. This should possibly be placed in the subgenus Phlegmacium.

Violet Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) violaceus

(L.) Gray Cap 3.5–15cm across, convex, margin incurved; dark violaceous to blueblack; covered in fine, downy scales. Stem 60–160×10–20mm, 20–40mm wide at swollen to bulbous base; dark blue-violaceous; covered in woolly fibrils. Flesh violaceous, more strongly so below cap cuticle and in stem; taste mild, smell slight, of cedar wood. Gills adnate; dark violet then purplish-brown. Spores 12–15×7–8.5μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially oak, birch, and beech, occasionally with conifers; autumn. Uncommon, endangered on Red Data List. Said to be edible but I advise against it, as all Cortinarius contain toxins. Note the colour is much more violet than that captured on film.

Cortinarius (Cortinarius) rubicundulus

(Rea) A. Pearson Cap 4–9cm across, convex, becoming flat; pallid whitish-ochre, soon dull orange-yellow, bruising bright chrome-yellow when touched, then reddish; greasy when wet (so at first you might confuse it with Phlegmacium); lightly fibrillose. Stem 40–80×8–14mm, base swollen, sometimes in fused clumps (caespitose); pallid whitish, bruising then turning more orange. Flesh white, discolouring chrome-yellow, especially at base; taste and smell slight, pleasant. Gills adnexed; pallid buff then rusty; bruising chrome-yellow. Spores 6.1–7.3×4.2–4.6μ, ellipsoid, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Deadly Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) rubellus

Cooke syn. C. speciosissimus Kühner & Romagn. Cap 2.5–8cm across, convex to conico-convex then expanded and umbonate; tawny to tawny-date, margin paler; covered in fine, adpressed, fibrous scales, disc soon smooth. Stem 50–110×5–15mm, 20mm wide at slightly thickened or bulbous base; concolorous with cap or paler, lower part covered in yellow patches of velar remnants; silky fibrous. Flesh pale yellowish, tinged tawny below cap cuticle and towards stem base; taste not distinctive, smell slight, faintly of radish. Gills adnate; pale ochre at first, becoming tawny to deep rust. Spores 9–12×6.5–8.5μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp coniferous woods, often in moss; autumn. Rare. Deadly poisonous. Note in 1979 three people camping in the north of Scotland consumed C. rubellus, mistaking it for the edible Chanterelle. Nearly two weeks later they were admitted to hospital with severe renal failure caused by the orellanin complex of toxins present in C. rubellus. As is common in cases of orellanin poisoning, one of the three recovered while the others suffered irreparable damage to their kidneys and had to be kept on dialysis until kidney donors were found. In recent years C. speciosissimus has been responsible for many deaths in Central Europe.

Fool’s Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) orellanus

Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, bulbous when young, then clavate; pallid purplish; fibrillose. Stem cylindrical; warmly yellow, darkening to red-bronze. Flesh purple, especially near the exterior, turning red after two or three minutes when cut or bruised; taste slight or a touch bitter, smell distinctive. Gills adnate, distant; ochre at first then tawny, finally tinged rust. Spores 9–12×5–7μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Very rare. Deadly poisonous. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Sunset Webcap Cortinarius (Cortinarius) limonius

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, convex then expanded and slightly depressed or umbonate; bright yellow-orange, darker at centre. Stem 50–120×8–20mm; yelloworange above, becoming rusty-tawny towards the base, covered in scattered patches of yellow velar remains; cortina pale yellow. Flesh yellow to golden, often tawny below cap cuticle and stem base; smell faint, like raw potato. Gills adnate; yellow, soon golden, finally rusty-tawny. Spores 7–9×5.5–7μ, broadly ovate to subglobose, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional in northern areas, elsewhere rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Poisonous. Note in my first book this fungus was named C. callisteus, but C. limonius is now considered the correct name.

CORTINARIUS subgenus SERICEOCYBE The caps are often silky, shiny, or shaggy with veil remnants, and do not change colour when wet. Stems are typically swollen or bulbous. Many have violet colours in the young gills and flesh. Some have strong smells. There was a subgenus Leprocybe, but this has now been dropped and the majority of the fungi in it have been transferred to Sericeocybe.

Cortinarius (Cortinarius) humicola

(Quél.) Maire (alternative spelling C. humicolus) Cap 1–5cm across, conico-convex then expanded and umbonate; chrome- to ochre-yellow, densely covered with small, fibrous, rusty scales. Stem 30–70×3–10mm, tapering at base; concolorous with cap; fibrillose at apex, covered in scales like the cap below. Flesh white in cap, yellowbuff in stem, becoming rusty at base; taste sweet, smell pleasant, slightly scented. Gills adnexed; whitish at first then ochraceous, finally rusty ochre. Spores 8–10.5×5– 6μ, elliptical, finely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in beech woods; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Cortinarius) gentilis

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across, distinctly umbonate; tawny-brown, becoming rust-yellow to yellow-brown; finely downy. Stem 50–100×3–8mm; concolorous with cap; covered in pale yellow patches of velar remains. Flesh yellow to yellow-brown; taste mild, smell radish-like when cut. Gills adnexed; rust-yellow, occasionally olivebrown, later rust-brown. Spores 7.5–9×5.5–6.5μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in acid pine woods; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous.

Variable Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) anomalus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2.5–7cm across, convex then expanded; dingy ochraceous flushed reddish-brown, later umber to date-brown, sometimes tinged violaceous near margin, especially when young; viscid when young. Stem 50–80×4–12mm, slightly thickened at base; tinged violaceous at apex, whitish-ochre below; covered in bands of yellowish scales from the veil. Flesh whitish, tinged violaceous at stem apex and ochraceous in stem base; smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; violaceous then tinged clay, finally ochre-rust. Spores 6.5–8.5×5.5–7μ, broadly ovate to subglobose, minutely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods, especially with birch and pine; autumn. Frequent. Suspect avoid. Note this is the key species of a very variable complex that some mycologists separate into three species: C. lepidopus (under which name I pictured it in my first book), C. azureus, with stronger violet tints, and C. azureovelatus, which is said to be taller.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) malachius

(Fr.) Fr. syn. C. malachioides P.D. Orton Cap 4–11cm across, convex then expanded; violaceous-clay then pale clay-buff to ochraceous, discolouring tawny ochre; densely covered by the whitish, silky veil at first. Stem 40–140×10–20mm, swollen to bulbous; pale violaceous at first, persisting at apex, elsewhere becoming dirty white to ochraceous, base with white or violet down; cortina white or pale violaceous. Flesh violaceous at first, stem apex remaining so, elsewhere whitish-pallid; taste and smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; violaceous at first, soon clay, then rusty. Spores 7.5– 9×4.5–5.5μ, elliptical, finely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous woods; autumn. Rare. Suspect avoid. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) diosmus

Kuhn. Cap 3–8cm across, conico-convex; silvery white when fresh. Stem 40–80×8– 12mm, base often swollen, up to 15mm wide; concolorous with the cap, silvery white with an indistinct white zone. Flesh white, lightly marbled grey-brown; smell earthy to fruity, pleasant. Gills adnexed; pale ochre-brown at first, later rust. Spores 7.8– 9.5×4.7–5.7μ, ellipsoid. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed and coniferous woods, on alkaline soil; late summer to early autumn. Very rare, not recorded for Britain. Suspect avoid.

Pearly Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) alboviolaceus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, convex to bell-shaped, then expanded and umbonate, margin often splitting with age; bluish-white to pale violaceous, discolouring pallid to ochraceous; covered in pale bluish-violet or whitish silky veil at first. Stem 80– 100×10–18mm, swollen towards the base; concolorous with cap, apex deep violaceous, discolouring pallid to ochraceous from base up; cortina white. Flesh pale violaceous, deeper in stem apex, later pallid in stem base; taste of radish, smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; violaceous at first, then tinged clay, finally rusty. Spores 8– 10×5–6μ, elliptical, minutely rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) caninus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, domed; at first buff with a hint of violet then more rust-brown; dry, smooth. Stem 60–120×8–18mm, clavate, swollen below; violet near apex at first, then white with delicate bands or touches of brown veil. Flesh pallid, with violet near stem apex; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnexed; violet at first, then pallid rusty brown. Spores 7–8.1×5.7–6.8μ, subglobose to broadly pipshaped, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous or broad-leaved woods; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Dappled Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) bolaris

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–5cm across, convex; covered in tiny, adpressed, pinkish to brick-red scales on a paler white, yellowish, or reddish ground. Stem 25–40×12–20mm; whitish at the apex, covered in tiny, fibrous, reddish scales below, bruising reddish or redbrown like cap; arising from orange-red mycelium. Flesh white in cap, ochraceous or yellowish in stem, becoming sulphur-yellow when cut, especially in stem base, finally deep red or red-brown, smell none or faint, pleasant. Gills adnexed; pale yellowishcream, later pallid cinnamon. Spores 6–7.5×4.5–5.5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose, punctate, rough. Spore print rusty cinnamon. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) melinus

Britzelm. Cap 1.5–10cm across, convex then flat; yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, not hygrophanous; dry, finely tomentose-scaly. Stem 35–65×5–10mm, slightly swollen at the base; yellowish-brown; patches of yellow universal veil. Flesh yellowish-brown to pallid; taste mild, smell of radish, especially when crushed. Gills adnate; deep yellowish, becoming more rusty. Spores 7.5–8.7×5.8–6.8μ, broadly ellipsoid to pip-shaped to subspherical, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with spruce; late summer. Rare in mainland Europe, not recorded for Britain. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) laniger

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, domed campanulate; ochraceous-cinnamon, only a touch hygrophanous; heavy and thick-fleshed, broken up with fibrils. Stem 80–100×10– 20mm, with a clavate bulb; covered in thick, white fibrils and veil remnants, often forming a dense central belt. Flesh creamy, marbled with cinnamon patches; taste mild, smell slight to a touch of pelargonium. Gills adnexed; exceptionally bright reddish-cinnamon. Spores 8.5–10.5×5.5–6.5μ, ellipsoid to pip-shaped, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous woodlands, autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Scaly Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) pholideus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex, becoming expanded, sometimes centrally depressed or wavy at the margin; ochraceous-buff to light date-brown, darker towards the centre; covered in small, fibrillose, sepia scales. Stem 50–120×8–15mm; dirty ochraceous, flushed violaceous at apex at first, conspicuously dark brown and fibrillose-scaly below the distinct ring zone and darkening towards the base; cortina pale brown. Flesh pallid to ochraceous-buff, darker towards the stem base; smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnate; pale violaceous at first, soon becoming clay-buff to pale rust-brown. Spores 6.5–8.5×5–6μ, broadly elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woodlands, usually with birch; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Red Banded Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) armillatus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–12cm across, hemispherical to bell-shaped then expanded and often upturned at margin with age; rusty brown, often darker at centre; disrupting into fibrous scales with age. Stem 60–150×10–30mm, swollen at the base; remains of veil forming 1 or 2 orange-red belts; cortina reddish-white. Flesh pallid, darker in the stem; taste bitter, smell faintly of radish. Gills adnate to free; pallid cinnamon at first, then dark rust. Spores 7–12×5–7μ, broadly elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print rust. Habitat in woods and amongst heather, usually with birch; autumn. Occasional. Said to be edible but I advise against eating it, as all Cortinarius contain toxins.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) raphanoides

(Pers.) Fr. syn. C. betuletorum M.M. Moser Cap 3–6cm across, conico-convex then bell-shaped or expanded and broadly umbonate; umber to grey-brown with an olivaceous tinge. Stem 40–80×8–12mm, base often swollen, up to 20mm wide; pale buff, with remnants of the pallid to olive-brown veil below; becoming hollow. Flesh light brownish; taste and smell sometimes slightly radishy. Gills adnate to free; pale ochre at first, later rust. Spores 7–7.5×5.5–6μ. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, usually with birch; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid. Note Professor M.M. Moser told me that he considered C. betuletorum to be only a synonym for C. raphanoides.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) pearsonii

P.D. Orton syn. C. cremeolaniger P.D. Orton, syn. C. lanigeroides P.D. Orton Cap 4– 15cm across, convex then expanded and slightly umbonate, margin becoming wavy and sometimes cracked; pale ochraceous-buff, becoming darker reddish-buff; covered in white, silky veil, which breaks up into small, flattened scales. Stem 100–150×10– 25mm, swollen towards base; pale lavender at first, then pale cream, becoming streaked reddish-brown from base up; a few shaggy ring zones formed by the remnants of the veil and cortina. Flesh pale lilac, discolouring ochre-buff with age, especially in stem base; taste and smell pleasant. Gills adnate; pale lilac at first, soon cinnamon, later rusty. Spores 6–8×3–4μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed woods on sandy soil; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid. Note this species is part of a complex with exceptionally narrow spores: C. pearsonii has violet gill tones; C. cremeolaniger has no violet tones; C. lanigeroides has occasional violet tones, and is thought to be intermediate. I made further collections from the same spot in following years and found that the violet colouring varied from collection to collection; I have therefore continued to use the first of the names published, and suggest that they are all colour variations of the same species.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) turgidus

Fr. Cap 3–6cm across, conico-convex then bell-shaped or expanded with a central boss; white to grey, shiny. Stem 40–80×10–25mm, swollen at base and rooting; concolorous with cap. Flesh white with a hint of orange; taste and smell slightly rank. Gills adnate, distant; pallid at first, later rust. Spores 8.5–10.8×5.5–6.8μ, ellipsoid. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods; late summer to early autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

CORTINARIUS subgenus TELAMONIA This large group contains the majority of the small, brown Cortinarius species. The simplest identifying characteristic is that most of them are hygrophanous, the cap and flesh darkening when wet. They are only sticky in very wet weather. Look for young gill colours, the colours of the veil, and interesting or remarkable smells.

Gassy Webcap Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) traganus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 4–12cm across, convex then expanded; pale lilaceous at first, soon becoming pale ochraceous to rusty-pallid from the centre out; finely silky scaly at first, with velar remnants adhering to margin, later silky smooth. Stem 60–120×10– 20mm, 15–30mm wide at clavate-bulbous base; lilaceous, becoming white to ochraceous then rusty from base up, covered in patches of the lilaceous veil which discolour ochraceous; cortina lilaceous. Flesh yellowish-buff in cap, marbled tawny in stem; taste slightly bitter, smell often strongly sickly sweet. Gills adnexed; pale ochrebuff at first, later tawny to rusty. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in pine woods; late summer to autumn. Rare, but not infrequent in native Scottish pine woods. Suspect avoid. Note the colour violet is not captured well on Kodak film, becoming too pink; it should be strong lavender-violet.

Cortinarius (Sericeocybe) simulatus

P.D. Orton Cap 3–6cm across, conico-convex, then expanded to flat and slightly umbonate; purple to grey-brown; fibrous. Stem 30–70×10–15mm, up to 20mm wide at swollen base; whitish with violet tones; fibrous and sometimes booted. Flesh mottled violet; taste and smell radishy. Gills adnate; purple-brown. Spores 7– 8.5×5.3–6.5μ, narrowly ellipsoid. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed woods; late summer to early autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) hinnuloides

Rob. Henry Cap 3–5cm across, conical, expanding to convex; hygrophanous, pale straw-ochre when dry, reddish-yellow and mottled when wet. Stem 30–60×5–11mm, straw-ochre. Flesh ochre, brownish with age; taste mild, smell pleasant, like orangeblossom. Gills distant; dull rusty brown. Spores 7–8.5×5–5.7μ, pip-shaped. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods; early autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Stocking Webcap Cortinarius (Telamonia) torvus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex then flattened; clay-brown, covered in darker, innate, radiating fibrils. Stem 40–60×10–15mm, slightly swollen at base; clay-buff, flushed violaceous above the membranous sheathing ring. Flesh buff, flushed violaceous in upper stem; taste slightly bitter or stinging, smell heavy and sweet. Gills adnate; lilac-clay at first, later light brown to rust. Spores 8–10×5–6.5μ, elliptical, minutely rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially beech; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) firmus

Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex then expanding and obtusely umbonate, becoming irregularly twisted; light tan-buff to deep rust. Stem 30–90×10–20mm, 15–25mm wide at base, swollen towards the base; white, discolouring ochraceous-cream. Flesh white to pale buff; taste not distinctive, smell strong, somewhat rancid. Gills adnate; ochre at first, later becoming ochre-rust. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woodland; late summer. Very rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) bulbosus

(Sowerby) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, broadly bell-shaped; hygrophanous, reddish-brown to dark chestnut, drying brick-red. Stem 30–70×10–15mm, bulbous; pale brown, becoming white-covered; base sheathed in white, cottony veil, forming a distinct ring. Flesh concolorous when moist, drying whitish; smell faintly of radish. Gills adnate; pale brownish, soon cinnamon to rust. Spores 7–8×4.5–5μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) damascenus

Fr. Cap 2–9cm across, conical, becoming flat, sometimes with a slight umbo; silky grey; smooth. Stem 30–60×8–15mm, short, pointed at the base; white. Flesh white to pale brown; taste mild, smell slightly rank. Gills adnate; pallid clay then rusty brown. Spores 6.6–8×4.5–5.5μ, subglobose to broadly ovate. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in clumps, often near tree stumps in deciduous and mixed woods; early autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) agathosmus

Brandrud, H. Lindstr. & Melot Cap 4–8cm across, convex at first, soon flat; hygrophanous, reddish-brown when wet, with a hint of violet; silky white veil remnants on the margin. Stem 60–110×8–15mm, tall; silky white from veil; scaly below white ring zone. Flesh brownish, mottled when wet with violet tones, especially towards the apex; taste mild, smell fruity. Gills adnate; buff to purple, then rusty brown. Spores 8.8–9.7×6.2–6.9μ, ellipsoid. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with conifers and birch; late summer to early autumn. Very rare, and possibly not British. Not edible. Note I collected these in France.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) pseudoprivignus

Rob. Henry Cap 2–6cm across, conical to convex then expanded and often umbonate; ochraceous-buff. Stem 30–50×8–20mm, swollen into a large, pointed bulb; more or less concolorous with cap, purplish-pink with AgNO3; very fibrous; cortina white. Flesh buff, tinged ochre in stem base; smell astringent. Gills adnate to free; pale orange, later cinnamon. Spores 8.5–10×4.5–5.5μ. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid. Note this fungus is very close to C. privignus and may be sunk after further study.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) brunneus var. glandicolor

(Fr.) H. Lindstr. & Melot syn. C. glandicolor (Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, conical at first, then flat with an umbo; hygrophanous, dark brown when wet, blackening with age. Stem 40–120×4–10mm, long and narrow, base sometimes slightly swollen; silky white from veil towards the base when young, then brown with a distinct white ring zone. Flesh brownish; taste mild, smell slightly radish-like. Gills adnate; chestnutbrown. Spores 8–10×5.8–6.7μ, broadly ovate, finely roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woodland and with conifers; early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) brunneus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, conical at first, then flat with an umbo; hygrophanous, brown, darker when wet, blackening with age. Stem 60–100×4–15mm, long and narrow, base sometimes slightly swollen; silky white from veil towards the base when young, then brown with a distinct white ring zone. Flesh brownish; taste mild, smell slightly radish-like. Gills adnate; chestnut-brown. Spores 7.7–8.6×5.8–6.6μ, broadly ovate, finely roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woodland and with conifers; early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note my photograph has young buttons lower left; the rest of the material is old, showing the blackening affect.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) saturninus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–8cm across, convex with a slight umbo; hygrophanous, chestnut- to reddish-brown when wet; smooth, with silky white veil remnants on the margin. Stem 30–80×8–12mm, often twisted, base sometimes swollen; silky white from veil, showing streaky brown from damp flesh. Flesh white to mottled brown with a hint of violet; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; rusty brown. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–6.1μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods or copses, usually growing in clumps; early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Hotfoot Webcap Cortinarius (Telamonia) bulliardii

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 4–8cm across, convex then expanded; deep red-brown to chestnut, drying ochre-buff. Stem 50–100×10–15mm; whitish near apex, becoming rust and covered in reddish fibres towards base. Flesh whitish, sometimes reddish at stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate to free; violaceous at first, soon rusty. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with beech; autumn. Rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) cinnabarinus

Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, conical then flat with a slight umbo; cinnabar-red, fading with age; matted with dry, shining, innate fibrils. Stem 20–50×3–8mm, normally equal but base sometimes swollen; dull cinnabar-red, fading; silky. Flesh pallid, with reddish tints; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; cinnabar-red then dark rusty red. Spores 8.5–10×4–6μ, ellipsoid, very rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in oak and beech woods; late summer. Uncommon. Not edible. Note my specimens are not as completely cinnabar-red as this species normally is. In the past it has been placed in subgenus Dermocybe (here).

Earthy Webcap Cortinarius (Telamonia) hinnuleus

(Sowerby) Fr. Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex to bell-shaped, then expanded and umbonate; dark ochre-brown when moist, drying paler and more ochraceous, margin pallid when young, and covered in the whitish, cobwebby veil. Stem 30–100×5– 12mm; paler than cap; covered below in white, silky velar remains, often forming a distinct white ring-like zone; cortina white. Flesh whitish, tinged with cap colour, often flushed violaceous in stem apex when young; taste mild with a slightly bitter aftertaste, smell slight, sometimes faintly of radish. Gills adnate, distant; tinged violaceous at first, ochraceous then tawny. Spore print rust. Spores 7–9×4–4.75μ, narrowly elliptical, minutely roughened. Habitat with poplar and willow; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) evernius

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, conical to bell-shaped, then expanded and obtusely umbonate; very hygrophanous, purplish umber-brown when damp, drying reddishochre, and becoming pale, tawny beige with age. Stem 70–150×10–15mm; violaceous; covered in whitish bands of velar remains. Flesh concolorous; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate to free; violaceous at first, then becoming pale clay and finally cinnamon. Spores 8.5–10×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous woods; autumn. Rare, more common in Scotland. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) suburaceus

Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, convex, becoming flat with a broad umbo; hygrophanous, dark, dull brown. Stem 40–90×4–10mm; dark brown; hollow. Flesh brown; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate, distant; dark rusty brown. Spores 10.5–14×4.5–6.4μ, subglobose to broadly ovate, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woodland; early autumn. Very rare. Not edible. Note the dark, dull colours that blacken with age, and the very long spores for this group. Moser includes this as a provisional name.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) bivelus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, hemispherical to domed; pale reddish-brown. Stem 30– 80×10–30mm, clavate; white; firm, woolly, encased in copious veil material. Flesh white to pallid with brown streaks; smell similar to Lepista (here). Gills adnate to free; rusty ochre. Spores 7–9×4–5.5μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in woods with birch and possibly pine; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility and should be avoided, as many Cortinarius contain toxins.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) subferrugineus

(Batsch) Fr. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, with silky, white veil remnants on the margin; hygrophanous, pale grey-brown with a frosty texture, more reddish at the centre. Stem 40–80×8–14mm, sometimes swollen at base; whitish-buff. Flesh white with a hint of brown, darker at the stem base; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; pallid buff, becoming rusty brown. Spores 8.7–10.1×5.5–6.6μ, elliptical. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in broad-leaved or mixed woodland; early autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) rigens

(Pers.) Fr. syn. C. duracinus Fr. syn. C. candelaris sensu auct. mult. Cap 3–10cm across, convex then expanded to domed, usually with an inrolled margin; hygrophanous, cinnamon-brown when wet, pallid cream to reddish-ochre when dry; surface smooth. Stem 40–120×6–15mm, tapering downwards, usually to a rooting point; white, smooth. Flesh white; smell similar to iodine. Gills adnate, creamy coloured at first, then reddish-buff. Spores 9–11×5–6.5μ, ovoid, lightly roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in broad-leaved or mixed woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) subbalaustinus

Rob. Henry Cap 4–8cm across, convex at first, becoming expanded, often slightly domed; hygrophanous, tan when moist, drying yellow-brown. Stem 40–70×5–10mm, slightly swollen at base; brownish, covered in white, silky fibrils, especially at the base. Flesh light yellowish-brown; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; ochre at first, later ochre-cinnamon. Spores 7.5–9×4.5–5.5μ, ovoid to pip-shaped, rough. Spore print rust. Habitat usually with birch; autumn. Rare. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) rheubarbarinus

Rob. Henry Cap 4–6cm across, conical then domed; hygrophanous, dull reddishbrown, zoned with a white margin. Stem 40–90×10–18mm, base bulbous; brown, white from veil near the base. Flesh white, mottled brown; taste mild, smell distinct, of rhubarb or parsley. Gills adnate; dull buff then dull rusty brown. Spores 8–9×5– 5.6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in deciduous woods; early autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note the distinctive smell.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) armeniacus

(Schaeff.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm across, conical to bell-shaped, becoming flattened convex to broadly umbonate; apricot, yellow-brown, or orange-cinnamon. Stem 40–80×8– 14mm, usually swollen near the base, becoming hollow; whitish, discolouring ochrerust; fibrillose. Flesh whitish to ochre-buff; taste mild, cuticle often slightly bitter, smell faintly of radish or iodoform. Gills adnate; pallid at first, then pale ochre, becoming bright ochre-cinnamon with age. Spores 7.5–9.5×5–5.5μ, elliptical to ovoid, finely warted. Spore print rust. Habitat with conifers, especially spruce; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid. Note collected in the New Forest

Cortinarius (Telamonia) obtusus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–4cm across, conical to bell-shaped, becoming expanded and umbonate, sometimes splitting at the margin; reddish-brown and striate when moist, drying ochre to light tan. Stem 40–80×4–10mm, often spindle-shaped towards the base; ochre-tan, covered in white fibres; cortina white. Flesh ochre-tan; smell strongly of radish to iodoform. Gills almost free; ochre-cinnamon then cinnamon-brown. Spores 6–8.5×4.5–5.5μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially pine; spring to autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid. Note this is a member of a complex of very similar taxa, and it needs further study.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) umbrinolens

P.D. Orton syn. C. rigidus sensu Lange Cap 1.5–4cm across, conical, becoming expanded and umbonate; dark brown when moist, especially at the centre, drying yellow-brown, with a pale edge; surface silky to matt. Stem 30–70×2–6mm; brown with a darker base; covered at first with the white, cottony veil, which forms distinct but short-lived zones. Flesh umber, drying lighter; smell strong, of rotten cloth. Gills adnate; distinct deep brown with a lighter edge. Spores 7.5–9.5×4.5–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp locations on deciduous heathland, usually with birch; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) incisus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–4cm across, conical to flat, umbonate, margin splitting in age; hygrophanous, deep, dull, blackish-brown when wet, greyish-brown when dry; covered in fine, silky fibrils. Stem 25–60×2–5mm, equal; dull greyish-brown; white veil remnants sometimes forming a belt. Flesh reddish-brown; taste and smell slight. Gills adnate; grey-brown then rusty brown. Spores 7–8.7×4.6–5.5μ, ellipsoid to pipshaped, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat ditches and roadsides, sometimes in clumps; autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) scandens

Fr. Cap 1–4cm across, conical then flat with an umbo; hygrophanous, watery yellowbrown when wet, pale ochre when dry; smooth. Stem 60–100×2–5mm, equal; creamy coloured, a little darker near the base. Flesh yellowish; taste mild, smell slight, with a touch of iodine. Gills adnexed; pallid yellowish-buff at first, later becoming more rusty. Spores 6–7.5×4.25–5μ, broadly ovate, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous woodlands or in association with alders; autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) decipiens

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–4.5cm across, sharply conical, eventually flat with an umbo; dull vinaceous-buff, darker in the centre; covered at first with a layer of fine fibrils, giving it a shiny lustre. Stem 30–70×2–5mm, equal; grey-brownish, with a slight flush of violet at the apex; matted with white fibrils, sometimes forming a slight zone. Flesh buff; smell strong when crushed, of radish. Gills adnexed; ochraceous-tawny at first then bright reddish-cinnamon. Spores 8–9×5–6.3μ, broadly ellipsoid or pip-shaped, warty. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) saniosus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–2.5cm across, bell-shaped, expanding with an acute umbo; tawnyochre to cinnamon; covered in radiating, yellowish fibrils. Stem 30–60×3–4mm; pale ochre-buff, lighter at apex, covered in ochraceous, cottony fibres; cortina yellow. Flesh concolorous, pale buff in cap; smell strong. Gills adnate; ochraceous then cinnamon. Spores 8–9×5–6μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp places, often near poplar and willow; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) bibulus

Quél. syn. C. pulchellus J.E. Lange Cap 0.5–2cm across, conical then flat with an umbo; dull violaceous, fading to wine-brown. Stem 20–50×1.5–3mm, equal or slightly swollen at the base; dull violaceous, with a light coating of greyish fibrils. Flesh violaceous; taste and smell slight. Gills adnexed; violet at first, then rusty brown. Spores 9–11×5.5–7μ, ellipsoid, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with alder; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) alnetorum

(Velen.) M.M. Moser Cap 1–3cm across, rather flat but with a large, prominent umbo; cocoa-brown when wet, drying brownish-fawn, almost black at the centre; covered in fine fibrils that give the cap a shiny appearance. Stem 25–65×2–4mm; similar colour to the cap, becoming darker with age. Flesh dark brown when wet; taste slight, smell slightly of pelargonium when crushed. Gills adnate, rather distant; dark brown. Spores 8.5–10×4.5–6μ, ovoid, slightly roughened. Spore print rustbrown. Habitat in alder bogs; autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) parvannulatus

Kühner Cap 1–3cm across, conical then umbrella-shaped with a distinct umbo; yellow-brown, more orange in the centre. Stem 20–40×3–6mm; distinct white band, sometimes with a hint of violet at the apex. Flesh red-brownish, darker towards the stem base; taste mild, smell of cedar-wood pencils. Gills adnate; pallid buff then rusty brown. Spores 7.5–9.3×4.8–5.7μ, elliptical, rough. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods, especially with poplars; early autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) hemitrichus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, conical, becoming flattened with an umbo; hygrophanous, cinnamon-brown under a dense layer of tiny white hair-scales. Stem 30–60×3–8mm, may be swollen at base; woolly white, with denser white zones. Flesh pallid when dry, brownish when wet, sometimes with a hint of violet; taste slight, smell strong, of pelargonium. Gills adnexed; pallid creamy grey at first then cinnamon. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, ellipsoid, finely roughened. Spore print rusty red. Habitat in mixed woodland, especially with birch; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) helvelloides

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across, hemispherical then flat with a broad umbo; hygrophanous, reddish-brown when wet, ochre when dry; smooth, with silky white veil remnants on the margin. Stem 30–70×3–7mm, often twisted; dull brown, base sometimes darker, sometimes with a violet tint near the apex. Flesh ochre to brown; taste mild, smell slight. Gills distant; dull rusty brown. Spores 8.4–9×5.9–6.6μ, ovate, roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat in alder swamps; early autunmn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) biformis

Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, broadly convex at first, soon becoming flat with a broad umbo; hygrophanous, dark brown when young, reddish-brown when wet, ochre when dry; smooth, with silky white veil remnants on the margin. Stem 60–15×5–10mm, tall and narrow, base slightly rooting; distinct white ring. Flesh hygrophanous, brown when wet; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; rusty brown. Spores 7.5–9×5–5.7μ, ellipsoid, distinctly roughened. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with conifers; early autunmn. Rare. Not edible. Note there is another form that is very similar but which has strong violet colours in the gills, stem, and flesh.

CORTINARIUS subgenus DERMOCYBE This group of Cortinarius can be recognized by their slender stems. The caps and young gills are strongly coloured greenish, yellow, or red. Some mycologists raise this subgenus to generic level.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) diasemospermus

Lamoure Cap 1.5–3.5cm across, campanulate then expanded and flat; dark greybrown when moist, drying light brown, with a pale edge, sometimes striate; surface silky matt. Stem 30–70×3–6mm, brown, covered at first with the white, cottony veil, which may form zones. Flesh beige-brown, drying lighter; taste mild, smell pleasant, sour-sweetish. Gills adnate; light ochre when young. Spores 7–10×4.5–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp places with deciduous trees; autumn. Very rare. Suspect avoid. Note this species was previously included in C. paleaceus Fr.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) flexipes

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 1–3cm across, conical then expanded and umbonate; dark brown when moist, especially at the centre, drying pale fawn; covered in minute, white, fibrous scales, which give it a grey appearance. Stem 30–70×2–6mm; brownish, covered at first with the white, cottony veil, which forms a distinct but short-lived ring and cottony scales below. Flesh pallid, smell of pelargonium. Gills adnate; pallid at first, later cinnamon. Spores 6.5–9×4–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp places on deciduous heathland; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid. Note three names have been often used for this fungus, the other two being C. paleaceus and C. paleiferus. The differences are somewhat subjective, with the name C. paleiferus normally applied to the form with stronger purple tones on cap and stem. Work done by Swedish mycologists has meant that most mycologists now accept C. flexipes as the correct name.

Cortinarius (Telamonia) flexipes var. inolens

Lindstr. Cap 1–3 (5) cm across, conical then expanded and umbonate; red-brown when moist, especially at the centre, drying pale fawn; covered in minute, white, fibrous scales when young, which disappear with age. Stem 30–80×3–6mm; brownish, with a distinct white, cottony ring. Flesh pallid brown; smell slight, of radish. Gills adnate; cinnamon. Spores 7–8.6×4.5–5.5μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Common. Suspect avoid. Note this is rather a common small Cortinarius that is related to C. flexipes (above), but with an ochrebrown rather than grey appearance.

Cortinarius (Dermocybe) uliginosus

Berk. Cap 1.5–5cm across, convex (often conical when young) then expanded and usually umbonate; bright tawny-orange to tawny-brick, margin paler or more yellowish; covered in fine, yellowish fibrils, especially near margin. Stem 25–65×3– 10mm, more or less thickened at base; concolorous with cap or paler, more yellowish at the apex and the base; covered in yellow tufts of fibres at apex, rusty fibres below; cortina yellow. Flesh bright lemon- to sulphur-yellow, tinged tawny in cap; smell of radish. Gills adnate; bright lemon-yellow at first, becoming ochre- to tawny-buff. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical, minutely rough. Spore print rust. Habitat in damp woodland, usually with alders or willow; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Blood-red Webcap Cortinarius (Dermocybe) sanguineus

(Wulfen) Fr. syn. C. puniceus P.D. Orton Cap 2–5cm across, flattened convex; carmine to dark blood-red, covered in radiating silky fibrils when viewed with a lens. Stem 30–60×3–8mm, slightly thickened at base; concolorous with cap or darker, base with pinkish or yellowish down; cortina red. Flesh concolorous, deep reddish-purple over gills and in stem cuticle; smell faint, pleasant. Gills adnate; concolorous with cap or darker, finally tinged rusty. Spores 7–9×4–6μ, elliptical, minutely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Surprise Webcap Cortinarius (Dermocybe) semisanguineus

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 2–6cm across, convex then expanded and umbonate; ochre- to olivebuff, often darker or tinged reddish at the centre; covered in fine fibres, disrupting into minute scales near the margin. Stem 20–100×4–12mm; ochraceous to olivaceous, paler at the apex, sparsely covered in olivaceous fibres below, base sometimes covered in pinkish to reddish down. Flesh ochraceous in stem, olivaceous in cap; taste slightly bitter, smell of radish. Gills adnate; blood-red. Spores 6–8×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat in mixed conifer and birch woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Dermocybe) croceus

(Schaeff.) Gray syn. C. cinnamomeobadius Rob. Henry Cap 1–6cm across, convex then expanded and umbonate; rusty ochraceous-buff to chestnut, margin remaining yellowish for a long time. Stem 30–80×3–8mm; chrome-yellow, often tinged olivaceous above gills; taste mild, smell faint, radishy. Gills adnate; chrome to deep golden, then ochre-buff to rusty or amber. Spores 6.5–9×4.5–5μ, elliptical, almost smooth. Spore print rust. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cinnamon Webcap Cortinarius (Dermocybe) cinnamomeus

(L.) Gray Cap 1.5–6cm across, convex then expanded and often umbonate; oliveyellow to olive-buff, with reddish-brown tinge at centre, soon becoming bright redbrown to coppery; covered in radiating fibrils. Stem 25–100×3–10mm, lemon- to chrome-yellow, becoming ringed in tawny fibrous scales below from the veil; cortina yellowish. Flesh lemon- to chrome-yellow, tinged olivaceous above the gills; taste bitter and radishy, smell faintly of radish. Gills adnate; deep lemon- to chrome-yellow at first, then deep golden to tawny or bright golden-red. Spores 6.5–8×4–5μ, elliptical, almost smooth to minutely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat with conifers and birch; autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Cortinarius (Dermocybe) malicorius

Fr. Cap 2–6cm across, hemispherical then broadly convex; brownish-cinnamon, margin more yellow; fibrillose to minutely scaly. Stem 20–40×4–7mm, equal or slightly swollen at the base, soon hollow; bright yellow, often reddish near the base; cortina yellow. Flesh greenish-yellow; taste slight, smell slightly of radish. Gills adnexed; bright orange at first, then bright cinnamon-orange. Spores 5–7×3.5–4.5μ, ovoid, rough. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat in damp coniferous woods, normally in mountains; autumn. Uncommon, more frequent in Scotland. Not edible.

Dyer’s Webcap Cortinarius (Dermocybe) fervidus

P.D. Orton Cap 2–5cm across, conical; copper-brown. Stem 60–90×5–8mm; yellow, with orange-brown fibres; soon hollow. Flesh yellow; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; brick-red. Spores 6.3–7.3×4.3–5.3μ, elliptical. Spore print rusty brown. Habitat with conifers; early autumn. Very rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Cortinarius (Dermocybe) purpureus

(Pers.) Fuckel syn. C. phoeniceus (Vent.) Maire Cap 2.5–6cm across, convex then expanded, often irregularly lobed; ochraceous red-brown to chestnut with metallic copper-red sheen when dry; silky or with a few adpressed tawny scales near the centre. Stem 25–90×5–12mm, slightly tapered at base when mature; yellowish, covered in adpressed tawny or red fibrils, often forming concentric bands of scales below cortinal zone, base covered in pinkish or yellowish down. Flesh whitish to yellowish, with reddish tinge below cap cuticle and sometimes in stem apex and base; taste none or slightly bitter, smell none or slight, pleasant. Gills almost free; bloodred, later tinged rust-red. Spores 6–8×3.8–4.5μ, almond- to pip-shaped, minutely roughened. Spore print rust. Habitat in conifer and beech woods; autumn. Uncommon. Suspect avoid.

Phaecollybia christinae

(Fr.) Heim Cap 1–5cm across, sharply conical with a pointed umbo; bright foxy red; sticky when moist, shining. Stem 40–120×3–6mm, long, slender, deeply rooting; pale yellowish at the apex, darker below; cartilaginous, smooth. Flesh firm, brittle; concolorous with cap; taste rather tart, smell strong, plant-like. Gills slightly adnexed, crowded, narrow; light to dark rusty yellow. Spores 8.7–9.8×4.7–5.3μ, almondshaped, roughened. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat in damp coniferous woods; autumn. Rare in Europe, not recorded for Brtiain. Not edible.

The Gypsy Rozites caperatus

(Pers.) P. Karst. Cap 5–10cm across, convex then expanded and umbonate; ochrebuff to ochre-brown; covered in silky, white, cobwebby fibrils, more densely at the centre. Stem 40–70×10–15mm, slightly swollen at the base or bulbous, whitish; ring whitish, narrow, spreading. Flesh whitish, tinged ochre; taste and smell mild and pleasant. Gills free; pale clay. Spores 10–13×8–9μ, elliptical, finely warted. Spore print ochre-brown. Habitat on damp acid soils, usually in open situations amongst conifers and heather; autumn. Confined to the Highlands of Scotland; virtually unknown in the south of England. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible. Note one day this may move to be part of Cortinarius.

Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus

(Batsch) Fr. Cap 5–14cm across, margin remaining inrolled; ochraceous or fulvous with olivaceous flush at first, becoming more rusty brown, finally hazel- or walnutbrown; viscid at centre when wet, downy throughout particularly at margin, becoming smooth later. Stem up to 75×8–12mm; concolorous with cap, becoming stained chestnut, especially with age or on bruising. Flesh pale ochre in cap, fulvous in stem base, darkening on cutting; taste acidic, smell fungusy. Gills decurrent, crowded; pale ochre then sienna, bruising vinaceous or chestnut. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print sienna. Habitat in broad-leaved woodland, especially with birch on acid heathland; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Deadly poisonous it has been known to cause death after consumption over a period.

Oyster Rollrim Tapinella panuoides

(Fr.) Gilb. syn. Paxillus panuoides (Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–6cm across; ochraceous to buff or fulvous; downy, often with lilac tomentum, especially towards point of attachment. Stem entirely absent or up to 10mm, rudimentary, lateral. Flesh ochraceous; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, crowded, wavy, branched; pale buff, bruising darker. Spores 4–5.5×3–4μ, ellipsoid. Spore print ochraceous-rust. Habitat on conifer debris, causing infected wood to become soft and discolour bright yellow; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Tapinella atromentosa

(Batsch) Šutara syn. Paxillus atrotomentosus (Batsch) Pers. Cap 12–28cm across, depressed at the centre, the margin inrolled; sepia or walnut-brown with sienna patches; slightly downy. Stem 30–90×20–50mm, sometimes lateral, rooting; covered in fine, olivaceous-buff down at first, becoming dark brown and more coarse and velvety with age. Flesh cream in cap, ochre or buff in stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills crowded, joining into vein-like network near stem. Spores 5–6.5×3– 4.5μ, ellipsoid. Spore print sienna. Habitat tufted on stumps of conifers, causing brown rot in the wood; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Suspect avoid. Note this fungus is better known by the name Paxillus atrotomentosa. Field photograph (c) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

GYMNOPILUS The common name is Rustgill; they have rust-coloured spores and grow on wood or woodland debris.

Spectacular Rustgill Gymnopilus junonius

(Fr.) P.D. Orton syn. Pholiota spectabilis var. junonia (Fr.) J.E. Lange Cap 5–15cm across, convex then expanded; rich golden-tawny; covered in small, fibrous, adpressed scales. Stem 50–120×15–35mm, usually swollen in lower part but narrowed again at base; chrome-yellow to ochre-buff; fibrous; ring yellowish, becoming rusty from spores, membranous, soon collapsing. Flesh pale yellowish; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills slightly decurrent; yellow then rusty brown. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, roughened. Spore print rust. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in dense clusters at the base of deciduous trees or on stumps or logs; late summer to early winter. Common. Not edible.

Common Rustgill Gymnopilus penetrans

(Fr.) Murrill Cap 3–8cm across, convex then flattened and often wavy at the margin; golden to tawny; smooth. Stem 40–70×5–10mm; yellow above, brownish below; covered in whitish fibres, base covered in white down. Flesh yellowish, tawny in stem; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills slightly decurrent; gold, spotted tawny with age. Spores 8–9×4–5μ, almond-shaped, warted. Spore print rust. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on conifer debris; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible avoid.

Gymnopilus hybridus

(Sowerby) Maire Cap 2–8cm across, convex then expanded, margin inrolled; pale ochraceous at first then bright rusty orange, remaining pale at margin. Stem 25–50×4– 8mm; ochraceous at first with white cortinate zone, later rusty towards base; becoming hollow, base covered in white down. Flesh ochraceous in cap, becoming more rusty in stem; taste bitter, smell scented. Gills slightly decurrent; ochre-yellow. Spores 7–9×3.5–4.5μ, almond-shaped, warted. Spore print rust. Cheilocystidia skittleshaped. Habitat on conifer stumps and debris; late summer. Occasional. Suspect avoid. Note some authors synonymize this with G. penetrans (above), but recent research shows that it is distinct.

Gymnopilus fulgens

(J. Favre & Maire) Singer Cap 0.5–3cm across, convex then expanded; tan or cinnamon when moist, drying more ochre. Stem 5–20×1–3mm; tan, becoming dark brown. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste mild, smell strong. Gills slightly decurrent; ochre to cinnamon. Spores 8–11×5–7μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat on swampy heathland, often amongst sphagnum; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Golden Scalycap Pholiota aurivella

(Batsch) P. Kumm. Cap 4–15cm across, bell-shaped to convex with a broad umbo; ochre-orange to tawny; sticky to slimy, with large, flattened, spot-like scales, which may disappear or become somewhat sticky when wet. Stem 50–80×5–15mm, central or off-centre; yellowish to yellow-brown; solid, dry and cottony above the ring, hairy and with down-curving scales towards base; white partial veil leaves evanescent ring or zone on upper stalk. Flesh firm; yellow; taste slight, smell sweet. Gills adnate, close, moderately broad; pale yellowish, becoming tawny brown. Spores 7–9.5×4.5– 6μ, ellipsoid, smooth, pore at apex. Spore print rusty brownish. Pleurocystidia present. Habitat in clusters on logs and living trunks of conifers and hardwoods; early summer to autumn. Not edible. Occasional. Note some mycologists use the name P. cerifera Karst.

Pholiota tuberculosa

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–5cm across, subglobose, becoming convex to flattened; sulphur-yellow to orange, covered in small, rusty, flattened scales. Stem 30–60×3– 10mm, base swollen; yellow, becoming brownish towards base; smooth above the short-lived ring, flaky below. Flesh yellow, becoming reddish-brown on cutting; taste bitter, smell slight, mushroomy. Gills adnate; pale yellow, becoming spotted rusty brown. Spores 6.5–9×4–5μ, kidney-shaped, smooth. Spore print rusty brown. Cheilocystidia cylindrical-clavate or capitate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on fallen twigs, branches and sawdust; summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

PHOLIOTA The common name for these is Scalycap. They are found on stumps, branches, wood debris, or sawdust, often forming clumps. The spore print is rusty brown.

Flaming Scalycap Pholiota flammans

(Batsch) P. Kumm. Cap 2–8cm across, convex then expanded, margin incurved; tawny yellow, covered in recurved lemon- to sulphur-yellow scales. Stem 40–80×4– 10mm; bright yellow; concolorous, cottony ring near apex, densely covered in concolorous scales below. Flesh pale yellow. Gills adnate; pale yellow at first, darkening to rusty yellow with age. Spores 4–4.5×2–2.5μ, elliptical. Spore print rusty. Pleurocystidia lanceolate with pointed apex, staining deeply cotton blue in lactic acid. Habitat singly or in tufts on conifer stumps or fallen trunks; late summer to autumn. Rare, more frequent in the Scottish Highlands. Not edible.

Pholiota astragalina

(Fr.) Singer Cap 2–5cm across, cone-shaped with an obtuse umbo, becoming flatly bell-shaped with spreading, upturning, or wavy margin with hairy veil remnants; pinky orange or apricot, paler at margin, fading with age, discolouring blackish in places; smooth, sticky or slimy when wet, pallid. Stem 50–90×4–7mm; pale yellow to drab orange at base, brownish where handled; hollow, fibrous; veil yellow. Flesh orange to yellowish-orange; pliant, watery; taste bitter, smell distinct. Gills sharply and deeply adnexed, appearing free, close, moderately broad; orange-yellow, discolouring where bruised. Spores 5.5–6.5×3.5–4μ, oval to ellipsoid, smooth, with minute germ pore. Spore print brown. Habitat singly or in small groups on logs, stumps, and rotting coniferous wood; late summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Not edible.

Shaggy Scalycap Pholiota squarrosa

(Weigel) P. Kumm. Cap 3–11cm across, convex, becoming flattened, margin remaining inrolled; pale straw-yellow, densely covered in coarse red-brown, upturned scales; not viscid. Stem 50–120×10–15mm; pale yellow, darkening at base; smooth above torn membranous ring, covered in red-brown recurved scales below. Flesh pale yellowish, becoming red-brown in stem base; tough; taste and smell radishy. Gills crowded; pale yellow at first, later cinnamon. Spores 5.5–9×3.5–5μ, oval, smooth. Spore print rusty brown. Pleurocystidia clavate with mucronate apex. Habitat in dense clusters at the base of deciduous and, very occasionally, coniferous trees; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Pholiota adiposa

(Batsch) P. Kumm. Cap 5–12cm across; golden-yellow; viscid, covered in gelatinous, rusty brown, upturned scales, especially towards centre. Stem 20–50×5–10mm, often curved or distorted due to growing in clusters; yellow; smooth above the inconspicuous torn ring, covered in bands of viscid, brownish, recurved scales below. Flesh pale yellow in cap, darkening to brownish in stem; tough; smell scented. Gills adnate; yellow at first, later rusty brown. Spores 5–6.5×3–3.5μ, oval, smooth. Spore print rusty brown. Pleurocystidia lanceolate with acute mucronate apex, thin-walled. Habitat in dense clusters at the foot of beech trees or stumps; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note Holec (2001) has proposed that this fungus may actually be P. jahnii, but most mycologists have not as yet accepted this.

Alder Scalycap Pholiota alnicola

(Fr.) Singer Cap 2–8cm across, convex to flattened, veil remnants often adhering to margin; bright lemon-yellow, becoming flushed olivaceous at margin; smooth, greasy. Stem 20–80×5–10mm; pale lemon-yellow above remains of veil, becoming rusty brown towards the base; not viscid. Flesh yellow in cap, rusty towards stem base; taste mild to slightly bitter, smell pleasant, sweet. Gills pale yellow at first becoming cinnamon. Spores 8.5–11.5×5–5.5μ, oval, smooth. Spore print rusty brown. Cheilocystidia clavate, hair-like, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat solitary or in small clusters on deciduous wood, especially alder, willow, and birch; autumn. Frequent. Edible but not worthwhile. Note in Britain most specimens of this fungus were wrongly determined as Pholiota flavida.

Pholiota lenta

(Pers.) Singer Cap 3–8cm across, convex-hemispherical, becoming more expanded in age; whitish to pinkish-buff or smoky grey, with a slightly darker disc; sticky to slimy, with scattered white, hairy scales of veil remnants. Gills adnate or with a decurrent tooth, close, narrow to medium-broad, edges even to fringed; white becoming greyishbrown. Stem 30–100×4–12mm, sub-bulbous; white above, brownish below; solid or spongy, finely hairy; veil copious, cortinate, white, leaving an evanescent ring. Flesh white; firm; taste mild, smell slight, radishy. Spores 5.5–7×3.5–4.5μ, ellipsoid to oblong, smooth, tiny pore at apex. Deposit cigar-brown. Pleurocystidia abundant. Habitat on humus debris in mixed woods; summer to winter. Uncommon. Not edible.

Pholiota scamba

(Fr.) M.M. Moser Cap 1.5–3cm across, broadly convex, becoming flatter, sometimes with a low umbo, hairs hanging from margin; pallid to pinkish-cinnamon, hairs similar colour; sticky but soon dry, silky, glistening with minute hairs. Gills adnate with a slight tooth, close, medium-broad, edges even; pale yellow, becoming pale olive-brownish. Stem 15–30×1–3mm, often curved; clear yellow above, clay-brown below; solid, minutely woolly or hairy and scaly below, with stiff, rough hairs at base. Flesh yellowish; very soft and watery, cartilaginous; taste mild, smell faintly fragrant. Spores 7–9×4.5–5.5μ, ovoid to ellipsoid, smooth, germ pore in apex. Spore print cigar-brown. Habitat in groups or dense clusters on mossy conifer logs and debris; early summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Bonfire Scalycap Pholiota highlandensis

(Peck) Quadr. syn. P. carbonaria (Fr.) Singer Cap 2–5cm across, shallowly convex, becoming flattened and wavy; ochre-brown to tan, lighter at margin; smooth, viscid drying shiny, rather variable. Stem 35–70×4–8mm, pale yellowish above ring zone, covered in fine, cottony fibres and darkening reddish-brown towards the base. Flesh pale yellow, rusty-brown in stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; pale clay, later cinnamon, finally olive-brown. Spores 6.5–8×3.5–4.5μ, oval, smooth. Spore print brown. Pleurocystidia fusiform, projecting conspicuously beyond the basidia, thin-walled, hyaline; cheilocystidia similar. Habitat on burnt ground, often in large numbers; autumn, sporadically throughout the year. Frequent. Not edible.

Sticky Scalycap Pholiota gummosa

(Lasch) Singer syn. P. ochrochlora (Fr.) P.D. Orton Cap 2–5cm across, convex then expanded or slightly depressed, margin with velar remnants at first; pale strawcoloured or tinged greenish at margin, covered in pointed, straw-yellow to olivaceous scales, especially at the centre; initially slightly viscid, soon dry. Stem 25–50×4– 8mm; whitish at apex, straw-yellow below, darkening to rust at the base; covered in reflexed, straw-coloured or greenish scales below indistinct ring zone. Flesh whitish to yellowish in cap, becoming brownish in stem base; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnexed; whitish-yellow, becoming ochre or tinged olivaceous, finally cinnamon. Spores 6–8×4–5μ, elliptical to ovoid. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat in small clusters on wood; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Rooting Poisonpie Hebeloma radicosum

(Bull.) Ricken syn. Pholiota radicosa (Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 6–9cm across, convex; cream to pale yellowish-brown; glutinous in wet weather. Stem 50–80×10–15mm, the base tapering into a long ‘tap-root’; white and mealy above the ring, covered in brownish fibrous scales below. Flesh white; taste sweet, smell of almonds. Gills free; pallid at first, darkening slightly with age. Spores 9–10×5–6μ, almond-shaped, minutely warted. Spore print dull brown. Cheilocystidia subcylindrical to slightly clavate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in broad-leaved woodland, expecially with oak or beech; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible avoid.

Bitter Poisonpie Hebeloma sinapizans

(Paulet) Gillet Cap 4–14cm across, convex at first, becoming flattened and often wavy or upturned at margin; ochre-brown or tan, paling to cream or buff at margin; greasy at first. Stem 50–120×10–20mm, swollen at the base; white, covered in brownish scales forming a pattern of bands around the stem; becoming hollow, often with a piece of the cap hanging down into the cavity. Flesh whitish; smell of radish. Gills free; pale clay-buff, later with a cinnamon flush. Spores 10–14.5×6–8μ, almondshaped, warted. Spore print rust. Cheilocystidia with a slightly swollen body and a narrower neck, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in broad-leaved and mixed woodland; autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

HEBELOMA The common name for these is Poisonpie. The caps are cream or pale brown, often viscid or slimy, and the stems fibrous, often with a granular surface. Note the smell, which may only be apparent on cutting or bruising. The gills, like those of Inocybe (here), turn dull fawn-coloured as the pinkish-brown spores mature.

Hebeloma

Poisonpie Hebeloma crustuliniforme

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 4–10cm across, convex then expanded and often obtusely umbonate, margin remaining inrolled for a long time, often lobed; buff to pale ochretan, darker at centre; slightly greasy to viscid when moist. Stem 40–70×10–20mm; whitish; mealy, especially towards the apex. Flesh white; thick; taste bitter, smell strongly of radish. Gills free; pale clay-brown, exuding watery droplets in moist conditions, spotted when dry. Spores 10–12×5.5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, warted. Spore print rust. Cheilocystidia elongated club-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in open mixed woodland; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Poisonous.

Hebeloma senescens

Sacc. syn. H. edurum Métrod ex Bon Cap 3–10cm across, convex, margin inrolled, edge wrinkled to furrowed when young; pale cream-ochre to hazel-brown at the centre, to pale pinkish; dry. Stem 30–100×10–20mm, base swollen, slightly rooting, difficult to dig up intact; whitish to pale clay; fibrous, veil present. Flesh white; taste mild to slightly radishy, smell faint, like cocoa, or absent. Gills sinuate; whitish at first, becoming dull milky coffee. Spores 9–12×5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, warty. Spore print pale brown. Habitat in circles around pine trees; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible suspect.

Veiled Poisonpie Hebeloma mesophaeum

(Pers.) Quél. Cap 2–4.5cm across, convex then expanded, margin covered in white fibrous veil remnants when young; yellowish-brown, darker tan to date-brown at centre; viscid when moist. Stem 40–70×4mm; whitish above, brownish towards the base; poorly developed, fibrillose ring zone. Flesh white in cap, brownish towards stem base; taste bitter, smell strongly of radish. Gills free; clay-brown. Spores 8– 10×5–6μ, elliptical, very minutely punctate. Spore print rusty clay. Cheilocystidia elongate-cylindric with obtuse apex, base often slightly enlarged, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat damp woodland, often on burnt ground; late summer to early winter. Common. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Hebeloma pusillum

J.E. Lange Cap 1–2.5cm across, conico-convex then expanded, often with a small umbo; pallid tan, darkening to rufous or date-brown at centre; slightly viscid. Stem 20–40×2–3mm; white, discolouring brownish towards base; mealy. Flesh pallid; thin; taste bitter, smell of radish. Gills free; pallid at first, then clay-brown. Spores 10– 14×5.5–7μ, almond-shaped, finely warted. Spore print clay-brown. Habitat with willow; summer to autumn. Occasional, more frequent in southern Britain. Unknown edibility.

Hebeloma cistophylum

Maire Cap 1.5–5cm across, conico-convex at first then expanded, slightly umbonate; pallid tan, darkening to chestnut- or date-brown at centre; slightly viscid. Stem 20– 40×2–5mm, the base often swollen; white, discolouring brownish towards base, mealy, cortina fleeting. Flesh pallid brownish; thin; taste mild, smell sweetish, of radish when cut. Gills free; pallid at first, becoming clay-brown. Spores 9–12×6– 7.5μ, almond-shaped. Spore print clay-brown. Habitat with cistus shrubs in the Mediterranean region, not found in Britain; summer to autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Hebeloma theobrominum

Quadr. Cap 4–6cm across, convex; dark tan to cocoa-brown; greasy. Stem 50–80×5– 10mm; white. Flesh white; taste bitter, smell faintly of radish. Gills white at first, later milky coffee. Spores 7–11×4.5–5.5μ, almond-shaped, virtually smooth. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia clavate with apex about 6μ wide, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in grassy coniferous woods; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility. Note in my first book I wrongly named this fungus H. truncatum.

Sweet Poisonpie Hebeloma pallidoluctosum

Gröger & Zschiesch Cap 2–7cm across, convex at first, becoming flattened, sometimes with indistinct umbo; ochre-buff at the centre, paling to buff at the margin; greasy. Stem 40–80×5–12mm; whitish apex mealy, silky-fibrous below. Flesh white; taste bitter, smell sweet, flowery. Gills free; clay-brown then rusty. Spores 12–17×7– 9μ, almond-shaped, warted. Spore print deep rust. Cheilocystidia cylindrical, thinwalled, hyaline. Habitat in damp woodlands; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility, avoid. Note most British mycologists wrongly identified this mushroom as Hebeloma sacchariolens Quél., as I did in my first book; H. sacchariolens is a complex, and this fungus is the most frequent member of it.

Hebeloma bruchetii

Bon Cap 1.5–3cm across, conico-convex at first then expanded, often umbonate, margin hung with veil remnants; light reddish-brown to orange-brown, lighter at margin; slightly viscid when wet. Stem 20–40×3–6mm; pale cream, discolouring redbrownish towards base; copious, ochraceous veil. Flesh pallid; thin; taste somewhat bitter, smell slightly radishy. Gills free; pallid at first then reddish-brown. Spores 8– 10.5×4.5–6μ, ellipsoid. Spore print clay-brown. Habitat with dwarf willow in mountainous regions, especially Scotland; summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility, avoid. Note this is possibly a first record for this fungus in Britain.

INOCYBE The common name for these small, dull-coloured mushrooms with conical or umbonate caps is Fibrecap. Examine the cap surface for texture, and note the presence or absence of a bulb at the stem base. The flesh may discolour when old or cut or bruised, and many have interesting smells. Most Inocybes cannot be determined without examining the walnut-brown spores under a microscope. Avoid eating any Inocybes, many are poisonous and at least one is deadly.

Inocybe

Inocybe godeyi

Gillet Cap 2–5cm across, conical then expanded; cream then ochraceous to tan, bruising bright red, often becoming entirely so; smooth, silky, becoming radially fissured with age. Stem 40–60×3–8mm, ending in a distinctly marginate bulb; whitish then reddening; mealy to the base. Flesh white, gradually reddening when cut; taste acrid, smell strong, unpleasant. Gills whitish at first then cinnamon. Spores 9– 11.5×5.5–7μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid or bottle-shaped with thickened walls and apical encrustation. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially with beech on chalk; autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous.

Straw Fibrecap Inocybe cookei

Bres. Cap 2–5cm across, conical or bell-shaped then flattened with a prominent umbo, margin cracking; ochre; covered in long fibres. Stem 30–60×4–8mm, bulb marginate; whitish with ochre flush. Flesh whitish then straw-yellow; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnexed; whitish then pale cinnamon. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, beanshaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia pyriform, non-encrusted, thin-walled. Habitat in mixed woods; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Inocybe dulcamara

P. Kumm. Cap 1–4cm across, convex, becoming almost flat; greenish ochraceous to tawny; white cortina on young specimens makes it possible to confuse this fungus with Cortinarius (here). Stem 25–40×3–8mm; concolorous with cap; sometimes with indistinct cottony ring. Flesh buff or ochraceous; taste sweet, smell slight. Gills adnate; yellow-buff at first then brown. Spores 7.5–10.5×5–5.5μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown, distinguishes this from Cortinarius. Cheilocystidia clavate or pyriform, sometimes in short chains. Habitat on sandy path sides or dunes; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Red-staining or Deadly Fibrecap Inocybe erubescens

A. Blytt. syn. I. patouillardii Bres. Cap 2.5–8cm across, conical or bell-shaped, often with low, broad umbo, margin becoming lobed or split; ivory, covered in red- or

brown-staining radial fibres. Stem 30–100×10–20mm, sometimes with marginate bulb; white, staining red. Flesh white, unchanging; taste mild, smell faint when young, rank when older. Gills adnate; rose-pink then cream, finally olive-brown, bruising red. Spores 10–13×5.5–7μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print dull brown. Cheilocystidia subcylindrical without apical encrustation, thin-walled. Habitat on path sides in deciduous woods, usually beech, on chalky soils; spring to autumn. Uncommon. Deadly Poisonous. Note I have reluctantly adopted the earlier name.

Frosty Fibrecap Inocybe maculata

Boud. Cap 2–8cm across, conical to bell-shaped with prominent umbo, often radially split or cracked; covered in long chestnut fibres, initially with veil of dense white down, persisting on umbo. Stem 30–80×5–12mm; white, becoming flushed brown; sometimes slightly smoother at base. Flesh white; taste mild, smell strong and fruity. Gills adnate; pale greyish-buff, edge white. Spores 9–11×4.5–5.5μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia clavate without apical encrustation, thin-walled. Habitat in beech woods on chalk; autumn. Occasional. Poisonous.

Split Fibrecap Inocybe rimosa

(Bull.) P. Kumm. syn. I. fastigiata (Schaeff.) Quél. Cap 2–10cm across, conical or bell-shaped with prominent umbo, splitting radially on expanding; straw-yellow or buff; covered in long, silky fibres. Stem 30–90×4–12mm, no bulb; white at apex, pale buff below. Flesh white, unchanging; taste mild with bitter aftertaste, smell slight, mealy. Gills adnexed or adnate; yellowish-clay, edge white. Spores 9–12×4.5–7μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia cylindrical, without encrustation, thin-walled. Habitat in deciduous woodland especially beech woods; early summer to late autumn. Common. Poisonous. Note I have adopted the earlier name.

Fruity Fibrecap Inocybe bongardii

(Weinm.) Quél. Cap 3–6cm across, conico-convex then bell-shaped; pale cinnamon with pink flush, densely covered with slightly darker scales. Stem 50–100×5–10mm; whitish, but bruising red, finally entirely brownish; silky. Flesh white, becoming pinkish-buff; taste mild, smell fruity, like ripe pears. Gills adnexed; pale olive-grey, becoming olive-cinnamon, edge white. Spores 10–12×6–7μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, cylindrical to clavate. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous.

Pear Fibrecap Inocybe fraudans

(Britzelm.) Sacc. syn. I. pyriodora sensu auct. mult. Cap 3–7cm across, bell-shaped, the margin often becoming split; ochraceous-brown with reddish tints. Stem 40– 80×6–12mm; whitish, becoming flushed the colour of the cap, the apex remaining white. Flesh white, becoming pinkish or buff; taste mild, smell of over-ripe pears. Gills adnate; whitish at first, becoming clay-pink with a white edge. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia fusoid, not very numerous, with apical encrustation and with thin or only slightly thickened wall. Spores 8–11.5×5–7μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Habitat in all kinds of woodland; autumn. Occasional. Suspect Note I have adopted the earlier name for this.

Lilac Leg Fibrecap Inocybe griseolilacina

J.E. Lange Cap 1.5–2.5cm across, conico-convex at first, then expanded and umbonate; ochre-brown with violet tinges when young, particularly at the centre; covered in small, shaggy scales. Stem 30–70×2–4mm, slightly swollen at the base; pale lilac when young, later brown; densely covered in white, cottony fibres. Flesh lilac when young, becoming dirty white or brownish with age; taste mild, smell strongly mealy. Gills adnate, white at first, then walnut-brown. Spores 8.5–11×5–6μ, elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation; hyaline. Habitat in deciduous woods and on roadsides; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

White Fibrecap Inocybe geophylla

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1.5–3.5cm across, conical, soon expanding, with prominent umbo; white with yellowish tinge; smooth and silky. Stem 10–60×3–6mm; white; silky-fibrillose. Flesh white and unchanging; taste mild, smell earthy or mealy. Gills crowded, adnexed; cream at first, then darkening to clay. Spores 8–10.5×5–6μ, smooth, almond-shaped. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation. Habitat on path sides in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous woods; early summer to late autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Lilac Fibrecap Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina

(Peck) Gillet Cap as I. geophylla (above) except for the striking lilac colour, often with ochraceous flush at umbo. Stem lilac with ochraceous base. Flesh violaceous; taste acrid, smell strongly earthy or mealy. Gills crowded, adnexed; clay-coloured. Spores 7–10×5.5–6μ, slightly almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation. Habitat in woods of all kinds; summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous.

Inocybe adaequata

(Britzelm.) Sacc. syn. I. jurana (Pat.) Sacc. Cap 2–6cm across, conical to bell-shaped; buff with darker brown fibres radiating from the centre, soon becoming flushed reddish-brown or sometimes vinaceous-purple; the black patches on the caps shown here are mould. Stem 20–60×4–10mm, base slightly swollen; white, soon becoming reddish. Flesh white at first, becoming flushed pink in cap and stem base; taste mild or mealy, smell strongly mealy. Gills adnate or free; white at first then tinged clay. Spores 10–15×5–7μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, clavate, without apical encrustation. Habitat in deciduous or mixed woods, especially beechwoods on chalk; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note I have adopted the earlier name for this.

Greenfoot Fibrecap Inocybe calamistrata

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 1–5cm across, convex to bell-shaped; dark brown; covered in erect, pointed scales. Stem 30–70×5–10mm; concolorous with cap, apex paler, covered in recurved, brown scales, base covered with bluish-green down. Flesh white becoming reddish, bluish-green at stem base; taste mild, smell fishy or acidic. Gills adnexed; whitish, later rusty-brown. Spores 9.5–11.5×5–6.5μ, smooth, bean-shaped. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, vesicular or clavate, lacking apical encrustation; pleurocystidia absent. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods; summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Collared Fibrecap Inocybe cincinnata

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped then expanding with a broad umbo; reddish-brown; densely covered in minute, erect scales. Stem 20–30×2–4mm; pallid, tinged violaceous at apex; thinly covered in brownish, cottony tufts towards the base. Flesh whitish, flushed violet in cap and stem apex; taste slightly bitter, smell mealy. Gills adnexed; pallid with a brown edge, then rusty-brown. Spores 7.5–9.5×4.5–6μ, obliquely ovate, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, bottle-shaped, encrusted apically with crystals, and with thickened walls which are yellowish in ammonia. Habitat in damp deciduous and coniferous woods; summer. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Inocybe sindonia

(Fr.) P. Karst. syn. I. eutheles sensu auct. mult. Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped with prominent umbo; pale buff and broken up into coarse, fibrous scales, paler at margin. Stem 40–70×5–10mm, slightly swollen at the base; white, flushed flesh-colour; pruinose throughout. Flesh white, unchanging; taste mild, smell earthy. Gills adnate; pale clay with white edge. Spores 8.5–10×4–5μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, elongate-fusoid, with apical encrustation; pale yellowish. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note previously well-known as I. eutheles.

Scaly Fibrecap Inocybe hystrix

(Fr.) P. Karst. Cap 2–4cm across, convex or with a low, broad umbo; covered in dark brown, pointed, erect scales on a pale background. Stem 40–80×5–8mm, sometimes slightly thickened towards the base; covered in dark brown, recurved scales except for the paler apex. Flesh whitish-pallid; taste mild, smell slight. Gills adnate; whitish at first, then pale clay with a white edge. Spores 9–11.5×4.5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially beech; autumn. Uncommon, better known in Scotland. Poisonous.

Torn Fibrecap Inocybe lacera

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–3cm across, convex with slight umbo, sometimes splitting from the margin inwards; walnut-brown; fibrillose. Stem 20–30×3–6mm, with a slightly bulbous base; whitish near apex, brownish towards base; fibrillose. Flesh white; taste mild, smell mealy. Gills adnexed; white at first, soon clay-buff with white edge. Spores 11–15×4.5–6μ, subcylindrical, smooth, making this species easily recognizable microscopically. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation. Habitat on sandy soils, especially with pines; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Inocybe lanuginosa

(Bull.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–4cm across, convex at first, becoming flattened; cinnamon to darker brown; covered in shaggy, fibrous, erect scales, especially in the centre. Stem 40–70×5–7mm; brown; cottony fibres give a coarse, shaggy appearance. Flesh white; smell slight. Gills broad, adnexed to adnate; cinnamon. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, oblong, with knobby surface. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thin-walled, cylindrical, sometimes with subapical constriction, present on gill edge and gill face. Habitat amongst moss in mixed woods of pine and birch; autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note in my first book I called this I. longicystis Atk., but I have now adopted the earlier name.

Inocybe hirtella

Bres. Cap 1–3cm across, convex to bell-shaped; straw-yellow to gold; disrupting into small, adpressed scales. Stem 20–45×2–4mm, base slightly bulbous; white, tinged flesh-colour; mealy. Flesh white in cap, pale brownish in stem; taste mild, smell of almonds, but this is often difficult to detect unless specimens have been enclosed in a small container. Gills adnexed; whitish-straw at first, then becoming olive-brown. Spores 8–12×5–7μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print brown. Basidia usually 2spored. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia thick-walled, varying in shape from narrowly to broadly fusoid, apically encrusted with crystals. Habitat in deciduous or mixed woods, especially with hazel; autumn. Occasional, probably often overlooked or confused with other species. Not edible.

Inocybe praetervisa

Quél. Cap 3–5cm across, bell-shaped, becoming expanded and splitting radially; dirty yellowish-brown; fibrous. Stem 50–60×3–8mm, with submarginate bulb; white then pale straw; entirely finely mealy. Flesh white, discolouring yellowish in stem; taste mild, smell faintly of meal. Gills adnexed; whitish at first, becoming clay-brown. Spores 10–12×7–9μ, oblong, with numerous distinct, angular knobs. Spore print claybrown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, with apical encrustation, the walls thickened, hyaline or pale yellowish. Habitat in mixed woods, often under beech; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Suspect avoid.

Fleecy Fibrecap Inocybe flocculosa

Sacc. Cap 2–4cm across, bell-shaped with a prominent, broad umbo; pale cinnamonbrown with cream or grey down, margin paler and joined to the stem by a whitish cortina. Stem 30–50×5–10mm; white, becoming flushed fawn with a white base; apex pruinose. Flesh white, reddening slightly in the stem; taste mild, smell mealy or fruity. Gills adnexed, crowded; pale fawn at first, later becoming cinnamon. Spores 8–11×4.5–5.5μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia fusoid, with apical encrustation, thick-walled. Habitat in broad-leaved or mixed woodlands; autumn. Occasional. Poisonous. Note illustration (h) with the dark scales was published as I. tigrina in my first book, but this name has since been dropped as nomen dubium.

Inocybe grammata

Quél. Cap 1.5–4cm across, conical to bell-shaped with an acute umbo; whitish umbo, elsewhere honey-coloured often with a pink flush, covered in fine, white, radiating fibrils. Stem 40–75×3–10mm, with a large, marginate bulb; white, becoming flushed pinkish, especially at apex; finely mealy to base. Flesh white in the centre of the cap, elsewhere pale flesh-coloured; taste mild, smell strong and pleasant. Gills adnexed; white then pallid, becoming cinnamon. Spores 7–9×5–5.5μ, oblong, with 8–12 indistinct knobs giving a wavy outline. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia variable in shape from fusoid to ovate, with apical encrustation and thickened, hyaline walls. Habitat amongst grass in open mixed woodland; summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Bulbous Fibrecap Inocybe napipes

J.E. Lange Cap 2–5cm across, conical to bell-shaped with pointed umbo; chestnutbrown to umber; covered in radial fibres. Stem 30–60×5–7mm; whitish at apex and at base of bulb, stem tinged with cap colour. Flesh whitish-buff in cap and bulb, darker in stem; taste mild, smell slight, not distinctive. Gills adnexed; whitish, then dingy brown. Spores 9–10×6μ, oblong, with several prominent knobs. Spore print walnutbrown. Cystidia thick-walled, ventricose, with apical encrustation. Habitat in damp deciduous and mixed woods; summer to late autumn. Frequent. Poisonous.

Inocybe assimilata

(Britzelm.) Sacc. syn. I. umbrina Bres. Cap 1.5–4cm across, bell-shaped with prominent umbo; umber or chestnut-brown, initially covered by a greyish veil. Stem 30–50×3–5mm; whitish at apex and bulb, concolorous with cap below. Flesh whitish, turning brown in stem; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; pale clay. Spores 7–8×5–6μ, oblong, with slight protuberances. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, fusoid, with apical encrustation. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods. Occasional. Not edible. Note I have adopted the older name.

Inocybe margaritispora

(Cooke) Sacc. Cap 3–6cm across, bell-shaped; surface disrupting into rather dispersed, yellowish-brown scales on a whitish background. Stem 40–100×4–10mm, rather tall, straight, slightly flattened bulb; whitish then flushed yellowish-brown; finely mealy at apex. Flesh white; smell fruity. Gills adnexed; whitish, then claybrown. Spores 8.5–11×6–7.5μ, almost star-shaped, with 5–6 prominent knobs. Spore print brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia bottle-shaped, with thickened walls especially towards the apex, which is encrusted with crystals. Habitat in hazel copses; summer. Uncommon. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Scurfy Fibrecap Inocybe petiginosa

(Fr.) Gillet Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, convex to obtusely umbonate; initially covered in small, whitish scales, which are soon lost to leave a brown disc and white margin, the surface silky-fibrous. Stem 15–40×1–2mm; cream to reddish-brown; mealy. Flesh whitish in cap, reddish-brown in stem; thick at disc; taste mild, smell none. Gills adnexed; cream at first, later brown with an olivaceous tint, edge hairy under a lens. Spores 6.5–8.5×4–6μ, ovate, with several blunt knobs. Spore print walnut-brown. Cystidia thick-walled, fusoid; becoming yellow in ammonia. Habitat in deciduous woods, especially beech; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Conocybe rickenii

(Jul. Schäff.) Kühner Cap 1–2.5cm across, conical to bell-shaped; cream, tinged ochre-brown, more grey-brown at the centre; very rarely striate. Stem 40–70×1–2mm; whitish-cream, darkening to dirty brown. Flesh grey-brown in cap, cream to ochrebrown in stem, darkening towards base; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; ochraceous-cream at first, darkening to rusty ochre. Spores 10–20×6–12μ, elliptical to oval. Spore print brown. Basidia 2-spored. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat on rich soil, compost, or dung; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Conocybe moseri

Watling Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped; pale grey-brown; smooth. Stem 40–60×2– 3mm; pallid, becoming darker towards the base; no ring. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; pale ochraceous-buff. Spores 9–16×5– 9.5μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print ochraceous-brown. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, head 3.2–5μ in diameter. Habitat in earth on roadsides, in gardens, or in fields; autumn. Very rare. Suspect. Note in my first book I used the incorrect American name C. plumbeitincta (Atk.) Singer. It is possible that this might be a member of the C. siennophylla complex, further study is required.

Conocybe percincta

P.D. Orton syn. C. teneroides sensu auct. Cap 1–3.5cm across, conico-convex, expanding and often umbonate; pale yellow with darker ochre centre, becoming darker yellow-brown. Stem 25–45×2–5mm, pale yellowish, often darkening towards the base; silky above ring, finely cottony below; ring prominent, later movable and often slipping down the stem. Flesh yellowish, darkening to brown towards the stem base; smell slightly acidic or mealy. Gills pale clay at first, becoming dirty ochre, finally rusty clay. Spores 10–12×5–6μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, with germ pore. Spore print rust. Basidia 2-spored. Cheilocystidia obtuse, cylindrical-clavate, utriform, or lageniform. Habitat on bare soil or rotting straw; late autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Conocybe velutipes

(Velen.) Hauskn. & Svrček syn. C. kuehneriana Singer Cap 1–2cm across, bellshaped; ochre to tawny brown, drying paler; striate from margin to halfway to centre. Stem 30–60×2–3mm; pale at the apex, concolorous with cap below; covered in fine white fibres towards the base. Flesh pale ochraceous-buff. Gills adnexed or free; claybuff at first, later ochraceous. Spores 8.5–11.5×5–7μ. Spore print ochraceous. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, head 3–5μ in diameter. Habitat in lawns; summer. Uncommon. Suspect. Note in my first book I named this fungus C. ochracea, under which name it has often been recorded.

Conocybe tenera

(Schaeff.) Fayod Cap 1–4cm across, bluntly conical at first, expanding bell-shaped; ochre-brown or cinnamon, drying more yellowish. Stem 50–100×4–7mm; whitish, flushed with cap colour; fragile, soon hollow, finely powdered appearance to surface. Flesh concolorous with cap; thin; smell mushroomy. Gills adnate, crowded; whitish, then cinnamon. Spores 8.5–14.5×5–8μ, ovate. Spore print bright yellow-brown. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, head 2.5–5μ in diameter. Habitat amongst grass in woods and fields; late spring to early winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Conocybe pubescens

(Gillet) Kühner Cap 0.5–1.2cm across, remaining conical to bell-shaped and not expanding; ochraceous, drying paler, almost cream. Stem 40–80×1–2mm; pale at apex, concolorous with cap below, darkening towards the base; fragile, soon hollow. Flesh ochraceous; very thin. Gills adnate; ochraceous-cinnamon. Spores 13–14.5×7– 8.5μ. Spore print ochraceous-brown. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, head 2.5–4.5μ in diameter. Habitat amongst grass in woods and in lawns; autumn. Occasional. Edibility suspect. Note in my first book I named this fungus C. pseudopilosella, the name then used in Britain.

Conocybe subovalis

Kühner & Watling C. tenera var. subovalis Kühner Cap 1.5–3.5cm across, convex to bell-shaped; dull ochre, flushed with cinnamon, drying pale ochraceous-cream; smooth. Stem 60–100×1–2mm, with a small, distinct, more or less marginate bulb; ochraceous-cinnamon; minutely powdered whitish towards base. Flesh ochraceouscream in cap, cinnamon in stem; very thin. Gills free, rather crowded; ochraceousbuff, becoming more cinnamon. Spores oval, 11–14×6–8μ. Spore print pale ochraceous-rust. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped, head usually 5–6.5μ in diameter. Habitat in pastures; autumn. Occasional. Edibility suspect.

Fool’s Conecap Conocybe filaris

(Fr.) Kühner Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, bell-shaped; tan to yellowish-cream; faint lines at margin when fresh. Stem 30–50×1–3mm; white at first, discolouring yellowish to brownish, especially towards base; distinct, membranous, striate ring is white at first, soon coloured golden-rust by the spores. Flesh concolorous with cap; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; pale ochraceous-tan. Spores 6–10×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print ochraceous-rust. Cystidia lageniform, sometimes slightly capitate or with flexuous neck. Habitat amongst grass, usually solitary; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Conocybe apala

(Fr.) Arnolds syn. C. albipes (G.H. Otth) Hauskn. syn. C. lactea (J.E. Lange) Métrod Cap 1–2.5cm across, conical to narrowly bell-shaped; whitish to yellowish-cream, not hygrophanous or striate. Stem 30–110×1–2mm, with a rounded bulb; white; powdery near apex. Flesh thin. Gills free; white then cinnamon. Spores 11.5–15×7–10μ, elliptical with a germ-pore. Basidia 4-spored. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, skittleshaped, head 4.5–5.7μ wide. Habitat on lawns, roadsides, sawdust, and sand-dunes; late summer to late autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Velvet Toughshank or Sheathed Woodtuft Kuehneromyces mutabilis

(Schaeff.) Singer & A.H. Sm. syn. Galerina mutabilis (Schaeff.) P.D. Orton Cap 3– 6cm across, convex then expanded and usually umbonate; bright orange-cinnamon when moist, drying pale ochraceous from the centre, often appearing distinctly twocoloured. Stem 30–80×5–10mm; whitish above, becoming darker tan to blackish towards the base; scaly below the ring. Flesh white, tinged brownish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; pallid at first, later cinnamon. Spores 6–7.5×4–5μ, ovate to slightly almond-shaped, with germ-pore. Spore print deep ochre. Habitat in dense clusters on stumps or trunks of deciduous trees; spring to early winter. Common. Edible good. Note take care not to confuse this species with other smallish, brown, poisonous fungi.

Galerina mniophila

(Lasch) Kühner Cap 1–1.5cm across, bell-shaped; dirty yellowish-brown and distinctly striate when moist, drying pallid clay. Stem 40–80×2mm; whitish at apex in young specimens, pale yellowish-brown below. Flesh concolorous; smell mealy. Gills adnate; pale ochraceous, then dingy yellowish-brown. Spores 9.5–13×5.5–7μ, almond-shaped, faintly ornamented. Spore print ochre. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, with swollen base and long, obtuse neck, hyaline. Habitat amongst moss in damp woods; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Dwarf Bell Galerina pumila

(Pers.) Singer syn. G. mycenopsis (Fr.) Quél. Cap 0.5–2cm across, hemispherical then broadly bell-shaped; bright ochre-brown and distinctly striate when moist, drying pale yellow. Stem 30–60×1–2mm; ochraceous, with white, silky fibres when young. Flesh yellowish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; yellowish, paler than cap. Spores 9–13×5–6.5μ, elliptical, smooth. Spore print ochraceous. Habitat amongst moss; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility. Note the name G. pumila is probably correct, but in the past this name was wrongly applied to another Galerina.

Galerina viscidula

P.D. Orton Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, conico-convex, becoming expanded and often umbonate; ochraceous-tan and striate when moist, drying yellow from centre. Stem 10–25×1–2mm; ochraceous; covered below in white, silky fibrils. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste and smell mealy. Gills adnate; pale yellow at first, then rusty-ochre. Spores 10–13×5–6μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rust. Basidia 2-spored. Cheilocystidia skittle-shaped. Habitat in pine woods, often amongst moss; summer to autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility. Note in my first book this picture was named G. cinctula Orton; G. viscidula had not been described at that time.

Galerina phillipsii

D.A. Reid Cap 1–3cmm across, conico-convex then expanded and acutely umbonate; hygrophanous, dark olive-brown when moist, drying rusty brown and striate. Stem 20–40×2–3mm; concolorous with cap except for the paler apex. Flesh concolorous with cap and stem; smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed to notched; olive-brown to rust. Spores 9–12×4.5–5(6)μ, almond-shaped, ornamented. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia 30–50×5–8μ, thin-walled, subcylindrical to bottle-shaped, sometimes swollen to 10μ at the base. Habitat amongst moss on marshy fire sites; late spring. Very rare. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Ochre Aldercap Naucoria escharioides

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.7–4cm across, convex then flat; pale yellowish-buff when moist, drying even paler, not striate; minutely fibrillose. Stem 15–40×1–4mm; concolorous with cap, more yellowish towards apex. Flesh brown to buff; thin; taste radishy or sometimes bitter, smell sweet. Gills adnexed; ochraceous to ochre-brown. Spores (9)10–13×5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, with swollen base and long narrow neck with acute apex, densely crowded. Habitat in damp ground with alders; autumn. Frequent with alders. Not edible.

Naucoria subconspersa

P.D. Orton Cap 0.5–3cm across; umber to date-brown, drying pale ochraceous-tan, striate near the margin when moist. Stem 30–50×2–5mm; concolorous with cap, darkening towards the base; slightly white silky fibrillose. Flesh brown to tan; taste mild, smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; brownish to tan. Spores (9)10–14×5–6.5μ, almond-shaped, rough. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, with swollen base and narrow neck, terminating in acute apex. Habitat with alders; autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note in my first book this picture was named N. scolecina (Fr.) Quél., but Reid (1984) has now assigned all but one of the collections under that name to N. subconspersa.

Naucoria bohemica

Velen. syn. Alnicola bohemica (Velen.) Kühner & Maire Cap 1–4cm across, convex; date-brown or deep reddish-brown, drying paler tan, faintly striate near the margin. Stem 30–70×2–5mm; white silky fibrillose, becoming tan from the base upwards. Flesh pale tan-buff; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnexed; pale tan. Spores 11–14×6.5–8μ, broadly lemon-shaped, rough. Spore print brown. Basidia 2spored. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, narrowly cylindrical to somewhat flexuose, often slightly enlarged at the obtuse apex. Cap cuticle cellular but covered by a layer of filamentous hyphae. Habitat with willows and alders; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Simocybe sumptuosa

(P.D. Orton) Singer Cap 4–25mm across, shallowly convex; tan-brown, usually with an olivaceous tinge; velvety pruinose under a lens. Stem 6–30×1–3mm; light olivebrown. Flesh olive-brown; smell acidic. Gills adnexed; pale tan-buff, often tinged olivaceous. Spores 6.5–10×4–5.5μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia and dermatocystidia rather elongated cylindrical-flexuose, often with a swollen apex 6–14μ wide. Habitat on deciduous stumps or logs; autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note in my first book this picture was named Naucoria centunculus (Fr.) P.D. Kumm., but Reid (1984) has reassigned the collection to S. sumptuosa.

NAUCORIA The common name for these small mushrooms, normally found in association with alder or willow trees in swamps, is Aldercap. The gills are fawn to rust-brown.

Flammulaster granulosus

(J.E. Lange) Watling syn. Flocculina granulosa (J.E. Lange) P.D. Orton Cap 5– 15mm across, convex; ochre- to reddish-brown, drying buff; granular-floccose to minutely papillate-scaly. Stem 10–20×1–2mm; apex ochre, more brown below; fibrillose-tomentose and floccose-scaly. Flesh concolorous. Gills ochre-brown. Spores 8–9.5×4.5–5μ, almond-shaped. Spore print rusty brown. Cheilocystidia cylindrical-flexuose. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Scurfy Twiglet Tubaria furfuracea

(Pers.) Gillet Cap 1–4cm across, convex at first, becoming flattened or centrally depressed; cinnamon to tan and striate from margin inwards when moist, drying pale buff and slightly scurfy. Stem 20–50×2–4mm; more or less concolorous with the cap; base covered in white down. Flesh concolorous; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills broad, distant, adnate to slightly decurrent; cinnamon. Spores 7–9×4.5–5μ, elliptical with rounded apex. Spore print pale ochre. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, cylindrical to clavate, hyaline. Habitat on twigs and woody debris; all year, usually autumn to early winter. Very common. Not edible.

Tubaria dispersa

(Pers.) Singer syn. T. autochthona (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. Cap 0.5–2cm across, convex, then flattened, later centrally depressed; ochre-buff, margin striate; minutely felty. Stem 15–30×1–2mm, thickened upwards and often wavy; whitish. Flesh whitish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pale lemon, becoming tinged ochraceous. Spores 4.5–7.5×2.5–5μ, elliptical, very minutely roughened. Spore print ochraceous. Habitat with hawthorn; summer to autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Snakeskin Brownie Hypholoma marginatum

(Pers.) J. Schröt. in Cohn Cap 1.5–4cm across, bell-shaped; dull tan, margin paler buff. Stem 30–70×2–5mm; brownish, covered in white, silky fibres producing a silvery effect, becoming brownish on handling. Flesh whitish in cap, becoming brownish towards the stem base; taste very bitter, smell mushroomy. Gills pale yellowish when young, soon olivaceous-brown. Spores 7–9.5×4–5μ, elliptical with a distinct pore. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, hair-like or bottleshaped, hyaline; pleurocystidia clavate with long, beak-like apex. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Peat Brownie Hypholoma udum

(Pers.) Kühner Cap 1–2cm across, convex to bell-shaped, becoming expanded; dull ochre, flushed tan towards the centre, drying paler ochre; slightly viscid. Stem 30– 100×2–3mm; pale yellowish at apex, becoming dark reddish-brown. Flesh bright ochre; smell mushroomy. Gills pale olivaceous at first, later dark brown. Spores 13– 15×6–6.5μ, elliptical to fusiform, slightly ornamented. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, hair-like, hyaline; pleurocystidia clavate with beak-like apex. Habitat in peaty, boggy ground; autumn. Occasional, more frequent in the north. Unknown edibility.

Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare

(Huds.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–7cm across, convex or slightly umbonate, remains of pale yellow veil often adhering to margin; bright sulphur-yellow, tinged orange-tan towards the centre. Stem 40–100×5–10mm, often curved; sulphur-yellow at the apex, becoming dirty brownish towards the base, with a faint ring zone, often made more obvious by trapped purple-brown spores. Flesh sulphur-yellow, more brownish towards the stem base; taste very bitter, smell mushroomy. Gills sulphur-yellow,

becoming olivaceous, finally dark brown. Spores 6–7×4–4.5μ, oval, with pore. Spore print purplish-brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, cylindrical, hair-like; pleurocystidia broadly clavate with beak-like apex. Habitat in dense clusters on stumps of deciduous and coniferous trees; all year. Very common. Not edible.

HYPHOLOMA The common name for these is Brownie, and the spore print is dark brown.

Brick Tuft Hypholoma lateritium

(Schaeff.) P. Kumm. syn. H. sublateritium (Fr.) Quél. Cap 3–10cm across, convex; brick-red to reddish-brown at centre, on ochraceous ground; often with fibrillose remnants of veil towards margin. Stem 50–180×5–12mm; pale yellow near the apex, becoming ochre-brown towards the base, and with a cortinal zone near the apex. Flesh pale yellowish, reddish-brown towards stem base; taste bitter, smell mushroomy. Gills pale yellowish-becoming olive-brown. Spores 6–7×3–4.5μ, elliptical with an indistinct pore. Spore print purplish-brown. Cheilocystidia thinwalled, hair-like; pleurocystidia clavate, with beak-like apex. Habitat on stumps of deciduous trees; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Sphagnum Brownie Hypholoma elongatum

(Pers.) Ricken Cap 1–2cm across, convex to bell-shaped then flattened; pale honeyyellow to olivaceous when moist, drying ochre-buff. Stem 50–100×1–3mm, elongated; concolorous with cap, paler at apex; base covered in white down. Flesh whitish-yellow; thin; taste and smell mushroomy. Gills pallid then pinkish. Spores 9.5–11.5×6–6.5μ, elliptical with pore. Spore print dark brown. Habitat usually amongst sphagnum and polytrichum moss, also on bare peat; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Conifer Tuft Hypholoma capnoides

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 2–6cm across, convex with an indistinct umbo; pale ochraceous, flushed tan in the centre, margin buff. Stem 40–100×5–10mm; ochraceous-buff, flushed tan from base up, with white cortinal zone. Flesh yellowish; taste sweetish, smell not distinctive. Gills whitish at first then greyish-lilac. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, elliptical-ovate with a distinct pore. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia thinwalled, cylindrical, hair-like; pleurocystidia broadly clavate with beak-like apex. Habitat conifer stumps; spring to late autumn. Uncommon. Said to be edible.

Olive Brownie Hypholoma myosotis

(Fr.) M. Lange syn. Pholiota myosotis (Fr.) Singer Cap 1.5–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened or irregularly wavy; olive-brown; smooth, viscid. Stem 70– 110×2–5mm, elongated and rooting; dirty yellowish at apex, concolorous with cap below; fragile, becoming hollow. Flesh whitish with yellow tinge; smell slightly mealy. Gills dingy clay to olive-brown with a paler edge. Spores 14.5–19×7–9μ, almond-shaped, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, bottleshaped, hyaline; pleurocystidia clavate with mucronate apex, staining deeply aniline blue in lactic acid. Habitat in moist, peaty ground, usually in sphagnum; autumn. Occasional, more common in the north. Unknown edibility.

Bolbitius reticulatus

(Pers.) Ricken syn. Pluteolus aleuriatus (Fr.) P. Karst. Cap 1.5–4cm across, flattened convex; lilaceous-grey, striate; viscid. Stem 25–40×2–3mm, often swollen at base; white. Flesh whitish; thin. Gills whitish at first then pink, finally cinnamon. Spores 9–10.5×4–5μ, narrowly elliptical. Spore print rust. Habitat on rotting sawdust, branches, and stumps of deciduous trees; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Yellow Fieldcap Bolbitius titubans

(Bull.) Fr. syn. B. vitellinus (Pers.) Fr. Cap 1–4cm across, acorn-shaped then bellshaped, finally expanding to almost flat; chrome-yellow at first, fading to grey-brown at the margin; , very thin and almost transparent, somewhat viscid when young, drying shiny with age, deeply grooved at the margin. Stem 30–100×2–4mm; whitish-yellow, with a fine, mealy powdering, base downy; very delicate, hollow. Flesh thin and membranous above the gills. Gills crowded; pale yellow at first, later cinnamon or rusty. Spores 11–15×6–9μ, elliptical, smooth. Spore print rust-brown. Habitat on rotting straw, manured grassland, or wood chips; summer to late autumn. Very common. Not edible.

Bearded Seamine Ripartites tricholoma

(Alb. & Schwein.) P. Karst. Cap 2–5cm across, convex, becoming flat then sunken in the centre, with an incurved margin becoming radially lined with long, coarse hairs; white; tacky to dry, with appressed, silky hairs. Stem 25–50×3mm; whitish to dingy ochre-brown; faint bloom to suede-like, fragile, hollow. Flesh very soft; pallid; taste mild, smell slight, not mealy. Gills adnate, close, broad; white, becoming dull pinkishcinnamon. Spores 4–5×3.5–4μ, ovate to subglobose, warted. Spore print pale brown. Habitat on humus or very decayed wood in forests. Uncommon on Red Data List; late summer to autumn. Unknown edibility.

AGARICUS The common name is Wood Mushroom or simply Mushroom, and the shop and field mushrooms are members of this genus. Many species discolour either yellowish or distinctly red or pinkish when bruised or cut. The young gills are pink or, in some species, white at first. Some species have an aniseed smell. Most are edible, but those bruising bright yellow should be carefully checked. The species that are known to cause severe stomach upsets normally show a distinct yellow colour change at the base of the stem on cutting, but the specimens will need to be very fresh for you to observe this.

Typical Agaricus mushrooms

Blushing Wood Mushroom Agaricus silvaticus

Schaeff. syn. A. haemorrhoidarius Schulzer Cap 5–10cm across, convex; covered in ochre to brown fibrils, breaking up into small, adpressed scales. Stem 50–80×10– 12mm; whitish, sometimes with brownish, fibrous scales below the dirty brown ring. Flesh white, reddening on cutting when fresh, later turning brownish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pale at first then reddish, later dark brown. Spores 4.5–6×3– 3.5μ, ovate. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, clavate. Habitat in mixed woods; summer to autumn. Common. Edible good.

Scaly Wood Mushroom Agaricus langei

(F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller Cap 4–12cm across, convex; densely covered in fine, rustbrown, fibrous scales. Stem 30–120×15–30mm; whitish with pink tinge; slightly mealy beneath the white, pendulous ring. Flesh white, gradually becoming bright red on cutting; taste and smell pleasant and mushroomy. Gills free; pale fawn-pink at first, becoming darker with age. Spores 7–9×3.5–5μ, elliptical. Spore print purplebrown. Cheilocystidia numerous, 20–50×10–30μ, tufted, ovate to broadly-clavate, thin-walled, hyaline or brownish. Habitat in coniferous or mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible good.

Agaricus subperonatus

(J.E. Lange) Singer Cap 5–12cm across, convex at first, expanding flattish; densely covered with tiny, tawny brown scales on an ochraceous ground. Stem 60–90×12– 25mm, cylindrical; whitish, bruising tawny; membranous ring, basal volva often showing as one or two zones. Flesh white, discolouring immediately brownvinaceous; taste and smell fruity then unpleasant, like chicory. Gills free; dingy-pink for a long time, at length blackish-brown. Spores 5–8×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Habitat in gardens, rubbish dumps, and grassy woods; summer to autumn. Rare, possibly under-recorded. Edible with caution; causes stomach upsets in some people, so eat only a small amount at first.

Clustered Mushroom Agaricus pseudovillaticus

Rauschert syn. A. vaporarius (Pers.) Capelli Cap 10–15cm across, subglobose at first, expanding to flattened convex; dirty brown, soon breaking up into large scales. Stem 60–120×25–50mm, tapering at base, which is deeply buried; white and smooth, initially with brown, fibrous scales; ring thick, white, pendulous. Flesh white, reddening only slightly on cutting; taste nutty, smell mushroomy. Gills free; pale pink at first, later chocolate-brown. Spores 6–7×4.5–6μ, subglobose. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia numerous, 18–28×4–10μ, clavate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in gardens and deciduous woods, often developing below ground, pushing up through the soil as it expands; autumn. Rare. Edible. Note some mycologists consider this fungus to be a form of A. subperonatus (above).

Agaricus bernardii

Quél. syn. A. campestris subsp. bernardii (Quél.) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 1–15cm across, hemispherical, then flattened convex and often depressed; whitish to light brown, bruising reddish on handling; surface soon disrupting into coarse, brownish scales. Stem 50–70×20–40mm, narrowing slightly at the greyish-brown base; whitish; ring narrow, sheathing, whitish. Flesh white, becoming reddish-orange on cutting; taste slightly unpleasant, smell fishy. Gills free; pale grey then flesh-coloured, later dark brown. Spores 5.5–7×5–5.5μ, broadly ovate. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia elongate, cylindrical, clavate, or fusiform, thin-walled. Habitat on sand dunes and meadows near the sea, also on roadsides inland, possibly due to the practice of salting the roads in icy weather; autumn. Uncommon. Edible but poorly flavoured.

Lilac Mushroom Agaricus porphyrizon

P.D. Orton Cap 4–10cm across, convex; whitish with purplish-lilac, adpressed scales and fibrils, darker at centre, bruising dull yellow; smooth. Stem 50–100×12–20mm, clavate; white, staining yellow when touched; smooth; ring membranous, thin, simple. Flesh white, staining yellowish in stem, especially at base; taste and smell pleasant, of almonds. Gills free, crowded; white to pinkish, then brown. Spores 4.5–5.6×3.2–3.8μ, ovate. Spore print deep brown. Habitat in mixed woodlands, mostly with conifers; early autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Agaricus porphyrocephalus

F.H. Møller Cap 3–8cm across, hemispherical to flat; brown, with darker radiating fibrils. Stem 30–40×10–20mm, slightly tapering towards the base or sometimes slightly swollen and bulbous; white; ring thin and white. Flesh white to pale fleshcoloured; taste and smell mushroomy. Gills free; pink at first, later chocolate-brown. Spores 5–7×3–4.5μ. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia absent. Habitat in lawns or pastures; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Agaricus devoniensis

P.D. Orton Cap 3–15cm across, convex to flattened-convex; whitish, tinted pinkish or violaceous; silky. Stem 30–40×10–15mm; white, bruising reddish, covered in scaly remnants of the veil; ring sheathing, white, and short-lived. Flesh white, tinted pink above the gills and in the lower stem; taste and smell mushroomy but not distinctive. Gills free; greyish-pink, darkening with age. Spores 6.5–7×5–5.5μ, subglobose. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia 36–50×10–13μ, tufted, clavate, thin-walled, hyaline or brownish. Habitat on sand dunes, only noticeable after the expanded cap has pushed up through the sand; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Edible.

Field Mushroom Agaricus campestris

L. Cap 3–10cm across, domed and remaining so a long time before expanding fully; white, sometimes creamy yellow; scaly or smooth. Stem 30–100×10–20mm, with a tapered base; white, sometimes yellowing slightly towards the base; ring thin and white, short-lived, often little more than a torn frill. Flesh white, bruising faintly pink, especially above the gills; taste and smell pleasant and mushroomy. Gills free; deep pink even in unopened ‘buttons’, finally darkening to brown. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, ovate. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia absent. Habitat in pasture; late summer to autumn. Very common. Edible excellent.

Agaricus dulcidulus

Schulzer, Kalchbrenner Cap 2–5cm across, obtusely ovate, expanding flattenedconvex; white at first, soon covered in small, lilaceous scales at the centre, with vinaceous fibres radiating out towards the white margin, finally yellowing to a dirty brownish. Stem 30–60×4–8mm, with a bulbous base; white but yellowing at base; ring double, pendulous. Flesh white, staining yellow in stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills free; very pale at first then pinkish, finally grey-brown. Spores 4.5– 5×2.5–3μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia numerous, 12–26×4–14μ, ovate to broadly clavate, thin-walled, hyaline or brownish. Habitat in clearings and on the edges of deciduous and coniferous woods; summer to autumn. Rare. Poisonous to some people; best avoided. Note in my first book I published this mushroom as A. semotus, as did many mycologists; the correct name is now A. dulcidulus.

Agaricus urinascens var. excellens

(F.H. Møller) Nauta syn. A. excellans (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller Cap 10–15cm across, convex; white, yellowing slightly at the centre, especially with age; silky, densely covered in minute, fibrous scales of the base colour. Stem 100–140×20– 35mm; white; ring thick and white, the underside scaly. Flesh white, becoming more or less pink on cutting; thick; taste sweet and mushroomy, smell slight, of aniseed. Gills pale grey-pink. Spores 9–12×5–7μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia 10–38×5–16μ, globose or ovate to broadly clavate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat amongst grass in open woodland, especially with spruce; autumn. Rare. Edible.

Agaricus bresadolanus

Bohus Cap 5–10cm across, convex at first, becoming expanded and slightly depressed at the centre, margin finally wavy; whitish to buff, covered in buff to greybrown fibrils, more densely so towards the centre. Stem 30–70×8–16mm, slightly swollen towards the rooting base; white, flushed yellowish-buff, especially at the base; ring narrow, white, and short-lived, leaving an indistinct ring zone in older specimens. Flesh whitish, bruising faintly brown beneath the cap cuticle; taste and smell slight and pleasant. Gills crowded, pale pink at first, finally becoming blackishbrown. Spores 6–7×4–4.5μ, elliptical to ovate. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia absent. Habitat amongst grass in open deciduous woodland or gardens; summer. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Agaricus urinascens

(F.H. Møller & Jul. Schäff.) Singer syn. A. macrosporus (F.H. Møller & Jul. Schäff.) Pilát Cap 8–30cm across, convex, margin becoming toothed with age; whitish, splitting into large ochraceous scales or patches. Stem 50–100×25–35mm, often with a fusiform rooting base; whitish-cream, covered in easily removable floccules; ring thick, scaly on the underside. Flesh whitish, sometimes reddening in stem on cutting; firm; taste mushroomy, smell faint, of crushed almonds when young, rapidly more ammoniacal. Gills free; whitish-grey at first, finally dark brown. Spores 8–12×5.5– 6.5μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia numerous, 8–31×6–16μ, ovate. Habitat in rings in pasture; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible good. Note the name A. macrosporus was illegitimate.

The Prince Agaricus augustus

Fr. Cap 10–20cm across, obtusely ovate at first, then expanding convex; yellowishbrown, covered in chestnut-brown, fibrous scales. Stem 100–200×20–40mm; whitish, bruising yellowish, with small scales below the ring which discolour brownish with age; ring white, large, and pendulous. Flesh white, becoming tinged reddish with age; thick; taste mushroomy, smell strongly of bitter almonds. Gills free; white at first then brown. Spores elliptical, 7–10×4.5–5.5μ. Spore print purple-brown. Cheilocystidia formed of chains of bladder-shaped elements. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible good.

Agaricus altipes

(F.H. Møller) Pilát Cap 4–7cm across, convex to broadly flattened; white to faintly buff on disc; smooth to slightly tomentose-floccose. Stem 80–100×12–20mm, equal to slightly clavate; white, bruising faintly pinkish-buff colour; fibrillose below; ring high on stem, white, thin, fragile, simple. Flesh white, bruising flesh-colour; firm; taste and smell mild. Gills free, crowded; bright rosy pink when young, brown when old. Spores 6.5–7.5×4.5–5.5μ, ovate. Spore print deep chocolate-brown. Habitat in grass in mixed woods, mostly with conifers; early autumn. Very rare. Edible. Note this collection agreed with the original description very well except for lacking a disagreeable smell; this may have been missed if the flesh was not bruised or if the specimens were too young.

Agaricus comtulus

Fr. Cap 2–4cm across, convex expanding flat; white to ochraceous-cream. Stem 30– 50×4–6mm; white or creamy, not bruising yellow; ring white and membranous. Flesh white, but yellowing slightly in the stem base; taste almondy, smell faintly of almonds or aniseed. Gills free; flesh-pink at first, darkening with age. Spores ovate, 4.5– 5.5×3–3.5μ. Spore print brown. Habitat in pastureland; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Agaricus phaeolepidotus

(F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller Cap 5–10cm across, convex at first, expanding flat, covered with small, reddish-brown scales on a cinnamon ground, more intense at the centre. Stem 60–90×10–15mm, often bent at the base, bulbous; whitish, marking brownish; ring large, membranous, floppy. Flesh white, discolouring faintly yellowish in the stem and dingy pink in the cap; taste and smell strong and unpleasant, like ink or iodine. Gills free; dull beige, at length blackish-brown. Spores 4.5–6×3–3.5μ, ovate. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia balloon-shaped. Habitat in deciduous woods, also reported from grassy dunes; summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Agaricus lanipes

(F.H. Møller & Jul. Schäff.) Singer Cap 5–10cm across, convex at first, then depressed at the centre and undulate; chocolate-brown; breaking up into broad, flattened scales, especially towards the margin. Stem 40–60×20–35mm, squat, narrowing at the apex, swollen towards the slightly bulbous base, which tapers into a whitish, root-like, mycelial strand 1–10mm thick; white above the ring, brownish and slightly scaly below, bruising rust; ring white on upper surface, brownish below. Flesh white, becoming reddish on cutting, especially at the stem apex, and orange at the base; taste sweet and mushroomy, smell mushroomy. Gills free, crowded; pale pink at first, later dark brown. Spores 5.5–6.5×3.5–4μ, elliptical. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia 16–28×8–14μ, tufted, clavate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in deciduous woods and manured fields; summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Edible delicious.

Pavement Mushroom Agaricus bitorquis

(Quél.) Sacc. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, soon flattened; white with faintly ochraceous flakes. Stem 30–60×15–20mm; white; two separate, sheathing rings, the lower thinner and resembling a volva. Flesh white, tinged faintly pink on cutting; taste mushroomy, smell pleasant. Gills free; dirty pink at first, soon clay, finally dark chocolate-brown. Spores 4–6.5×4–5μ, subglobose. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia thin-walled, clavate. Habitat in gardens and at roadsides, sometimes found growing through asphalt; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Edible good.

Agaricus osecanus

Pilát syn. A. nivescens (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller Cap 10–15cm across, convex at first expanding flat; pure white, marking a little yellow. Stem 80–90×20–40mm, variable; whitish, bruising slightly yellow; large, membranous ring. Flesh white, discolouring or bruising faintly yellowish; taste mushroomy, smell slight, of bitter almonds. Gills remaining light for a long time, then brown. Spores 5–6×4–4.5μ, rounded. Spore print brown. Habitat in meadows and pastures, sometimes under scrub; summer to autumn. Rare, but possibly under-recorded. Edible. Rather similar to A. arvensis (below), but without the aniseed smell.

Cultivated Mushroom Agaricus bisporus

(J.E. Lange) Imbach Cap 5–10cm across, hemispherical expanding convex; greyishbrown to umber, covered in brown radiating fibres; often slightly scaly with age. Stem 35–55×8–14mm; white; often flaky below the membranous, sheathing ring. Flesh white, bruising faintly red; taste and smell mushroomy. Gills free; dirty pinkish, darkening with age. Spores 4–7.5×4–5.5μ, ovate to subglobose. Spore print brown. Basidia 2-spored, separating this species from the rest of the genus, which all have 4spored basidia. Cheilocystidia 17–44×7–14μ, elongate-clavate, thin-walled. Habitat on manure heaps, garden waste, and roadsides, not in grass; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Edible. Note this species is believed to be the wild form of many of the cultivated crop varieties, all of which have 2-spored basidia.

Horse Mushroom Agaricus arvensis

Schaeff. Cap 8–20cm across, ovate at first, expanding convex; creamy white,

yellowing slightly with age or on bruising. Stem 80–100×20–30mm, often slightly clavate at the base; concolorous with the cap; tending to become hollow; ring formed of a double membrane, the lower splitting into a star shape around the stem. Flesh white; thick and firm in the cap, pithy in the stem; taste mushroomy, smell of aniseed. Gills free; white at first then flesh-pink, finally chocolate-brown with age. Spores 7– 8×4.5–5μ, elliptical. Spore print dark purple-brown. Cheilocystidia 11–26×9–18(21)μ, ovate balloon-shaped, thin-walled. Habitat amongst grass in pasture or thickets, often in rings; autumn. Common. Edible excellent. Note field photograph (d) taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Inky Mushroom Agaricus moelleri Wasser

Cap 5–9cm across, ovate at first, becoming expanded; whitish ground, bruising yellow, densely covered with tiny grey-brown scales, especially towards centre. Stem 60–90×10–12mm, bulbous; whitish, bruising yellow; initially covered in conspicuous flakes below the large membranous ring. Flesh white, discolouring faintly yellowish and later pale brown; taste and smell strong and unpleasant. Gills free; remaining light pink for a long time, at length blackish-brown. Spores 4–6×3–4μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia globose or pear-shaped, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in woods; summer. Occasional. Poisonous. Note in my first book I used the name that this fungus was then known by, Agaricus placomyces Peck.

Agaricus gennadii

(Chatin & Boud.) P.D. Orton Cap 4–8cm across, convex with an inrolled margin; white to pale ochre, marking slightly pink then brown; smooth or finely scaly, margin appendiculate. Stem 40–60×8–12mm, stubby, cylindrical; whitish, staining a little pink or brownish; initially with a slight ring, in addition to the thick, distinct volva. Flesh white, discolouring faintly pinkish and later pale brown; hard; taste and smell strong and unpleasant. Gills free; pinkish-grey, at length dark brown. Spores 8–10×5– 7μ, elliptical. Spore print brown. Habitat in conifer woods, on grass verges, and in cemeteries, often with exotic conifers or eucalyptus, usually on sandy soil, in warm areas; summer to autumn. Very rare. Said to be edible but with caution.

Yellow Stainer Agaricus xanthodermus

Genev. Cap 5–15cm across, subspherical with the top flattened, later becoming expanded convex; white at first, later often with tiny, indistinct, greyish-brown scales, bruising bright chrome-yellow, especially towards the margin. Stem 50–150×10– 20mm, bulbous at the base; white; ring white, with a thickened edge, which can cause it to appear double. Flesh white, staining chrome-yellow in the stem base; taste slightly unpleasant, smell slightly of ink. Gills white at first, becoming pale pink, finally grey-brown. Spores 5–6.5×3–4μ, elliptical. Spore print purple-brown. Cheilocystidia 10–20×8–14μ, subglobose or ovate, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in woods, meadows, and gardens; summer to autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Poisonous with symptoms of sweating, flushing, and severe stomach cramps, but only some people are affected.

Agaricus pilatianus

Bohus syn. A. xanthodermus var. pilatianus Bohus Cap 6–12cm across, obtusely convex; white at first, becoming smoky- or greyish-brown, bruising yellow when young. Stem 40–80×15–30mm, cylindrical, slightly clavate or tapering at the base; white, becoming tinged ochraceous to brownish; ring white, double. Flesh white, staining yellow in the stem base; taste strong and unpleasant, smell unpleasant, strongly phenolic. Gills free; white at first then pink, finally chocolate-brown. Spores 5.5–6.5×4.3–5.3μ, broadly ovate. Spore print brown. Cheilocystidia 22–30×11–13.5μ, clavate to broadly clavate. Habitat in short grass in gardens or on lawns; autumn. Rare in mainland Europe, with no authenticated recording for Britain. Poisonous causing severe stomach cramps.

Wood Mushroom Agaricus silvicola

(Vittad.) Peck Cap 5–10cm across, convex; cream, readily bruising ochraceous, becoming more yellow with age. Stem 50–80×10–15mm, base usually bulbous; concolorous with the cap; ring large and pendulous, upper surface white, lower drab. Flesh white; thin; taste mushroomy, smell of aniseed. Gills free; pale greyish-pink at first, later chocolate-brown. Spores 5–6×3–4μ, elliptical. Spore print purple-brown. Cheilocystidia numerous, 10–20×7–20μ, oval to subglobose, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Edible good. Note in the past the name A. abruptibulbus has been misapplied to this species by many European authors.

AGROCYBE The common name is Fieldcap, although one species grows on wood. The spore print is tobacco-brown.

Dark Fieldcap Agrocybe erebia

(Fr.) Singer syn. Pholiota erebia (Fr.) Gillet Cap 3–6cm across, convex, becoming flattened with a broad umbo, the margin wavy in older specimens; dull clay-brown when dry, darker and slightly viscid when moist. Stem 60–80×8–12mm; whitish at first, gradually darkening brown from base upwards; ring whitish, grooved. Flesh pale brownish. Gills pale at first then dark umber-brown. Spores 10–13×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print very dark brown. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat on bare soil or in leaf litter in deciduous woods; autumn. Frequent. Not edible easily confused with poisonous species. Note my specimens are rather light in colour, they should be chocolatebrown.

Spring Fieldcap Agrocybe praecox

(Pers.) Fayod Cap 3–6cm across, convex; ochraceous-cream or light tan, drying almost whitish, with darker margin. Stem 40–60×4–8mm; cream; with ring. Flesh whitish-cream, becoming brown in stem with age; smell mealy. Gills adnate; pale reddish-brown at first, darkening with age. Spores 9–10×5–5.5μ, ovate-elliptical. Spore print cigar-brown. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat amongst grass, usually in shady places such as copses; late spring to late autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Agrocybe molesta

(Lasch) Singer Cap 3–7cm across, convex, expanding to almost flat; ivory white to yellowish-cream. Stem 50–80×3–7mm; whitish; cottony ring near apex. Flesh whitish; thick, firm; taste slightly bitter, smell mushroomy. Gills adnate; pale at first, then darker clay. Spores 12–13×6–7.5μ, ovate-elliptical. Spore print light cigarbrown. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat singly, in grass at roadsides or in meadows; spring to summer. Occasional. Edible but poor. Note in my first book I listed this fungus as A. dura.

Common Fieldcap Agrocybe pediades

(Fr.) Fayod syn. A. semiorbicularis (Bull. ex St. Amans). Cap 1–2cm across, hemispherical to flattened convex; ochraceous to tan. Stem 25–40×2–3mm; pallid, flushed with cap colour. Flesh ochraceous, darkening to tan towards stem base, smell mealy. Gills adnate, very broad; pale ochraceous at first, gradually becoming dark cinnamon with age. Spores 9–13×6.6–7.5μ, ovate. Spore print cigar-brown. Habitat in grass on lawns, roadsides, and sand dunes; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible. Note the new British checklist (2005) has followed Nauta (1987) in recognising only a single, rather variable species.

Poplar Fieldcap Agrocybe cylindracea

(D.C.) Maire Cap 4–10cm across, hemispherical-convex at first, becoming flattened and sometimes cracked at centre, and often wavy near the margin; pale buff to almost white with rust flush at centre when young, becoming darker brown with age. Stem 50–100×10–15mm; cream at first, becoming darker brown with age; persistent ring soon becomes dusted brown by the spores. Flesh white in the cap and stem, brown in the stem base; taste nutty, smell of old wine casks. Gills adnate or slightly decurrent; cream at first then turning tobacco-brown due to the spores. Spores 8.5–10.5×5–6μ, ovate-elliptical. Spore print tobacco-brown. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat in tufts, especially with willows and poplars; all year round. Occasional. Edible.

Agrocybe paludosa

(J.E. Lange) Kühner & Romagn. Cap 1.5–3cm across, convex then flattened with broad umbo; dirty cream to pale tan, especially at centre. Stem 40–70×2–3mm; cream, flushed with cap colour; rather broad and fragile ring near apex. Flesh whitish in cap, brownish in stem; thin; smell of meal. Gills adnate; pale at first, then darker brown. Spores 9–10×5–5.5μ, ovate-elliptical. Spore print light cigar-brown. Cap cuticle cellular. Habitat in marshy meadows; late spring to summer. Uncommon. Not edible.

STROPHARIA The common name for these is Roundhead. The spore print is dark purplish-brown.

Verdigris Agaric Stropharia aeruginosa

Verdigris Agaric Stropharia aeruginosa

(Curtis) Quél. Cap 2–8cm across, convex to bell-shaped then flattened and slightly umbonate; blue to blue-green from the gluten and flecked with white scales, becoming pale yellowish as this is lost. Stem 40–100×4–12mm; whitish to blue; apex smooth, covered in small, whitish scales below the spreading, membranous ring. Flesh whitish-blue; smell none. Gills white, then clay-brown, often with a white edge. Spores 7–10×5μ, elliptical. Spore print brownish-purple. Cheilocystidia obtuse, clavate-capitate or lageniform-capitate; chrysocystidia found on gill face, only rarely on gill edge, lanceolate. Habitat in woods, heaths and pastures; late spring to late autumn. Common. Poisonous.

Blue Roundhead Stropharia caerulea

Kreisel Cap 3–8cm across, convex then obtuse-umbonate; bluish-green to yellowgreen, soon discoloured to pale straw-yellow with only a hint of green; viscid, with fine, evanescent, white veil flakes at margin. Stem 40–100×3–12mm; coloured as cap; fugacious ring zone. Flesh pale blue-green; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills emarginate; pale vinaceous-buff to tobacco-brown when old. Spores 7–9×4.5–5μ, elliptical. Spore print umberbrown. Habitat in grass and leaf litter; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note this species has long been confused with Stropharia aeruginosa (above), which has a stronger blue-green colour, a copious white veil, and white, then darker purple-brown gills with white edges. I published it mistakenly in my first book as Stropharia aeruginosa.

Redlead Roundhead Stropharia aurantiaca

(Cooke) M. Imai Cap 1.5–5.5cm across, convex then expanded; orange-red with paler patches when dry, viscid when moist; margin often with whitish velar remnants. Stem 20–100×2–10mm, slightly thickened at base; whitish, becoming streaked ochraceous or orange-red below. Flesh pale buff to concolorous. Gills whitish at first then olivaceous-clay. Spores 11–13×6–7.5μ, elliptical. Spore print dark purplish-brown. Cheilocystidia variable in shape, mostly thin-walled and lageniform, often with flexuous necks, sometimes irregularly cylindrical or clavate with a swollen or even capitate apex. Pleurocystidia lanceolate with a sharp-pointed apex, thin-walled, with yellowish contents. Habitat on rotting sawdust, usually in parks or gardens; autumn. Occasional; it used to be a rare mushroom but is now quite common in bark mulch. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Stropharia albonitens

(Fr.) P. Karst. Cap 2–6cm across, convex, often umbonate; white to cream, yellowish at the centre; smooth, viscid. Stem 40–80×3–5mm; white, yellow-floccose below the apical ring zone. Flesh white; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills sinuate; pale violet-grey-brown. Spores 8–9×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print purple-black. Habitat in grassy meadows; summer to autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Conifer Roundhead Stropharia hornemannii

(Fr.) S. Lundell & Nannf. Cap 6–15cm across, broadly convex, umbonate; dull reddish-brown or purple-brown; white veil remnants at margin, very viscid when wet. Stem 60–120×10–20mm; white; strongly fibrillose-scaly below the prominent ring. Flesh white; taste and smell a little unpleasant. Gills adnate, crowded; pallid then purple-brown. Spores 10–14×5.5–7μ, elliptical, with germ pore. Spore print purplebrown. Habitat on rotting conifer logs; late summer to autumn. Very rare, common in Scandinavia, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Stropharia squamosa

(Pers.) Quél. Cap 3–5cm across, convex-campanulate; dull yellow-ochre to tawny, with paler, faint scales at margin; viscid. Stem 60–120×3–10mm, long, rigid; brownish; scaly below the small ring. Flesh whitish; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, crowded; pallid then purple-brown. Spores 12–14×6–7.5μ, elliptical, with pore at tip. Spore print purple-brown. Habitat on decayed wood chips in mixed woodlands and flower beds; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Garland Roundhead Stropharia coronilla

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 2–4cm across, convex then flattened; light yellow; slightly viscid or greasy. Stem 25–40×6–8mm, tapering towards base; white; ring white, but often accentuated by trapped deposit of dark spores. Flesh white; thick. Gills white then clay-brown. Spores 7–9×4–6μ, elliptical, with indistinct pore. Spore print purplebrown. Pleurocystidia broadly lanceolate with acutely pointed apex, staining deeply aniline blue in lactic acid. Habitat lawns and pasture; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Dung Roundhead Stropharia semiglobata

(Batsch) Quél. Cap 1–3cm across, hemispherical; light yellow; viscid. Stem 60– 100×2–3mm; yellowish, apex paler; viscid below the ring; ring incomplete, often represented by zone of blackish fibrils. Flesh pallid; thin. Gills purplish-brown, becoming black-spotted. Spores 15–17×9–10μ, elliptical. Spore print dark purplishbrown. Habitat on dung; spring to late autumn. Very common. Not edible.

Stropharia rugosoannulata

Murrill Cap 5–20cm across, convex-flattened to umbonate; deep purplish-red to dull brown or even greyish or white with age; smooth, not viscid. Stem 100–180×10– 25mm, equal to clavate; white; smooth; ring large, prominent, white, very thick, deeply wrinkled or segmented below. Flesh white; firm; taste and smell pleasant. Gills adnate, crowded; pallid then grey, finally purple-brown. Spores 10–13×7.5–9μ, elliptical, with germ pore. Spore print purple-brown. Habitat on wood chips and bark mulch and around flower beds; summer to autumn. Rare. Edible delicious. Note an American species probably introduced here.

Psilocybe inquilinus

(Fr.) Bres. syn. Deconica muscorum P.D. Orton Cap 0.5–2cm across, hemispherical to broadly convex; chestnut-brown, drying ochraceous; covered with a detachable viscid layer. Stem 15–30×2–3mm; paler than the cap; covered in cottony, white fibres. Flesh concolorous; taste and smell none. Gills broad; whitish at first, later tan to umber. Spores 7–9×5–6μ, almond-shaped. Spore print violaceous-brown. Habitat amongst moss or lichens; spring. Occasional. Not edible.

Psilocybe crobula

(Fr.) Singer Cap 0.5–1cm across, convex then flattened; pallid-brown, the margin faintly or not at all striate; with small, adpressed, whitish scales from the veil at first, persisting at margin; detachable viscid layer. Stem 5–12×1mm; concolorous with cap or darker; whitish; shaggy with fibrous scales. Flesh pallid. Gills pallid clay, becoming dull rust. Spores 6–7.5×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical to lens-shaped. Spore print cigar-brown. Habitat on twigs, grass stems and other herbaceous debris; autumn. Uncommon. Hallucinogenic.

Psilocybe coprophila

(Bull.) P. Kumm. syn. Deconica coprophila (Bull.) P. Karst. Cap 0.5–2.5cm across, hemispherical to broadly bell-shaped, often with an umbo; tan to reddish-pallid; covered with a detachable viscid layer. Stem 25–40×1–3mm; pallid flushed with cap colour; covered in fine, cottony tufts below. Flesh concolorous; thin; taste mealy. Gills crowded, broad; pale grey-brown, darkening with age. Spores 12–14×6.5–8μ, lemon-shaped. Spore print violaceous. Habitat on dung; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Liberty Cap or Magic Mushroom Psilocybe semilanceata

(Fr.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, elongate conical with a distinct sharply pointed umbo, puckered at margin; hygrophanous, yellowish-brown with olivaceous tinge, drying ochre-buff; covered with a detachable viscid layer. Stem 25–75×1– 2mm; white to cream, sometimes with a bluish tinge at base. Flesh cream to pallid. Gills pale clay at first, finally dark purple-brown. Spores 11.5–14.5×7–9μ, elliptical. Spore print dark purplish-brown. Habitat lawns, pasture and roadsides; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible hallucinogenic. Note the active substance, psilocybin, gives a euphoric trip with effects such as synaesthesia. Mushrooms are ingested fresh, dried, or powdered, but possession of all forms of this mushroom is now illegal in most countries, including Britain since 2005.

Psilocybe merdaria

(Fr.) Ricken syn. Stropharia merdaria (Fr.) Quel. Cap 2–5cm across, obtusely bellshaped then flattened convex; ochraceous, more cinnamon when moist; viscid. Stem 50–75×4–6mm; whitish, flushed straw-yellow; dry, base covered in white down. Flesh white, becoming brownish in stem when old; smell none. Gills adnate; pallid then purplish-brown. Spores 10–16×8–9μ, broadly elliptical and often somewhat angular, with germ-pore. Spore print brown-black. Cheilocystidia lageniform, thinwalled, hyaline. Habitat on horse dung; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Psilocybe atrobrunnea

(Lasch) Gillet Cap 1.5–5cm across, conic-campanulate or convex; dark reddishbrown, becoming blackish-brown with age, pale tan when dry, margin striate when moist; smooth, viscid. Stem 60–120×2–4mm, equal; covered with pale fibrils, becoming darker brown from the base up with age; flexuous, fibrous. Flesh pallid; thin; taste mealy, smell slight, mealy. Gills adnate, crowded, broad; pale cinnamonbuff, dark violaceous-brown when mature. Spores 9–12.5×5–7μ, elliptical, smooth. Spore print deep purple-brown. Habitat in groups in swamps and bogs, especially in Scandanavia, not authentically recorded in Britain; later summer to autumn. Not edible reported from Sweden to have some hallucinogenic action; all hallucinogenic mushrooms can be dangerous to eat.

Mountain Brownie Psilocybe montana

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.5–2.5cm across, convex to umbonate; deep reddish-brown, drying paler; smooth, slightly tacky. Stem 25–50×1.5mm; dark brown; smooth; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, distant; reddish-brown. Spores 5.5–8×4–5μ, elliptical, with germ pore at tip. Spore print purple-brown. Occasional, but common in Scandinavia. Habitat in moss in mountainous areas; summer to early autumn. Not edible although a member of a genus with many hallucinogenic mushrooms, this species is not known to be active.

Blueleg Brownie Psilocybe cyanescens

Wakef. Cap 2–4cm across, convex then expanded and irregularly wavy; hygrophanous, reddish-buff drying ochraceous-cream, developing blue-green tints when handled. Stem 25–50×5–8mm; white, bruising strongly blue to blue-green; cortinate ring forming indistinct ring zone. Flesh whitish, tinged bluish in places; smell mealy. Gills adnate; pale ochre-clay at first, becoming dark brown. Spores 9– 12×5–7μ, elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print dark purplish-brown. Chrysocystidia absent. Cheilocystidia lageniform, thin-walled. Habitat on rotting sawdust, bark mulch, and other herbaceous debris; late autumn to early winter. Uncommon, but spreading due to the increased use of woodchip mulch. Hallucinogenic said to be extremely strong.

Psathyrella pennata

(Fr.) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 1–2.5cm across, broadly bell-shaped; grey-brown to reddish-brown, becoming ochre; covered in whitish, cottony fibrils or scales, especially towards the margin. Stem 25–50×2–4mm; whitish. Flesh brownish in cap, whitish to ochraceous in stem; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills pallid to purplish-grey. Spores 8–9×4–4.5μ, pip-shaped. Spore print dark purplish-brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia acutely fusiform, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on fire sites; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Psathyrella obtusata

(Pers.) A.H. Sm. Cap 1–3cm across, hemispherical then flattened convex; dark datebrown when moist, drying pale ochre-buff, often with a tan flush at the centre. Stem 30–70×2–4mm; white; silky, fragile, hollow. Flesh whitish; thin. Gills adnate; pinkish-brown then chocolate-brown. Spores 7.5–10×4.5–5.5μ, oblong. Spore print dark brown. Cystidia obtusely fusoid, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in woods; spring to late autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Psathyrella pellucidipes

(Romagn.) M.M. Moser Cap 1–2cm across, convex to bell-haped; hygrophanous, dark tan drying light yellow-brown, striate. Stem 50–70×2–3mm, rooting; whitish to pale brown. Flesh brown in cap, paler in stem; thin. Gills broadly adnate; grey, edge white. Spores 11.5–13.5×6.5–7μ, elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in sandy soil; spring to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note This collection has been checked (van Waveren) and is found to be the only collection of this species in the herbarium at Kew.

PSATHYRELLA The common name for these is Brittlestem, and all parts of the fungus are very brittle. The stems usually have a mottled white to silvery appearance. The spore print is dark blackish-brown.

Psathyrella

Common Stump Brittlestem Psathyrella piluliformis

(Bull.) P.D. Orton. syn. P. hydrophila (Bull.) Maire Cap 2–3cm across, convex, becoming flattened, margin appendiculate with remnants of the fibrillose veil; tan to

dark chestnut or date-brown, drying paler, often with a tan flush at the centre. Stem 40–100×5–10mm; white, flushed with cap colour below; fragile. Flesh whitish; thin; taste bitter, smell not distinctive. Gills crowded; clay-brown, becoming chocolatebrown with age. Spores 4.5–7×3–4μ, elliptical. Spore print dark brown. Cystidia fusiform, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat in dense tufts in damp deciduous woodland; late spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but bitter and not worthwhile.

Pale Brittlestem Psathyrella candolleana

(Fr.) Maire Cap 2–6cm across, bell-shaped, becoming flattened; pale ochraceousbrown when moist, drying almost white or flushed with brown; margin often appearing toothed with remnants of veil. Stem 40–80×4–8mm; white; fragile, hollow. Flesh white; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate, crowded; greyish-lilac, darkening to chocolate-brown. Spores 6–8×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical or ovate. Spore print dark brown. Cheilocystidia finger-shaped or cylindrical, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on or near deciduous trees, stumps, or cut timbers; spring to late autumn. Very common. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Clustered Brittlestem Psathyrella multipedata

(Peck) A.H. Sm. Cap 1–3cm across, conical-convex; dingy clay-brown, drying or ageing cream, striate. Stem 70–120×2–4mm; whitish. Flesh whitish; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; dark purplish-brown. Spores 6.5–10×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical. Spore print dark brown. Cystidia narrowly fusoid with somewhat swollen base, thin-walled. Habitat amongst grass in open deciduous woodland and on roadsides, in very dense tufts of up to seventy individuals arising from a common base; summer. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Psathyrella cernua

(Vahl) G. Hirsch Cap 2–4cm across, broadly convex; dark, watery brown, margin finely striate, almost white when dry. Stem 30–50×2–4mm; white. Flesh pallid; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills close, adnexed; pallid then dull purple-brown. Spores 7–8×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print purple-brown. Cystidia thick-walled. Habitat on fallen trees, especially poplars; summer to autumn. Very rare, distribution uncertain. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Rootlet Brittlestem Psathyrella microrhiza

(Lasch) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 1–3cm across, bell-shaped; ochraceous to reddishbrown when moist, drying pale greyish. Stem 40–100×2–3mm, with rooting base; white; fragile, covered in whitish hairs. Flesh whitish; very thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; pallid, soon darkening to brownish-black with pinkish edge. Spores 10–14×6–7μ, broadly elliptical, with germ-pore. Spore print dark brown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia obtusely fusiform, thin-walled, hyaline. Habitat on bare soil in gardens, hedgerows, or woodland; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Psathyrella gossypina

(Bull.) A. Pearson & Dennis Cap 1–2.5cm across, hemispherical to bell-shaped, expanding slightly, margin hung with cottony white veil fragments; chestnut-brown, drying ochre; partly covered with veil remnants, striate. Stem 20–50×3–6mm, slightly enlarged towards the base; white, cream below; minutely cottony. Flesh yellow in the stem when young. Gills adnexed, crowded, narrow; pallid, becoming purple-grey. Spores 6–8×3.5–4μ, elliptical. Spore print black-brown. Cystidia lance-shaped. Habitat on the ground, often on fire sites; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Red Edge Brittlestem Psathyrella corrugis

(Pers.) Konrad & Maubl. syn. P. gracilis (Pers.) Quél. Cap 2–5cm across, campanulate; yellow-ochre to buff-brown, pinkish when dry; glabrous. Gills adnate, crowded, broad; pallid then pinkish-brown. Stem 60–120×2–3mm; white; pruinose at first. Flesh whitish. Spores 11–14×6.5–8μ, elliptical. Spore print purplish-brown. Pleurocystidia 54–75×10–16μ, with an acute apex. Habitat scattered on soil; late summer to autumn. Common. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Psathyrella marcescibilis

(Britzelm.) Singer Cap 1.5–4(8)cm across, conical to bell-shaped, margin appendiculate with whitish remnants of veil; grey-brown when moist, drying whitishclay. Stem 30–100×2–5mm; white; fragile, hollow. Flesh white; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills almost free; grey, becoming tinged purplish then blackish. Spores 12–16×6–7μ, elliptical, with germ pore. Spore print dark brown. Pleurocystidia lacking; cheilocystidia with swollen base and short, broad, obtuse neck, thin-walled. Habitat in deciduous woodland, especially on chalk; spring to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Medusa Brittlestem Psathyrella caput-medusae

(Fr.) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 4–5cm across, campanulate; dull date-brown when moist, with small, fibrillose scales that have darker tips. Stem 50–100×7–8mm; white; fibrillose-scaly below a membranous ring. Flesh white; taste and smell pleasant. Gills adnate, crowded, narrow; white then pinkish-grey to brown. Spores 9–12×4.5–6μ, ovate to elliptical. Spore print purplish-brown. Pleurocystidia obtuse to rounded. Habitat on conifer wood; autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility, avoid.

Weeping Widow Lacrymaria lacrymabunda

(Bull.) Pat. syn. L. velutina (Pers.) Konrad & Maubl. Cap 1.5–10cm across, convex with a broad umbo, becoming more flattened; ochre-brown to tan at first and covered in woolly fibrils, but then smooth; veil remnants often adhering to margin, giving a fringed cottony appearance. Stem 40–80×5–10mm; whitish at the apex, becoming flushed with cap colour towards the base; covered in small, fibrous scales below cottony, fibrillose ring zone, which is often made more prominent by the almost black spores which are trapped in it. Flesh ochraceous to brownish; taste slightly bitter. Gills crowded; mottled, dark purplish-brown with white edge; ‘weeping’ when moist. Spores 8–11×5–6μ, lemon-shaped, with truncate germ-pore, warted. Spore print black. Cheilocystidia clavate, with rounded head, thin-walled. Habitat amongst tufted grass on woodland paths and roadsides; late spring to late autumn. Common. Edible but bitter.

Psathyrella artemisiae

(Pass.) Konrad & Maubl. syn. P. squamosa sensu auct. mult. Cap 2.5–3.5cm across, ovate at first, becoming conical to expanded bell-shaped; ochre-brown when moist, with a broad marginal zone covered in whitish, silky fibrils, drying ochre-cream, dingy brown with age. Stem 35–50×3–5mm; white; flaky, hollow. Flesh ochrebrown; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; white then ochre-brown, finally violet-brown. Spores 8.5–9.5×4.5–5μ, elliptical, with germ-pore. Spore print purplishbrown. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia fusoid, with slightly thickened, yellowish walls when examined in KOH solution. Habitat beech woods; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Shaggy Inkcap or Lawyer’s Wig Coprinus comatus

(O.F. Müll.) Pers. Cap 5–15cm high, cylindrical; white, buff at the centre; cuticle breaking up into large, shaggy, brownish-tipped white scales. Stem 100–370×10– 25mm, swollen, sometimes rooting at the base; white; ring white and loose, often falling to the base of the stem. Flesh smell faint and pleasant. Gills free; white, then pink or vinaceous, finally black and deliquescing. Spores almond-shaped, 10–13×6.5– 8μ. Spore print brownish-black. Habitat in grass on lawns, roadsides, or rubbish heaps, particularly on recently disturbed soil; late summer to autumn. Very common. Edible good while gills are still white.

Coprinus macrocephalus

(Berk.) Berk. Cap 1–3cm high, cylindrical to conical at first, then expanding to broadly bell-shaped or flat; white, becoming grey, often buff at the centre; covered in coarse fibres, which break up into buff-coloured scales. Stem 40–190×2–7mm; translucent white. Flesh smell none. Gills free; white at first, soon becoming black and deliquescing. Spores 11–14×7.5–8.5μ, elliptical. Spore print violaceous-black. Habitat on dung-heaps and rotting straw, also on pheasant feed; all year round. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

COPRINUS In most of the species in this genus the crowded, parallel-sided gills quickly auto-digest (deliquesce), resulting in the dripping, black, inky fluid from which the genus gets its common name of Inkcap. The black spores ripen from the edge of the gill inwards towards the stem; the deliquescence, which takes place after the spores ripen, allows the spores on the inner parts of the gills space to fall as they in turn ripen. The young fungus may be covered by a thick, woolly veil that leaves felty scales on the cap, or by a powdery veil, which also may remain in the cap especially in dry weather. There are Coprinus that have no veil. Many have strong radial grooves on the cap. Smells are important for identifying some species. They grow on the ground, on wood and on dung.

Common Inkcap Coprinus atramentarius

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 3–7cm high, ovate then broadly conical, margin irregularly puckered at first then splitting; greyish with brownish apex; remnants of veil seen as minute sepia scales, especially near the centre. Stem 70–170×9–15mm; whitish; smooth, with ring-like zone left by veil near base. Flesh smell faint and pleasant. Gills crowded, white at first then black and soon deliquescing. Spores 8–11×5–6μ, elliptical or almond-shaped. Spore print date-brown. Habitat in tufts, terrestrial but associated with buried wood; spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but causing alarming symptoms (palpitations, nausea) when taken in conjunction with alcohol; indeed it has been given to alcoholics to cause these symptoms and eventually cure them. Good black drawing ink used to be made from the deliquesced caps by boiling the ‘ink’ with a little water and cloves.

Magpie Inkcap Coprinus picaceus

(Bull.) Gray Cap 5–8cm high, cylindrical-ovate to conical, broadly bell-shaped when expanded; white then sepia-grey, finally black covered in white to clay-pink patches of veil remnant. Stem 90–300×6–15mm, with woolly, bulbous base; white. Flesh smell unpleasant. Gills free, crowded; white then clay-pink, finally black and deliquescing. Spores 13–17×10–12μ, elliptical. Spore print black. Habitat on alkaline soil, usually in beech woods; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Said to be poisonous but eaten by some with no ill-effect.

Bonfire Inkcap Coprinus jonesii

Peck syn. C. lagopides sensu auct. mult. Cap 2–6cm high, cylindrical to conical, expanding with margin gradually rolling back; white to grey, at first covered in conspicuous, whitish to greyish, fibrillose veil remnants, later less so and striate from margin inwards. Stem 30–110×3–12mm; white; initially with white down then smooth in places, base white and woolly. Flesh smell none. Gills free; soon dark vinaceous then black and deliquescing. Spores 6–9×5–7μ, elliptical to subglobose. Spore print violaceous-black. Habitat on burnt soil or charred wood and so differing markedly in habitat from the superficially similar C. lagopus (below); late autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Hare’s Foot Inkcap Coprinus lagopus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 2–4cm high, cylindrical-ovate or conical, expanding almost flat; greyish, covered with fibrillose, whitish to greyish veil remnants. Stem 65–130×2–3mm, swollen at base; white; covered in down as the cap at first, then smooth. Flesh smell none. Gills white, rapidly turning black and deliquescing. Spores 11–13.5×6–7μ, elliptical. Spore print violaceous-black. Habitat on soil or in leaf litter in shady woods, less frequently in fields; summer to autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile.

Coprinus narcoticus

(Batsch) Fr. Cap 1–1.5cm high, cylindrical-ovate becoming flat, the margin becoming split and rolled back; pale grey, covered in coarse, white, granular meal, becoming buff and warty towards the centre. Stem 15–65×2–8mm, sometimes rooting at the base. Flesh smell strongly of tar-gas. Gills free; white, rapidly becoming black and deliquescing. Spores 11–13.5×5.5–7μ, elliptical to almond-shaped, remains of perispore often visible. Spore print black. Mealy covering of cap formed of globose, thin-walled cells, ornamented with granular warts. Habitat on dung or manured soil; autumn. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Coprinus pachyspermus

P.D. Orton Cap 1–3cm high, elliptical, sometimes with pointed apex, expanding to broadly conical and splitting at the margin; grey or creamy; covered in coarse, mealy, flocculose scales. Stem 30–110×2–4mm; white; fragile, sometimes with the remains of the mealy veil around the base. Flesh smell none. Gills free; cream then black and deliquescing. Spores 15–17×12.5–14μ, elliptical to ovate. Spore print black. Basidia 2-spored. Mealy covering of cap formed of globose, smooth, thin-walled cells. Habitat on cow dung; summer. Very rare. Unknown edibility.

Snowy Inkcap Coprinus niveus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 1.5–3cm high, ovate to conical at first, bell-shaped when expanded, with split or rolled-back margin; white, covered in chalk-white meal. Stem 30–90×4– 7mm, slightly thickened at base; white; cottony at base. Flesh smell none. Gills free; white, rapidly greying and finally black and deliquescing. Spores 15–19×11–13μ, elliptical or slightly almond-shaped. Spore print black. Mealy covering of cap consisting of globose, smooth, thin-walled cells. Habitat on cow or horse dung; summer to autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Coprinus impatiens

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–3cm high, elliptical then broadly convex, finally flat; pale buff with cinnamon centre, drying whitish, strongly grooved to centre. Stem 70–100×2–4mm; white. Flesh smell none. Gills free; pale clay-buff then greying, hardly deliquescing. Spores 9–12×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print dark umber. Dermatocystidia 70–120×8– 14μ, lageniform with rather acute apex, thin-walled. Habitat in leaf litter or soil in deciduous woods, especially beech on chalk; autumn to winter. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Coprinus congregatus

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 0.5–2cm high, cylindrical-elliptical, expanding broadly convex; ochraceous-buff with darker centre, becoming grey from margin inwards. Stem 20– 80×1–4mm, sometimes rooting; white. Flesh smell slight, pleasant. Gills free; cream then brown-vinaceous, finally black, deliquescing. Spores 12–14×6–7μ, elliptical. Spore print black. Dermatocystidia 48–106×7.5–17μ, subcylindrical with swollen base to somewhat lageniform, thin-walled. Habitat caespitose, on dung, compost, or rotting straw; summer. Rare. Unknown edibility.

Fairy Inkcap or Trooping Crumble Cap Coprinus disseminatus

(Pers.) Gray Cap 0.5–1.5cm high, ovate at first, expanding to convex or bell-shaped; pale buff with buff or fulvous centre; deeply grooved, fragile. Stem 15–40×1–3mm; white, with buff tinge near the base, which is covered in white down. Flesh smell none. Gills free; white then umber, finally black but not deliquescing. Spores 7– 9.5×4–5μ, elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print date-brown or umber. Dermatocystidia 75–200×20–30μ, blunt cylindrical with swollen base, thin-walled. Habitat in large groups (often of hundreds) on stumps of broad-leaved trees or on soil nearby; late spring to late autumn. Common. Edible but not worth considering due to its small size.

Glistening Inkcap Coprinus micaceus

(Bull.) Fr. Cap 1–4cm high, ovate, expanding to bell-shaped, the margin becoming split and sometimes rolled back; ochraceous, becoming cinnamon towards the centre; grooved from margin almost to centre, cuticle covered with white, powdery veil, especially when young. Stem 40–100×2–5mm; white, discolouring buff in lower part. Flesh smell none. Gills free; white, becoming date-brown, finally black and deliquescing. Spore print date-brown. Spores 7–10×4.5–6μ, mitriform. Velar remnants on cap formed of globose, thin- or thick-walled, hyaline or brownish cells, which are often verrucose. Habitat caespitose on or around broad-leaved stumps or on buried wood; late spring to early winter. Very common. Edible.

Firerug Inkcap Coprinus domesticus

(Bolton) Gray Cap 1–3cm high, ovate at first, expanding convex or bell-shaped, splitting at margin; pale buff, with darker tawny centre; powdered at first with whitish or buff remains of veil, later smooth and becoming grooved from the margin inwards. Stem 40–155×2–10mm, swollen at base; white, tinged buff towards the ridged base, often arising from a rust-coloured mat of mycelium. Flesh smell none. Gills free; white at first, rapidly purplish-date, then black and deliquescing. Spores 7.5–10×4– 5μ, cylindrical-elliptical. Spore print dark brown. Remnants of veil on cap formed of chains of globose or elliptical cells, which are thin- to thick-walled, hyaline or goldenbrown, and often verrucose. Habitat on dead wood of broad-leaved trees; late spring to summer. Frequent. Not edible.

Pleated Inkcap Coprinus plicatilis

(Curtis) Fr. Cap 0.5–1.5cm high, cylindrical-ovate, expanding to shallowly convex or flat with depressed centre; buff with cinnamon centre, soon greying from margin inwards; soon deeply grooved. Stem 30–70×1–2mm; white, discolouring buff from the base upwards. Flesh smell none. Gills free; clay-pink then grey, finally black, hardly deliquescing. Spores 10–13×8.5–10.5μ, elliptical to almond-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in grass on lawns at path sides; spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but not worthwhile. Note more common but similar is Coprinus leiocephalus, which has spores only up to 11×8μ.

Coprinus silvaticus

Peck Cap 1–3cm high, ovate, expanding to conical-convex; cream-buff with darker sienna or cinnamon centre, often becoming grey; grooved from margin inwards. Stem 40–85×3–6mm; white, lower part discolouring pale buff; fragile. Flesh smell none. Gills crowded; white, then grey-umber, finally black, deliquescing only slightly. Spores 11–15×8–10μ, almond-shaped, possibly ornamented with low warts and ridges. Spore print black. Dermatocystidia 90–180×16–25μ, lageniform. Habitat on soil, attached to buried wood; autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Egghead Mottlegill Panaeolus semiovatus

(Sowerby) S. Lundell Cap 2–6cm across, ovate-bell-shaped, never expanding, velar remnants often adhering to margin; clay-white, tinged yellowish towards centre; viscid, drying shiny. Stem 50–100×4–8mm, slightly thickened at base; whitish; ring white and membranaceous, persistent. Flesh whitish, yellowish in stem. Gills broad; whitish, soon brown-black, often with a white edge. Spores 16–20×10–12μ, pipshaped. Spore print black. Pleurocystidia in form of broad, lanceolate chrysocystidia with pointed apices. Habitat on dung; spring to early winter. Common. Not edible.

PANAEOLUS The common name Mottlegill derives from the tendency of the black spores to mature rather unevenly, giving mottled blackish tones to the gills.

Panaeolus subfirmus

P. Karst. syn. P. speciosus P.D. Orton Cap 2–7cm across, conical to convex; buff or dull brown at first, becoming more greyish, with darker olivaceous-brown zone near the margin, tinged ochraceous or tawny at the centre, drying greyish or buff; cracking. Stem 70–175×2–5mm; whitish, tinged tawny or greyish-pink, base dusted white; hollow. Flesh concolorous with cap; smell faint, mushroomy. Gills adnate; clay-buff, becoming mottled blackish. Spores 14–20×8–10×10–12μ, angular lemon-shaped. Spore print blackish. Habitat on horse or sheep dung; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Panaeolus acuminatus

(Schaeff.) Gillet syn P. rickenii Hora Cap 1–2cm across, convex to conical with prominent umbo; dark brown and striate at margin when moist, drying pale buff or tan, flushed tan towards the centre. Stem 50–100×2–3m; pinkish-brown or tan with paler apex. Flesh tan; thin; taste not distinctive, smell mushroomy. Gills adnate; grey, soon becoming black. Spores 13–16×9.5–11μ, lemon-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in damp pastureland; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible. Note in my last book this was included as P. rickenii; some mycologists consider it a form of P. acuminatus.

Turf Mottlegill Panaeolus fimicola

(Pers.) Gillet syn. P. ater (J.E. Lange) Bon Cap 1.5–4.5cm across, hemispherical with slight umbo; dark brown when moist, drying buff or tan from margin inwards. Stem 20–80×2–5mm; buff or tan to darker brown, paler at apex; base covered in fine, white down. Flesh brown; taste mushroomy, smell none. Gills adnate; grey at first, soon mottled black, then totally black. Spores 10–14×7–8μ, lemon-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in lawns or short grass under trees; spring to autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note most mycologists use the name P. ater.

Panaeolus papilionaceus

(Bull.) Quél. syn. P. sphinctrinus (Fr.) Quél. Cap 2–4cm across, broadly conical to bell-shaped, sometimes with a slight umbo, margin overhanging gills, forming pale, delicate teeth; dark grey to almost black when moist, drying out pale grey with dark ochre centre. Stem 60–120×2–3mm; grey, paler at apex. Flesh pale grey; thin. Gills adnate; grey, soon becoming black, edge white. Spores 14–18×10–12μ, lemonshaped. Spore print black. Habitat in pastureland, on or near dung; late spring to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Bell-shaped Mottlegill Panaeolus papilionaceus var. parvisporus

Ew. Gerhardt Cap 2–4cm across, hemispherical; pale buff at the margin, reddishbrown towards centre, which is slightly viscid in wet weather. Stem 70–100×2–3mm; grey or grey-brown. Flesh buff; smell faint, not distinctive. Gills adnate; grey, soon becoming black. Spores 12–14×7–8μ, lemon-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in pastureland, especially on horse dung; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note the British concept of this fungus has changed; it used to be known as P. campanulatus, under which name I captioned this picture in my first book.

Banded Mottlegill Panaeolus cinctulus

(Bolton) Sacc. syn. P. subbalteatus (Berk. & Broome) Sacc. Cap 2–6cm across, convex at first, expanding to almost flat with a broad umbo; dark reddish-brown when moist, drying buff to pale tan from centre outwards, leaving a darker zone at margin. Stem 60–90×3–5mm; buff or pale brown, with paler apex. Flesh brownish; thin; taste not distinctive, smell mushroomy. Gills adnate; pale tan at first, rapidly blackening. Spores 12–14×7.5–8.5μ, lemon-shaped. Spore print black. Habitat in manured places, especially gardens or compost heaps; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note I have now used the earlier Bolton name, but many mycologists still use the name P. subbalteatus.

Brown Mottlegill or Brown Hay Cap Panaeolina foenisecii

(Pers.) Maire syn. Psilocybe foenisecii (Pers.) Quél. syn. Panaeolus foenisecii (Pers.) Kühner Cap 1–2cm across, bell-shaped to convex; dark, dull brown, drying pale claybrown from the rust-coloured centre outwards to the margin, which often remains darker. Stem 40–70×2–3mm; paler than the cap. Flesh buff to pale brown; smell not distinctive. Gills adnate; pale brown when young, soon becoming mottled darker. Spores 12–15×7–8.5μ, lemon-shaped, rough, with germ-pore. Spore print brownishblack. Habitat in grassland, on lawns, and along roadsides; summer to autumn. Common. Not edible.

PLEUROTUS The common name for these is Oyster, from the almost stemless, shelllike caps. Some are very good to eat. They grow on wood in clumps. The gills are normally distinctly decurrent, and the spore print varies in colour from white to pale lilac.

Pleurotus

Hypsizygus tessulatus

(Bull.) Singer Cap 5–15cm across, convex at first, becoming flatter and rather sunken; white to buff-yellow, creamy tan or rust-brown in the centre; moist, smooth, minutely hairy, becoming cracked with scaly patches. Stem 40–110×10–30mm, offcentre, enlarged towards the base; white; dry, smooth, sometimes hairy, solid. Flesh white; thick, firm; taste mild, smell mushroomy. Gills adnexed to sinuate, close to subdistant, broad; whitish, becoming cream. Spores 5–7×5–7μ, globose, smooth. Spore print white to buff. Habitat singly or scattered on old hardwood trees, especially elm, often quite high up; autumn to winter. Very rare. Edible but tough.

Ossicaulis lignatilis

(Pers.) Redhead & Ginns syn. Pleurotus lignatilis (Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1.5–5cm across, slightly depressed; creamy white. Stem 5–20×4–8mm, central or slightly excentric; whitish, discolouring ochraceous. Flesh white; smell strong, of meal. Gills crowded; white then ochraceous-cream. Spores 4.5×2.5μ, oval. Spore print white. Habitat on dead deciduous wood, especially inside the hollow trunks of beech and elm, where it produces a brown rot; autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility. Note this fungus was included in Pleurotus in my first book.

Pale Oyster Pleurotus pulmonarius

(Fr.) Quél. Cap 2–10cm across, fan- or shell-shaped, in overlapping groups; white to cream. Stem very short, lateral. Flesh white; smell of flour or ammonia. Gills crowded; white, becoming ochraceous-cream. Spores 7.5–11×3–4μ, cylindrical. Spore print white. Habitat in clusters on deciduous trees and fallen logs; autumn. Occasional. Edible popular in cultivation.

Branching Oyster Pleurotus cornucopiae

(Paulet) Rolland Cap 5–12cm across, convex then depressed to funnel-shaped, often becoming wavy or cracked at the margin; cream at first and covered in a whitish bloom, then smooth and tinged ochraceous, finally ochre-brown. Stem 20–50×10– 25mm, frequently excentric; usually several fused into a common base; whitish, becoming tinged with cap colour. Flesh white; taste pleasant, smell of flour or ammonia. Gills deeply decurrent; white to pale flesh. Spores 8–11×3.5–5μ, subcylindrical. Spore print pale lilac. Habitat in dense clusters on the cut stumps of deciduous trees, usually elm or oak; spring to autumn. Common. Edible.

Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus

(Jacq.) P. Kumm. Cap 6–14cm across, shell-shaped, convex at first, then flattening or slightly depressed, often wavy and lobed at the margin or splitting; variable in colour, flesh-brown or deep blue-grey, later more grey-brown. Stem 20–30×10–20cm, excentric to lateral, or absent; white; woolly base. Flesh white; taste and smell pleasant. Gills decurrent; white at first, then with a yellowish tinge. Spores 7.5–11×3– 4μ, subcylindrical. Spore print lilac. Habitat often in large clusters on stumps and fallen or standing trunks, usually of deciduous trees, especially beech; all year. Common. Edible.

Pleurotus eryngii

(D.C.) Quél, Cap 3–10cm across, convex then centrally depressed, margin remaining down-turned; dirty whitish at first, then brownish; slightly velvety at first, remaining so at margin but elsewhere soon smooth. Stem 30–100×10–30mm, usually slightly excentric; whitish. Flesh white; taste and smell pleasant. Gills decurrent; greyish. Spores 10–14×4–5μ, narrowly elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat on roots and decaying remains of umbellifers, especially Eryngium campestre; spring to autumn. Not yet found in Britain; my collection was made in France. Edible.

Moss Oysterling Arrhenia acerosa

(Fr.) Kühner syn. Pleurotus acerosus (Fr.) Quél. Cap 1–3cm across, somewhat kidney-shaped, often lobed; dark grey-brown when moist, drying pale grey; margin downy, white. Stem 5–10×5–10mm, lateral; white. Flesh pallid; thin. Gills adnate to decurrent; greyish. Spores 7–8×3–4μ, pip-shaped. Spore print white. Habitat on rotting wood or rich humus on the ground amongst moss; late summer to early winter. Occasional. Unknown edibility.

Lilac Oysterling Panus conchatus

(Bull.) Fr. syn. P. torulosus (Pers.) Fr. Cap 4–8cm across, slightly concave to funnelshaped, often wavy at the margin; ochre to reddish-brown, tinged lilac when young; becoming cracked and scaly with age. Stem 10–20×10–20mm, excentric or lateral, tapering towards the base; concolorous with cap, covered in a lilac bloom when young. Flesh whitish; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills deeply decurrent, ochraceous, but distinctly flesh-coloured or lilac when young. Spores 5–6×3–3.5μ, oblong-elliptical; non-amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on stumps and branches of deciduous trees; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Angel’s Wings Pleurocybella porrigens

(Pers.) Singer syn. Pleurotellus porrigens (Pers.) Kühner & Romagn. Cap 2–10cm across, sessile, tongue-shaped, the margin becoming wavy and lobed with age, but fruit bodies often much distorted by mutual pressure; white. Flesh white. Gills decurrent; ivory white. Spores 5–6μ, subglobose. Spore print whitish. Habitat on rotting conifer wood, frequently on partly buried, moss-covered branches, forming dense clusters; autumn. Occasional, more common in the Scottish highlands. Unknown edibility. Note this fungus has been placed in many genera, causing some muddles.

Jack O’ Lantern Omphalotus illudens

(Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl Cap 5–10cm across, strongly depressed to funnelshaped; bright orange. Stem 40–140×7–28mm, wavy and tapering towards the base; paler than cap. Flesh yellowish, darkening towards the stem base; taste not distinctive, smell strong and unpleasant. Gills decurrent; golden to orange. Spores 5–7×4.5–6.5μ, subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat on the roots or at the base of trunks of certain trees, especially oak and chestnut in Britain; autumn. Very rare. Poisonous. Note this fungus may be seen to glow in the dark, the phosphorescence coming from the gills when the spores are mature. In my first book I listed it as Omphalotus olearius sensu auct. Brit., but this name is now reserved for the shorter-stemmed mushroom that is found in southern Europe, mainly on olive trees.

CREPIDOTUS The common name for these is Oysterling. They grow on wood but are much smaller than Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus, here). The spores are walnutbrown.

Wrinkled Peach Rhodotus palmatus

(Bull.) Maire syn. Pleurotus palmatus (Bull.) Quél. Cap 5–10cm across, convex then flattened, horizontal, margin inrolled; clear pink at first, later peach- to apricotcoloured; distinctly wrinkled, pellicle gelatinous, thick and tough, entirely separable. Stem 30–70×10–15mm, curved; white to pinkish; covered in white fibrils. Flesh whitish, tinged pink to orange; taste bitter, smell pleasant. Gills interconnected; paler than the cap. Spores 5–7μ in diameter, subglobose, finely warted. Spore print pinkish. Habitat especially on elm logs or beams; early autumn to winter. Rather rare, due to the lack of mature elm trees since Dutch elm disease. Not edible.

Hohenbuehelia petalodes

(Bull.) Schulzer syn. H. geogenia (DC.) Singer Cap 3–16cm across, tongue-, spatulaor funnel-shaped, but split down one side, margin incurved at first, then wavy and lobed; ochre-buff to hazel-brown; somewhat gelatinous skin, and covered towards the stem with white down. Stem 5–10×5–10mm, excentric; whitish; tough. Flesh whitish; tough; taste and smell mealy. Gills decurrent; white at first, later creamy yellow. Spores 7–7.5×3.5–4μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Pleurocystidia lanceolate, apically encrusted, thick-walled. Habitat on stumps or decaying wood of deciduous trees, especially beech on calcareous soil; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Split-gill Schizophyllum commune

(Fr.) Fr. Cap 1–4cm across, fan-shaped, often lobed or fused with others; densely covered in greyish-white down with a purplish tinge. Stem absent or rudimentary. Flesh pale; tough. Gills radiating from the point of attachment, splitting lengthwise and rolling back to cover the space between the gills, protecting the hymenium from desiccation. Spores 6×3μ, cylindrical. Spore print white. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees and cut timber, also on bales of hay that have been wrapped in plastic sheeting; all year. Occasional, more frequent in south-east England. Not edible.

Aniseed Cockleshell Lentinellus cochleatus

(Pers.) P. Karst. Cap 2–6cm across, irregularly funnel-shaped; flesh-colour to reddishbrown. Stem 20–50×8–15mm, central or lateral, often rooting; reddish-brown, darkening towards the base. Flesh pinkish; tough; taste mild, smell of aniseed. Gills decurrent; pale flesh-coloured. Spores 4.5–5×3.5–4μ, subglobose; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat tufted on stumps of deciduous trees; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Variable Oysterling Crepidotus variabilis

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 0.5–2cm across, kidney-shaped, often lobed; white; felty-hairy. Stem absent or rudimentary. Gills radiating from rudimentary stem; whitish at first, becoming ochraceous-flesh-coloured. Spores 5–7×3–3.5μ, elliptical, minutely spiny to warty. Spore print clay-pink. Habitat on fallen twigs, old straw, dead grass or other vegetable debris; autumn to early winter. In the past thought to be common, but many records have now been redetermined as C. cesatii (Rabenh.) Sacc. Not edible.

Flat Oysterling Crepidotus applanatus

(Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 1–4cm across, shell- or kidney-shaped; creamy white, sometimes striate towards the margin. Stem short and rudimentary; white. Gills horizontal; white at first, becoming pale cinnamon. Spores 4.5–6μ in diameter, globose, minutely spiny. Spore print walnut-brown. Habitat on decaying wood; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Peeling Oysterling Crepidotus mollis

(Schaeff.) Staude Cap 1.5–6cm across, bell- or kidney-shaped, bracket-like, often densely tiered; ochre-brown, margin grey-brown and striate when moist, drying creamy ochre to almost white; surface with a gelatinous covering. Stem absent or rudimentary. Gills crowded; pallid, becoming cinnamon. Spores 7–9×5–7μ, broadly elliptical, smooth. Spore print walnut-brown. Habitat on decaying trunks of deciduous trees; summer to late autumn. Common. Unknown edibility, best avoided.

Yellowing Oysterling Crepidotus luteolus

(Lambotte) Sacc. Cap 1–2.5cm across, kidney-shaped; white at first, becoming sulphur-yellow with age. Stem absent or rudimentary; at first sulphur-yellow, becoming white. Gills radiating from rudimentary stem; white at first, then fleshcoloured or more rusty. Spores 7.5–10(11)×3.5–5μ, brown, narrowly elliptical. Spore print clay-pink. Habitat on twigs of deciduous trees, often ash, and on stems of old nettles; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Olive Oysterling Panellus serotinus

(Pers.) Kühner syn. Pleurotus serotinus (Pers.) P. Kumm. Cap 3–7(15)cm across, kidney-shaped; ochre to olive-green; tacky in wet weather. Stem 10–25×8–15mm, rudimentary or lateral; yellowish, covered in minute, brownish, scurfy scales. Flesh white; gelatinous layer below the cap cuticle. Gills attached to rudimentary stem; pale yellow to orange-yellow, fading with age. Spores 4–5.5×1–2μ, curved-cylindrical; amyloid. Spore print white. Pleuro- and cheilocystidia vesiculose-clavate, thin-walled, with yellowish contents. Habitat on fallen trunks and branches; autumn to winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Elastic Oysterling Panellus mitis

(Pers.) Singer syn. Pleurotus mitis (Pers.) Quél. Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, fan-shaped, horizontal; white, becoming clay-pink; pellicle separable. Stem 5–10×3–5mm, lateral, flattened; whitish; covered in white, mealy granules. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills crowded, with gelatinous edge; white to cream. Spores 3.5–5×1–1.5μ, cylindrical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on coniferous twigs; early autumn to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Bitter Oysterling Panellus stipticus

(Bull.) P. Karst. syn. Crepidopus stypticus (Bull.) Gray Cap 1–3cm across, kidneyshaped; pale ochre-brown to cinnamon; minutely scurfy. Stem 5–20×2–5mm, lateral, tapering towards the base; concolorous with cap or paler. Flesh whitish to pale yellowish; taste bitter. Gills attached to rudimentary stem; pale cinnamon. Spores 3– 6×2–3μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat often in crowded tiers on dead branches or stumps, especially of oak; all year. Common. Not edible. Note this fungus was traditionally used as a styptic to coagulate blood.

Gomphidius maculatus

Fr. syn. G. gracilis Berk. & Broome Cap 3–6cm across, flat then funnel-shaped; whitish or greyish, blotched with black in older specimens; glutinous. Stem 45– 75×10–20mm; whitish, becoming streaked sepia, base yellowish; dry at apex. Flesh white in cap, reddening throughout with a vinaceous tint in stem base, blackening with age in places; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills distant, decurrent; whitish, becoming vinaceous-grey, darkening with age. Spores 17–23×6–8μ, subfusiform. Spore print fuscous black. Habitat with larch; late summer to autumn. Rarely reported but apparently widespread. Edible but not recommended.

Rosy Spike Gomphidius roseus

(Fr.) Fr. Cap up to 5cm across, convex at first then flattened; coral, becoming more brick with age; very viscid. Stem 25–45×4–10mm; whitish, flushed with pink or vinaceous tint; white, glutinous veil leaving an indistinct ring zone. Flesh dirty white, tinted coral, occasionally dirty yellow in stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills deeply decurrent; greyish, finally mouse-grey with olivaceous tinge. Spores 15.5–18.5×5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print fuscous black. Habitat on acid soil with conifers, especially pines. Often collected with Suillus bovinus (here) with which there may be a mutualistic relationship; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not recommended.

Slimy Spike Gomphidius glutinosus

(Schaeff.) Fr. syn. Gomphus glutinosus (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Cap 5–12cm across, convex with an umbo; greyish-violet; glutinous. Stem 35–100×10–20mm; whitish above, grey-brown below, sometimes lemon-chrome at the base; glutinous, with a glutinous veil connecting stem and cap margin, which leaves a gelatinous, blackening zone near the stem apex. Flesh whitish, flushing vinaceous in the cap, strongly lemonchrome towards the stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Gills decurrent, distant; whitish then vinaceous-grey, darkening with age. Spores 17–20×5.5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print sepia. Habitat with conifers; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not recommended.

Copper Spike Chroogomphus rutilus

(Schaeff.) O.K. Mill. syn. Gomphidius viscidus sensu auct. Cap 3–15cm across, convex, umbonate; brick-colour, flushed vinaceous; viscid, drying shiny. Stem 60– 120×2–8mm; vinaceous at apex, yellow-buff below, chrome-yellow at stem base; slightly viscid with cottony veil, which leaves irregular zones on the stem. Flesh vinaceous in cap and stem, deep chrome-yellow in stem base; taste and smell somewhat astringent. Gills deeply decurrent; dull olivaceous-buff becoming dirty purplish. Spores 15–22×5.5–7μ, subfusiform. Spore print fuscous black to sepia. Habitat with conifers, usually Pinus sylvestris or other two-needle pines; autumn. Frequent and widespread. Edible but not recommended.

CHANTERELLES One of the most important groups of edible mushrooms. They are distinguished by the primitive look of the gills, often no more than folds on the lower surface of the cap and sometimes totally absent! There has been a decline in the quantities found in recent years, especially in the Black Forest in Germany. It is thought that this decline may be due to acid rain; for this reason care should be taken never to over-collect.

Cantharellus cibarius

Chanterelle or Girolle Cantharellus cibarius

Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, at first flattened with an irregular, incurved margin, later becoming wavy, lobed, and depressed at the centre; pale to deep egg-yellow, fading with age. Stem 30–80×5–15mm, tapering towards the base; concolorous with cap or paler; solid. Flesh yellowish; taste watery at first, then slightly peppery, smell faint, fragrant, of apricots. Gills decurrent, narrow, vein-like, irregularly forked; egg-yellow. Spores 8–10×4.5–5.5μ, elliptical. Spore print ochraceous. Habitat in all kinds of woods and with deciduous and coniferous trees; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible excellent.

Golden Chanterelle Cantharellus aurora

(Batsch) Kuyper C. lutescens (Pers.) Fr. syn. C. xanthopus (Pers.) Duby Cap 1–6cm across, convex, becoming flatter with a crimped, wavy margin and a sunken centre, later becoming vase-shaped with a raised margin; orange-yellow to brownish-yellow; small, coarse, brownish hairs or scales give whole surface a brownish tinge. Stem 20– 50×1–15mm, often curved or compressed; orange; smooth, slightly hairy at base, stuffed, becoming hollow. Flesh pale buff to orangish; very thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Spore-bearing surface descending into stalk; dingy yellowish-brown to buff; smooth to slightly veined or wrinkled. Spores 9–11×6–7.5μ, elliptical, smooth; nonamyloid. Spore print pale orange-buff. Habitat in groups or clusters on damp, mossy wood in low, wet coniferous woods; summer to early autumn. Uncommon, but more frequent in upland Scotland, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Trumpet Chanterelle Cantharellus tubaeformis

(Bull.) Fr. syn. C. infundibuliformis (Scop.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm across, convex with depressed centre, becoming funnel-shaped with an irregular, wavy margin; dark dingy brown. Stem 50–80×4–9mm; dirty yellow; often grooved or flattened, hollow. Flesh yellowish; thin and tough; taste bitter, smell aromatic. Gills decurrent, narrow, irregularly branched and vein-like; yellowish at first then grey. Spores 9–12×6.5–8μ. Spore print yellowish. Habitat on acid soils in deciduous or coniferous woods; autumn. Common. Edible.

Cantharellus ferruginascens

P.D. Orton. Cap 2–6cm across, convex then expanded-depressed, irregularly lobed and wavy at the upturned margin; ochraceous-buff, bruising rusty ochraceous. Stem 20–40×5–20mm, tapering towards the base; yellowish-cream, bruising like the cap; robust. Flesh whitish to yellowish-cream; taste mild, smell faint and pleasant. Gills decurrent, narrow, forked, interveined and fusing into one another; pale yellowishcream, darkening with age. Spores 7.5–10×5–6μ, broadly elliptical. Spore print pale creamy yellowish. Habitat in mixed woodland on chalk soils; late summer to early autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible. Note some mycologists now consider this fungus to be only a colour form of Cantharellus cibarius (above).

Craterellus cornucopioides

BOLETUS The first genus in the book with pores and tubes; tubes are easily separated from the cap, helping to distinguish these from stemmed polypores (here), which can be similar. The caps are normally dry, or slightly viscid in wet weather, never glutinous. Many stems carry small, coloured dots or a network (reticulation); there is no ring. Most are edible and good, but take care with any with red or orange pores. All but two species grow on the ground with trees.

Boletus edulis (here)

Amethyst Chanterelle Cantharellus amethysteus

(Quél.) Sacc. syn. C. cibarius var. amethysteus. Quél. Cap 3–6cm across, convex, soon flattened and depressed at centre, margin irregular, wavy, inrolled; dull orange; dry, felty, with fine, purplish-lilac, woolly or felty scales, especially at centre but sometimes overall. Stem 2–4×1–2cm, tapering below; pale yellowish-orange, bruising deep tawny; fleshy. Flesh pale cream-yellow, brownish-orange when cut; firm; smell and taste pleasant, faintly of apricots. Spore-bearing surface wrinkled, thin, resembling narrow, forking gills, running down stem; pale yellow-orange to pinkishorange, bruising darker. Spores 8–10×4.5–6μ, broadly elliptical, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat in grass or leaf litter under broad-leaved trees, especially oak, beech, and birch, rarely under pine; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.

Horn of Plenty or Trompette des morts Craterellus cornucopioides

(L.) Pers. syn. Cantharellus cornucopioides (L.) Fr. Cap 2–8cm across, deeply tubular with flared mouth, margin becoming irregularly crisped and wavy; dark brown to black and scurfy-scaly when moist, drying paler and greyish-brown; thin, leathery. Spore-bearing surface smooth at first, becoming somewhat undulating with age; ashy grey. Spores 10–11×6–7μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Habitat in troops or clusters in leaf litter of deciduous woods; late summer to late autumn. Occasional, but locally abundant. Edible good.

Pseudocraterellus undulatus

(Pers.) Rauschert syn. P. sinuosus (Fr.) D.A. Reid Cap 1–5cm across, irregularly funnel-shaped, margin wavy and lobed; greyish-brown; fibrous. Stem 5–10cm long, tapering towards base; greyish towards base. Spore-bearing surface irregularly folded, resembling vein-like gills; paler and more creamy than stem; smell fruity. Spores 8–10×5–7μ, ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in clusters in leaf litter of deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible good. Note DNA tests will probably cause this fungus to move to the genus Craterellus.

Pine Bolete Boletus pinophilus

Pilát & Dermek Cap 8–20cm across; red-brown or chestnut, white at the margin; smooth and greasy at first, then dry and slightly downy. Stem 40–100×30–80mm, becoming wider towards the base; brown, darker towards base, covered in a fine whitish or cinnamon net, which bruises red; robust. Flesh whitish, becoming deep vinaceous below cuticle when cut; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes whitish at first, then becoming greenish-yellow. Pores small; white then greenish-yellow, finally olivaceous. Spores 13–17×4–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in coniferous woods; late spring until late autumn. Uncommon, but more frequent in Scotland. Edible. Note in my first book I used the name B. pinicola, which has been found to be illegitimate.

Dark Cep Boletus aereus

Bull. Cap 7–16cm across; dark cigar-brown to bay or dark sepia, often dark brickcoloured near the margin; slightly downy at first, becoming smooth, minutely cracking, making the surface roughly textured. Stem 60–80×11–12mm; covered with network, which is brown near apex, clay-pink or buff around the middle, and rusty towards the base; robust. Flesh white, unchanging or becoming dirty vinaceous when bruised; taste pleasant, smell strong and earthy. Tubes white to cream, finally becoming sulphur-yellow with age. Pores colouring similar to the tubes, but bruising vinaceous on handling and often becoming flushed rust with age. Spores 13.5– 15.5×4–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat scattered under broad-leaved trees, especially with beech and oak; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible excellent.

Cep or Penny Bun Boletus edulis

Bull. Cap 8–25cm; brown, often with whitish bloom at first, gradually lost on expanding to leave a white line at the margin; smooth and dry initially, becoming greasy, in wet weather slightly viscid, later polished. Stem 30–230×30–80mm, usually swollen towards the base; pallid, with white network or reticulum more noticeable towards the stem apex; robust. Flesh white, unchanging, flushed dirty straw-colour or vinaceous in cap; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white, becoming grey-yellow. Pores small and round; white at first, discolouring yellow then greenishyellow with age. Spores 14–17×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in coniferous, broad-leaved, or mixed woodland; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible excellent. Note this is perhaps the most important edible mushroom because of its excellent flavour, large weight and size, and the way it keeps its flavour when dried. Young, fresh specimens are lovely raw in salads, more mature specimens should be cooked. The pores and tubes should be discarded before cooking if they have discoloured. Boletus edulis can often be found on sale in markets, and commercially it is available dried.

Bay Bolete Boletus badius

(Fr.) Fr. syn. Xerocomus badius (Fr.) E.-J. Gilbert Cap 4–14cm across; bay to dark brick-colour, later flushed ochraceous-brown; downy when young, soon becoming smooth and polished, slightly viscid in wet weather. Stem 45–125×8–40mm; concolorous with cap or paler; surface slightly cottony. Flesh white to lemon-yellow on cutting, becoming faintly blue, particularly in stem apex and above tubes, vinaceous in cap; taste and smell mild, mushroomy. Tubes cream to lemon-yellow, bruising bluish-green. Pores large, readily bruising blue-green. Spores 13–15×4.5– 5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in mixed woods; autumn. Very common throughout British Isles. Edible very good and usually free of maggots.

Oak Bolete Boletus appendiculatus

Schaeff. Cap 8–16cm across; ochraceous with distinct bay to rusty flush, particularly near the centre; irregular cracking may occur at centre. Stem 110–125×34–37mm; lemon-yellow at apex, darker below, often with red patches and with a fine cream to pale lemon-yellow net. Flesh white to pale yellow, turning blue on cutting at apex of stem, often ochraceous-rust at base; taste pleasant, smell like puffballs. Tubes lemonyellow, bruising faintly greenish-blue. Pores initially lemon-yellow, becoming slightly rusty and expanding with age. Spores 12–15×3.5–4.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, associated with oak in the south of England; late summer to early autumn. Rare, more frequent in the south of England. Edible excellent.

Summer Bolete Boletus reticulatus

Schaeff. Pers. syn. B. aestivalis (Paulet) Fr. Cap 7–20cm across; pale straw-colour to pale walnut-brown; dry, soon becoming rough and cracking into small scales, particularly at centre. Stem 60–150×20–50mm; covered in a dense white network; robust. Flesh white throughout, sometimes with slight yellowish tinges; smell and taste strong but pleasant. Tubes white then greenish-yellow. Pores small, round, colouring similar to tubes. Spores 13–15×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with beech and oak; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible excellent.

Boletus radicans

Pers. Cap 8–16cm across; dingy white to clay-buff with ochraceous tints and smokygrey margin, more ochraceous with age; downy at first, becoming smooth or cracking into small scales at centre. Stem 50–80×30–40mm, swollen towards the rooting base;

sometimes flushed reddish, lemon-yellow at apex, spotted rusty to dirty ochraceous near base, net straw-coloured and distinct near apex, disappearing below; robust. Flesh yellow then rapidly white in cap when cut, reacting similarly in stem but becoming pale blue, especially in apex, and rapidly fading; taste unpleasant or bitter, smell spicy. Tubes lemon-yellow, becoming blue when cut or bruised. Pores small, round; lemon-yellow, bruising blue. Spores 12–16×4.5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, particularly oak and beech; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible due to its bitterness. Note named B. albidus in my first book, but this name has now been declared illegitimate.

Iodine Bolete Boletus impolitus

Fr. Cap 5–15cm across; clay-coloured, sometimes with tawny or olive tints, with pale grey hoariness at first; dry, slightly velvety then smooth. Stem 60–100×30–50mm; straw-coloured at apex, darker brown towards base; robust. Flesh pale lemon-yellow with deeper yellow region above the pores, becoming faintly pink or very rarely faintly blue after some time on cutting; taste mild, smell of iodoform in stem base. Tubes lemon-yellow then lemon-chrome. Pores small, colouring similar to tubes. Spores 10–14×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat on grassy tracks in broad-leaved woods, particularly with oak, often on clay soils; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Peppery Bolete Chalciporus piperatus

(Bull.) Bataille syn. Boletus piperatus Bull. Cap 3–7cm across; cinnamon to sienna; at first slightly viscid then dry, smooth, and shiny. Stem 40–75×5–20mm, slender, tapering towards base; concolorous with cap, distinctive lemon-chrome at base. Flesh flushed red above tubes and under cuticle, intensely lemon-chrome in stem base; taste peppery, smell not distinctive. Tubes decurrent or subdecurrent; cinnamon then rust, not bruising. Pores angular; rich rust-coloured at maturity. Spores 8–11×3–4μ, subfusiform to elliptical. Spore print walnut-brown, flushed ochraceous-cinnamon. Habitat variable, particularly in birch scrub or mixed pine and birch on sandy soil; late summer to autumn. Common. Edible with caution, very hot and peppery.

Boletus fragrans

Vittad. Cap 5–12cm across; convex then expanded; umber to date-brown, velvety at first, becoming smooth. Stem 70–90×30–50mm, spindle-shaped; apex yellow, becoming flushed red below, whitish above the base in young specimens, extreme base black. Flesh lemon-yellow, flushed red below cap cuticle, bluing only after several hours; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes lemon-yellow, sometimes with olivaceous flush. Pores lemon-yellow at first then chrome-yellow, bruising faintly bluish. Spores 9–16×4.5–6.5μ, elliptical. Spore print olivaceous. Habitat deciduous woods; autumn. Very rare. Edible.

Deceiving Bolete Boletus queletii Schulzer

Cap 5–15cm across; red-brown to brick, bruising bluish-black on handling; minutely pruinose at first, particularly towards the margin, becoming more polished. Stem 70– 100×25–45mm; yellow, flushed with coral from apex to middle and minutely dotted with red or orange, more red towards base. Flesh lemon-yellow in cap, immediately turning blue on cutting, sometimes with a red line above tubes, base of stem blackishpurple; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes dirty ochre, becoming bluish-olivaceous on cutting. Pores initially peach, becoming more orange then rusty, with a pale zone at margin, bruising dark blue. Spores 12–14×5.5–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially beech and oak in south-east England; autumn. Rare. Edible.

Suede Bolete Boletus subtomentosus

L. syn. Xercomus subtomentosus (L.) Quél. syn. B. lanatus Rostk. Cap 4–10cm across; fulvous to pale sepia, darkening where rubbed or bruised, surface immediately yellowish- or bluish-green when treated with ammonia solution, then fading; very velvety. Stem up to 80×10–16mm; pale at apex, yellow towards middle with a wide, coarse, irregular network of dark brick-coloured veins, paler again towards the base. Flesh white in cap with a date-brown line beneath the cuticle, rust above tubes, flushed lemon-yellow in base of stem, bluing hardly or not at all on cutting; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-chrome, bluing on exposure to air. Pores large, angular, colouring similar to tubes, bruising blue on handling, then fading. Spores 9– 11.5×3.5–4.5μ, subfusiform-elliptical. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in broad-leaved and mixed woods, particularly with birch; autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Boletus legaliae

Pilát syn. B. splendidus C. Martin Cap 5–14cm across; initially whitish or milky coffee-coloured then grey-olivaceous with a flush of red, becoming more intense with age, particularly at the margin, bruising blue only after rough handling. Stem 80– 160×20–40mm; orange above the red central zone, lower half lemon-yellow or coral, with an orange net at apex which is gradually lost towards the base, bruising blue. Flesh white to pale lemon, discolouring blue-green and red in the base of the stem when cut; taste unpleasant, smell spicy. Tubes lemon-chrome, bruising blue. Pores small, orange-red, becoming darker red with age, lighter at margin. Spores 10.5– 12.5×4.5–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with oaks; summer. Uncommon. Poisonous. Note the name B. satanoides, which I used in my first book, is so vaguely defined that most mycologists now reject it entirely.

Inkstain Bolete Boletus pulverulentus

Opat. syn. Xerocomus pulverulentus (Opat.) E.-J. Gilbert Cap 4–9cm across; drab, walnut-brown or milky coffee, often variously flushed red, olive, or purplish; initially downy then smooth, rapidly bruising blue to almost black on handling. Stem 50– 65×8–14mm; lemon-chrome or lemon-yellow at apex, elsewhere brownish, becoming streaked blood-red, punctate, bruising dark blue and finally black. Flesh lemonyellow, turning blue immediately on cutting; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes bright lemon-yellow, bruising dark blue. Pores dark sulphur-yellow, bruising dark blue. Spores 10–14×3.5–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in grassy rides of broad-leaved woods, particularly with oak; autumn. Occasional. Edible good.

Lurid Bolete Boletus luridus

Schaeff. Cap 6–14cm across; walnut-brown or olive-brown with rusty or bay tints, bruising dark brownish or blue-black; slightly downy at first, becoming smooth and polished. Stem 80–140×10–30mm; yellowish-red with orange-red net, bruising blue. Flesh lemon-yellow in cap, soon becoming greenish-blue to dark blue on cutting, with a persistent red line above tubes, lemon in stem and blackish-red in stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes yellowish-green, blue on cutting. Pores small, orangered, more yellow at margin, bruising dark blue. Spores 11–15×4.5–6.5μ, subfusiform to broadly elliptical. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, particularly with oak or beech and on calcareous soils; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible when cooked, but has been known to cause gastric upsets.

Satan’s or Devil’s Bolete Boletus satanas

Lenz Cap 8–25cm across; almost white, flushed buff or sepia, frequently with faint red flush at margin, becoming flushed ochre with age, bruising brown with handling; slightly downy then smooth with minute cracks, particularly at centre. Stem 60– 90×50–110mm, often markedly swollen at base; saffron-orange to lemon-chrome at apex, red with ochre flush at base, covered with red net. Flesh pale straw-coloured to saffron in cap, white or pale lemon in stem, gradually pale sky-blue on cutting, with rusty patches in stem, dirty buff fading to greenish-blue or blotched with red at stem base; taste and smell unpleasant. Tubes yellowish-green then dark olivaceous, blue on cutting. Pores small, round; blood-red, orange towards margin, finally tinged orange, bruising greenish. Spores 11–14×4.5–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees, especially beech and oak, usually on calcareous soil; summer. Rare on Red Data List. Poisonous possibly deadly.

Boletus rubellus

Krombh. syn. Xerocomus rubellus (Krombh.) Quél. Cap 3–6cm across; red, scarlet, or vinaceous, with a faint olivaceous flush near the margin or disc. Stem slender and often very long, up to 75mm; lemon-yellow or lemon-chrome at apex, red elsewhere, becoming rusty towards the base. Flesh dirty buff or straw-coloured in cap, lemonyellow in stem apex, vinaceous or blood-red below and brownish at the base, bluing slowly over the tubes; taste and smell not distinct. Tubes lemon-yellow, flushed greenish when older. Pores large, angular; colouring similar to the tubes, bruising blue. Spores 11–14×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees in grass; autumn. Rare. Edible but not good. Note I published this picture under the name B. versicolor Rostk. in my first book, but this name is now considered illegitimate.

Boletus luridiformis

Rostk. syn. B. erythropus sensu auct. mult. Cap 8–20cm across; bay to walnut-brown with olivaceous tints, tending to yellowish-ochre towards the margin, bruising blueblack; slightly velvety at first, soon becoming smooth, sometimes slightly viscid when wet. Stem 45–145×20–50mm; yellowish, densely covered in red dots; robust. Flesh yellow, immediately dark blue on cutting; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow then greenish, turning dark blue on cutting. Pores small, round; orangered, becoming rusty with age, readily bruising dark blue to black. Spores 12–15×4– 6μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in coniferous, broadleaved, and mixed woodland; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible only when cooked, can cause gastric upsets. Note this dramatically coloured fungus was previously named B. erythropus and commonly reported.

Oldrose Bolete Boletus rhodopurpureus

Smotl. Cap 7–20cm across; whitish or buff to pinky ochre, easily bruising and marking dark blue; slightly velvety, sometimes cracking at centre. Stem 60–90×18– 55mm; lemon-yellow, flushed reddish towards base with a red net, bruising dark violet to blackish. Flesh lemon, flushed greenish-yellow, rapidly deep blue on cutting then black, stem base blood-red then beetroot; taste indistinct, smell fruity. Tubes lemon-yellow then greenish-yellow, bruising blue. Pores small; orange then flushed red, becoming olivaceous-buff with age. Spores 10.5–13.5×4–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous-brown. Habitat in birch scrub and mixed and broad-leaved woodland; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous. Note in my first book I used the name B. purpureus, but this name has now been abandoned because it has been used for many different taxa.

Boletus rhodoxanthus

(Krombh.) Kallenb. Cap 6–20cm across, convex; whitish-pink, more pink at margin, discolouring yellowish with age, covered in pinkish-grey slime, but appearing reddish-pink where this has been removed in handling. Stem 50–150×20–50mm; purple-red net on an orange-yellow ground, net becoming indistinct at the olive-grey base. Flesh lemon-yellow, turning light blue in the cap on cutting, eventually fading to yellow; taste sweet, smell strong, fungusy. Tubes yellow, bluing slightly on cutting. Pores golden-yellow, becoming bright blood-red. Spores 10–16×4–5.5μ, olive-brown. Spore print olivaceous. Habitat in beech and oak woods; autumn. Extinct on Red Data List in Britain; this collection was made in Corsica. Poisonous.

Wood Bolete Buchwaldoboletus lignicola

(Kallenb.) Pilát syn. Boletus lignicola Kallenb. Cap 4–10cm across, convex, margin inrolled; reddish-brown to yellow-brown or rust; subtomentose, floccose at first then smooth. Tubes decurrent on stem; bright yellow. Pores bright yellow, bruising bluegreen. Stem 30–80×5–25mm, often eccentric, tapered towards base; rust-yellow to brown; dry, pulverulent. Flesh pale lemon-yellow; firm; smell faint, aromatic; taste pleasant. Spores 6.5–9×2.8–3.8μ, elliptical. Spore print olive. Habitat on stumps or trunks of conifers, exceptionally on sawdust. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List; summer to early autumn. Said to be edible but should be left intact due to rarity.

Bitter Beech Bolete Boletus calopus

Pers. Cap 5–14cm across; smoke-grey or flushed olivaceous; slightly downy then smooth, sometimes slightly cracked or scaly at centre with age. Stem 70–90×35– 45mm; lemon-yellow at apex, elsewhere red, although frequently brown at base, covered with white or straw-coloured network; robust. Flesh pale straw-coloured to pale lemon-yellow, becoming whitish immediately on cutting then flushed blue, especially in the stem apex and over the tubes, sometimes patchily red at the base of the stem; taste bitter, smell strong. Tubes dirty sulphur-yellow, bruising bluish-green. Pores colouring similar to tubes, also bruising bluish-green. Spores 12–16×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in mixed woodland, particularly with beech or oak; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible very bitter.

Red Cracking Bolete Boletus chrysenteron

Bull. syn. Xerocomus chrysenteron (Bull.) Quél. Cap 4–11cm across; dingy brown to pale sepia or buff with olivaceous flush, or flushed pinkish-red, particularly late in the season; slightly velvety then smooth, later cracking irregularly to show coral flesh, which makes this species easily recognizable. Stem 40–80×10–15mm; lemon-yellow at apex, red from middle downwards, becoming more buff towards base. Flesh cream or lemon-yellow in cap, brown to reddish-buff in stem, usually pale red just below cap, turning slightly blue above tubes and in base of stem, but only slowly; taste and smell slight, not distinctive. Tubes sulphur- or lemon-yellow, becoming greenish with age. Pores large, angular; colouring similar to tubes and sometimes bruising greenish. Spores 12–15×3.5–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat with broad-leaved trees; autumn. Widespread, once considered to be common but confused with B. cisalpinus (Simonini, Ladurner & Peintner) Watling & A. Hills and B. declivitatum (C. Martin) Watling. Edible but mushy when cooked.

Matt Bolete Boletus pruinatus

Fr. & Hök Cap 4–10cm across; dark red-brown or chestnut when young, becoming lighter and more pink with age; hoary bloom, which is destroyed by handling. Stem 90–100×20–30mm; lemon-yellow or yellow-chrome at apex, irregularly covered with fine blood-red dots, base more red, arising from apricot-coloured mycelium. Flesh lemon-chrome throughout, darker brown at base, slowly turning blue-green on cutting; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow when young, becoming bluish with age. Pores small, colouring similar to tubes. Spores 11.5–14×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in mixed broad-leaved woods, especially when beech is present; summer and autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Boletus porosporus

G. Moreno & Bon syn. Xerocomus porosporus (G. Moreno & Bon) Contu Cap up to 8cm across; dark olive-brown then sepia to cigar-brown; at first with yellow down that darkens on bruising, later cracking to show yellowish flesh, particularly at centre. Stem 90–100×20–30mm; apex lemon-chrome, sometimes with brown to blood-red zone, slightly ribbed with olivaceous-brown, darkening when bruised. Flesh pale lemon-yellow to buff in cap, stem apex lemon-chrome, base dark brick or vinaceous, finally becoming blue after cutting, particularly above the tubes; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow, finally olivaceous, bruising blue. Pores compound, angular; lemon-yellow, darkening with age, bruising blue. Spores 13–15×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform, with distinct truncate pore (only visible on mature spores), making this species unique among European boletes. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in mixed deciduous woods, particularly with oak; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not recommended.

Tawny Bolete Boletus moravicus

Vacek. syn. B. leonis D.A. Reid syn. Xerocomus moravicus (Vacek.) Herink Cap 3– 6cm across; bright sienna or ochre, becoming buff; smooth, with irregularly downy patches, particularly at centre. Stem 30–75×90–135mm, with rooting base; cream at the apex, more ochraceous below. Flesh cream, with lemon-yellow tinge towards the base of the stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes greenish-yellow or lemonyellow. Pores lemon-chrome, unchanging. Spores 9–13×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform to elliptical. Spore print ochraceous-citrine. Habitat in parkland with oak; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Parasitic Bolete Pseudoboletus parasiticus

(Bull.) Šutara syn. Boletus parasiticus Bull. syn. Xerocomus parasiticus (Bull.) Quél. Cap 2–4cm across; olivaceous-straw to sienna; slightly downy. Stem up to 40×10mm, tapering towards base, often curved around or beneath host; concolorous with cap. Flesh pale lemon-yellow, unchanging, flushed rust near stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes adnate to subdecurrent; lemon-yellow to ochraceous or even rust-coloured. Pores lemon-yellow, becoming rust. Spores 11–21×3.5–5μ, elongate. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat unique, on Scleroderma citrinum (here), and therefore easily recognized; autumn. Occasional, sometimes locally common. Edible.

Gilded Bolete Aureoboletus gentilis

(Quél.) Pouzar syn. A. cramesinus (Singer) Watling Cap 2.5–5cm across; ochraceouspeach to dirty pink; surface viscid. Stem 50–80×5–10mm, narrowing towards pointed base, more or less rooting; yellow at apex; flushed reddish-buff or pink towards base; smooth and viscid. Flesh whitish, often pinkish under cap disc and lemon-yellow over the tubes; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes lemon-chrome at first, then becoming golden-yellow, unchanging on bruising. Pores colouring similar to the tubes. Spores 11–15×4.5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous-buff. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, occasionally on old bonfire sites; late summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Alder Bolete Gyrodon lividus

Bull. (Sacc.) syn. Uloporus lividus (Bull.) Quél. Cap 4–10cm across; straw-coloured or pale buff, often with a tinge of rust; viscid at first, becoming dry. Stem 30–70×10– 20mm; concolorous with cap or paler, later flushed vinaceous-brown. Flesh whitishlemon in cap, becoming blue above the tubes and in the stem apex, rusty towards the stem base; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes bright sulphur-yellow, bruising greenish-blue then fading to brown. Pores large, angular; colouring similar to tubes, bruising dark blue-grey. Spores 4.5–6×3–4μ, elliptical to ovate. Spore print olivaceous-brown. Habitat with alders, solitary or often joined at the stem to several others in tufts; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Dusky Bolete Porphyrellus porphyrosporus

(Fr.) Hök & E.-J. Gilbert syn. P. pseudoscaber Singer Cap 5–15cm across; sepia to walnut-brown with paler margin, bruising darker on handling; velvety at first, becoming smooth. Stem 40–150×10–35mm; concolorous with cap, becoming more olivaceous towards the base, sometimes with lilaceous flush; initially velvety then smooth. Flesh buff to straw-coloured, becoming vinaceous then grey-olivaceous on cutting, with a touch of blue-green above tubes and in stem apex; taste and smell sour and unpleasant. Tubes vinaceous-buff, bruising bluish-green. Pores colouring similar to tubes, ochraceous or sienna around mouth. Spores 12–16×5–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print pale brown-vinaceous. Habitat with broad-leaved trees and conifers; late summer and autumn. Rare. Edible but not good.

Old Man of the Woods Strobilomyces strobilaceus

(Scop.) Berk. syn. S. floccopus (Vahl) P. Karst. Cap 5–12cm across; smoke-grey with white patches at first, soon cigar-brown or mouse-grey to olivaceous-black; covered in large, thick, concolorous, wart-like scales, some overhanging the margin, giving a ragged edge. Stem 80–120×10–20mm; mouse-grey to white above, concolorous with cap below; covered in large scales. Flesh white, gradually vinaceous to coral then brown on cutting; firm; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes white to grey, bruising coral then red. Pores large, angular, colouring similar to the tubes. Spores 10– 12×8.5–11μ, subglobose to broadly elliptical, reticulately ornamented. Spore print violaceous-black. Habitat in broad-leaved or coniferous woods; early autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible when still young but not worthwhile. Note field photograph (d) was taken by Geoffrey Kibby.

Gyroporus cyanescens

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 6–12cm across; pale ochre, buff or dingy white, becoming more ochre, bruising blue or rusty; coarsely velvety, margin often shaggy. Stem 50– 100×20–85mm; pale yellow at apex, gradually becoming concolorous with cap below; becoming hollow, often cracking to give ring-like zones. Flesh white, instantly bluegreen on cutting; firm; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes white at first then pale yellow, flushed sulphur- or greenish-yellow with age. Pores free; colouring similar to the tubes, bruising blue. Spores 9–11×4.5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print pale strawcolour. Habitat often with birch or spruce and on heaths; summer to late autumn. Rare. Edible good.

Chestnut Bolete Gyroporus castaneus

(Bull.) Quél. Cap 3–10cm across; cinnamon to rusty or tawny, darkening with age; slightly downy at first, later smooth. Stem 35–95×11–30mm; concolorous with cap, often paler at apex; becoming hollow. Flesh white, unchanging; firm; taste mild and nutty-sweetish, smell slight. Tubes white then straw, becoming darker with age. Pores free; colouring similar to tubes, not bruising. Spores 8–11×4.5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print pale straw. Habitat usually with oak; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible excellent.

Bitter Bolete Tylopilus felleus

(Bull.) P. Karst. Cap 6–12cm across; fulvous to walnut-brown; slightly downy at first, later smooth. Stem 70–100×20–30mm, 60mm at base; creamy ochre, lighter at apex, covered in a coarse, walnut-brown network. Flesh white to cream, clay-pink beneath cap cuticle; soft; taste very bitter, like bile, smell slightly unpleasant. Tubes slightly salmon or coral. Pores colouring similar to tubes, bruising brownish. Spores 11– 15×4–5μ, fusiform. Spore print clay-pink to vinaceous. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woodland; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible due to bitter taste.

LECCINUM Closely related to Boletus (here). The caps are dry, sometimes with the cuticle overhanging the edge. The stems are tall and covered with woolly scales, usually discolouring darker with age. Cut one or two of each collection in half, bruise the flesh with the knife, and leave for three to twenty minutes. Observe any discolouration; this test is important for identification.

Leccinum piceinum

Pilát & Dermek Cap 7–20cm across, the margin overhanging the pores; brick-red to brownish-red; firm, dry to very slightly viscid in wet weather. Stem up to 250×15– 40mm; white or greyish, covered with woolly, grey-brown scales. Flesh white then dark vinaceous, finally blackish; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white to buff, vinaceous on cutting. Pores small; dark blackish-grey when young, later pale ochraceous, bruising vinaceous. Spores 12.5–15×4–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Habitat with spruce or in open woodland; summer to autumn. Not found in Britain. Edible good. Note this is very similar to L. quercinum (opposite) but found in a different habitat.

Leccinum aurantiacum

(Bull.) Gray Cap 8–16cm across, cuticle overhanging as an irregular skirt up to 3mm deep; orange to apricot or brown; smooth or slightly downy-fibrillose. Stem 80– 140×18–48mm; covered in scales, which are white at first, gradually rusty then dark brown. Flesh cream, turning vinaceous in cap and stem base, sepia elsewhere; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white, vinaceous on exposure. Pores very small; white or cream, bruising vinaceous. Spores 14–16.5×4–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous-buff. Habitat with aspen; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Slate Bolete Leccinum duriusculum

(Kalchbr.) Singer Cap 6–15cm across, cuticle overhanging tubes; light cinnamonbuff, slightly downy to somewhat stippled, becoming smoother with age. Stem 80– 140×20–35mm; white at apex, buff towards the base, ornamented with black or brown-black scales, often tinged blue-green near the base. Flesh white, pink, or peach in the cap, vinaceous-grey in the stem apex and with touches of blue-green fading brownish in the stem base, finally blotched blackish throughout; firm; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes whitish then pale yellowish. Pores small, round; whitish, bruising olive-brown. Spores 14.5–16×4.5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print walnutbrown. Habitat with aspen and other poplars; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Orange Oak Bolete Leccinum quercinum

(Pilát) Pilát & Dermek Cap 6–15cm across, margin overhanging the pores; chestnutto date-brown then more rusty; fibrillose-scaly, becoming smooth. Stem 110– 180×20–35mm; pale brown to buff at apex with whitish scales, becoming pale brown, whitish to buff towards base with whitish scales, becoming rusty or purplish-date, darkening on handling. Flesh white to cream, rapidly pink or vinaceous in cap, more grey in the stem, sometimes with a slight green flush in the base; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white to pale buff, becoming vinaceous or cigar-brown. Pores small, colouring similar to tubes. Spores 12–15×3.5–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print walnutbrown. Habitat with oak; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Saffron Bolete Leccinum crocipodium

(Letell.) Watling Cap 4–11cm across, margin slightly overhanging tubes; cinnamon to fulvous, tinged yellow or olivaceous; downy, soon conspicuously cracked. Stem 60– 120×18–24mm; lemon-yellow at apex, covered in yellow scales which become buff to cinnamon and finally mouse-grey, darkening on handling. Flesh pale yellow then rapidly brick-colour, vinaceous, or greyish, finally black throughout; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow, becoming flushed ochre or sienna. Pores minute; colouring similar to tubes, bruising darker. Spores 12–17.5×4.5–6μ, elliptical-subfusiform. Spore print ochre with olivaceous flush. Habitat with oak; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.

Orange Birch Bolete Leccinum versipelle

(Fr. & Hök) Snell Cap 8–20cm across, the margin overhanging the pores; tawny orange; slightly downy at first, becoming smooth, dry to very slightly viscid. Stem up to 200×15–40mm; white or greyish, covered with woolly, brownish-black scales. Flesh white then dark vinaceous, blue-green in stem base, finally blackish; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white to buff, vinaceous on cutting. Pores small; mouse-grey at first, later ochraceous, bruising vinaceous. Spores 12.5–15×4–5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Habitat with birch in scrub or open woodland; summer to autumn. Common. Edible good.

Mottled Bolete Leccinum variicolor

Watling Cap 5–10cm across; stippled mouse-grey to dark brown; initially felty and dry, later smooth and slightly viscid. Stem 125–180×20–25mm; white with mousegrey scales, bruising greenish-yellow on handling. Flesh pink in the cap, intensely blue-green in stem base; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white or pale cream. Pores small, colouring similar to tubes, bruising pink or vinaceous. Spores 14–20×5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print walnut-brown with cinnamon flush. Habitat with birch; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Brown Birch Bolete Leccinum scabrum

(Bull.) Gray Cap 5–15cm across; fulvous, walnut-, or hazel-brown; dry, but tacky in wet weather. Stem 70–200×20–30mm; white to grey, covered with brownish-black scales, becoming darker towards the base. Flesh white, unchanging or flushing pale pink; very soft, watery; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white, becoming dirty ochraceous. Pores small; white at first, becoming dingy, bruising ochraceous. Spores 14–20×5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print walnut-brown. Habitat with birch; summer to autumn. Common. Edible but not worthwhile. Note photograph (b) shows a more robust, pale form, which was formerly called L. avellaneum (Blum) Bon. It is very rare, and has now been included under L. scabrum.

Ghost Bolete Leccinum holopus

(Rostk.) Watling Cap 4–10cm across; dirty white to pale buff, becoming darker and flushed greenish with age; smooth, viscid when fresh. Stem 80–110×8–20mm; white or pale buff, covered with white scales, discolouring cinnamon with age. Flesh white, blue-green in stem base, often pink elsewhere or unchanging; soft; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white to clay-buff. Pores white to buff, flushed cinnamon with age or on bruising. Spores 17.5–20×5.5–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print cinnamonochraceous-buff. Habitat amongst sphagnum under birch; autumn. Rare. Edible but not worthwhile.

Blushing Bolete Leccinum roseofractum

Watling syn. L. pulchrum Lannoy & Estadès Cap 7–13cm across; umber to brownishblack; greasy then dry, splitting into small scales at the centre. Stem 80×25mm; white with mouse-grey scales, gradually darkening towards the base. Flesh white, turning coral then vinaceous on cutting; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes white, becoming flushed slightly ochraceous. Pores colouring similar to tubes. Spores 15.5– 17.5×5–5.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Habitat with birch; autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Leccinum cyaneobasileucum

Lannoy & Estadès syn. L. brunneogriseolum Lannoy & Estadès Cap 5–15cm across; hazel-, fulvous-, or walnut-brown; dry, but may be tacky in wet weather. Stem 70– 200×8–20mm; white to grey, covered in brownish scales. Flesh white, flushing pale pink, sometimes blue-green; soft; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white. Pores small; white then dingy. Spores 14–18×5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print walnut-brown. Habitat with birch in moss but not normally in sphagnum; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile. Note the name L. brunneogriseolum is more appropriate, but unfortunately the earlier name, based on albino material, takes precedence; both forms are shown, the albino form (h) photographed by Geoffrey Kibby. In the past this fungus was often referred to as L. scabrum.

Hazel Bolete Leccinum pseudoscabrum

(Kallenb.) μutara syn. L. carpini (R. Schulz) D.A. Reid Cap 3–9cm across; pale buff, walnut-brown or tawny olive; slightly wrinkled, often cracked. Stem 80–90×8–11mm, punctate with pale buff scales at apex, darker brown scales below, blackening on handling. Flesh white to straw-coloured in stem, immediately blue-spotted in base, rose or vinaceous in cap and stem apex, rapidly blackening throughout. Tubes white or cream, rapidly coral or vinaceous on cutting, then blackening. Pores small; white at first then yellowish-buff, blackening on handling. Spores 15–19×5–6μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Cap surface of erect chains of globose to barrel-shaped segments. Habitat with hazel or hornbeam, occasionally with oak; summer. Uncommon. Edible but not worthwhile.

Leccinum rigidipes

P.D. Orton Cap 7–12cm across; buff to ochraceous with darker disc; slightly downy or smooth with irregular small scales. Stem 60–100×20–35mm; apex covered in brown scales, gradually becoming darker below. Flesh white, flushing coral in cap; firm; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes white, becoming buff. Pores small; colouring similar to tubes, bruising dark ochraceous. Spores 18–19×6–6.5μ, subfusiform. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Habitat on wet heaths in association with birch; summer to autumn. Rare. Edible but not worthwhile. Note in my first book this was named L. oxydabile, a misapplied name.

SUILLUS These are closely related to Boletus (here), but distinguished by mostly having distinctly glutinous caps. The stems of many of the species have rings, others have small spots or nets on the surface. They are all terrestrial and grow in association with conifers.

Larch Bolete Suillus grevillei

(Klotzsch) Singer syn. Boletus elegans Schumach Cap 3–10cm across; yellow to chrome, becoming flushed rust; viscid with pale lemon gluten, shiny when dry. Stem 50–70×15–20mm; yellow and punctate or occasionally netted above whitish ring, flushed cinnamon below. Flesh pale yellow in cap, darker lemon-chrome in the stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes pale yellow. Pores small, angular; lemonyellow, becoming flushed sienna, bruising rust. Spores 8–11×3–4μ, subfusiformelliptical. Spore print ochre to sienna. Habitat with larch; late summer to autumn. Common. Edible.

Slippery Jack Suillus luteus

(L.) Roussel Cap 5–12cm across; chestnut to sepia, covered in brown gluten, becoming more rust-coloured with age; shiny on drying. Stem 50–100×20–30mm; pale straw-coloured at apex, rapidly discoloured with darkening, glandular dots, white below, becoming vinaceous-brown with age; large white to cream ring darkens to sepia. Flesh white, often vinaceous at base of stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow to straw-colour. Pores round; colouring similar to tubes, becoming flushed sienna. Spores 7–10×3–3.5μ, subfusiform to elongate-elliptical. Spore print clay to ochraceous. Habitat with conifers, usually Scots pine; autumn. Common. Edible.

Velvet Bolete Suillus variegatus

(Sw.) Richon & Roze Cap 6–13cm across; rusty-tawny or ochraceous to olivaceous, speckled with darker, small, flattened scales; initially slightly downy, becoming slightly greasy with age, tacky in wet weather. Stem 50–90×15–20mm; ochre, more yellow towards apex, flushed rust below. Flesh pale lemon in cap, more deeply coloured in stem base, sometimes tinged with blue throughout or above the tubes; taste slight, smell strong, fungusy. Tubes dark buff. Pores subangular, compound; ochre, tinted olivaceous at first, becoming more cinnamon. Spores 9–11×3–4μ, subfusoid-elongate to elliptical. Spore print walnut-brown. Habitat with conifers; late summer. Frequent. Edible.

Suillus collinitus

(Fr.) Kuntze syn. S. fluryi Huijsman Cap 3–10cm across; reddish-buff, overlaid with network of purplish-brown streaks. Stem 15–30×25–100mm, with pointed base; yellowish, covered in purplish-brown flecks. Flesh light yellow, flushed vinaceous immediately below cuticle and in stem base; taste indistinct, smell fungusy. Tubes lemon-yellow, unchanging. Pores small, irregular; initially pale yellow then yellowish-cinnamon. Spores 7.8–11×3.3–4.3μ, subcylindrical. Spore print ochraceous. Habitat in coniferous woodland; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Weeping Bolete Suillus granulatus

(L.) Roussel Cap 3–9cm across; rusty brown to yellowish; viscid, shiny when dry. Stem 35–80×7–10mm; lemon-yellow, flushed vinaceous to coral towards the base, the upper region covered in white or pale yellow granules which exude pale, milky droplets. Flesh lemon-yellow, lemon-chrome in stem, paler in cap; taste and smell slight but pleasant. Tubes buff to pale yellow, unchanging. Pores small; colouring similar to tubes, exuding pale, milky droplets. Spores 8–10×2.5–3.5μ, subfusiformelliptical. Spore print ochraceous-sienna. Habitat with conifers; late autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Suillus tridentinus

(Bres.) Singer Cap 5–12cm across, orange or reddish-brown with darker, adpressed, indistinct scales, covered in apricot gluten. Stem 40–75×12–20mm; white to yellow at apex, dotted brownish to vinaceous below, with rust-coloured net and white to yellowish ring. Flesh pale lemon-yellow with faint pinkish tinge in cap. gradually deepening on exposure to air; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes 1–5mm long, subdecurrent; yellow to orange, finally rust. Pores often compound, angular; yelloworange, becoming deep orange to rust-coloured with age. Spores 10–13×4–5μ, elliptical. Spore print dark straw-yellow with a sienna tint. Habitat with larch; autumn. Rare, more frequent in southern England. Unknown edibility.

Sticky Bolete Suillus viscidus

(L.) Roussel syn. S. aeruginascens Snell Cap 3–9cm across; pallid, livid white, or buff, often flushed olivaceous-buff, sometimes finally hazel; viscid, usually wrinkled. Stem 50–90×10–16mm; white to pale straw, flushed yellowish-green with greyish net above the whitish to olivaceous-buff ring, buff to ochraceous and viscid below. Flesh cream, flushed olivaceous at base, becoming very slightly bluish-green on cutting, particularly in the stem; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes more or less decurrent; dirty white, tinged sulphur-yellow or buff, flushed vinaceous at maturity. Pores large, angular; colouring similar to tubes, bruising dirty greenish. Spores 10–12×4–5.5μ, elliptical-subfusiform. Spore print walnut-brown with vinaceous flush. Habitat with larch; late summer to late autumn. Occasional. Edible but mediocre.

Hollow Bolete Suillus cavipes

(Opat.) A.H. Sm. & Thiers syn. Boletinus cavipes (Opat.) Kalchbr. Cap 3–8cm across, convex or slightly umbonate at first, then expanding, often becoming irregular or lobed at the margin; entirely golden-yellow or more often rusty-tawny to umber; suede-like or even felty-scaly. Stem 40–80×10–20mm; lemon-yellow with an indistinct net above the white, cottony ring, darker and covered in brownish fibrils below. Flesh whitish, tinged yellow in cap, sometimes pinkish in stem; taste and smell pleasant. Tubes short; yellowish then flushed olivaceous. Pores large, angular; concolorous with tubes. Spores 7–10×3–4μ, subcylindrical to fusiform. Spore print olivaceous. Habitat with larch; late summer. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List. Edible but poor.

Suillus flavidus

(Fr.) Presley Cap 2–6cm across, umbonate; straw-yellow to pale ochre; viscid. Stem 50–75×5–8mm; straw-yellow above gelatinous, tawny ring, dull yellow to buff below. Flesh pale yellow, becoming vinaceous when cut; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes decurrent; deep yellow. Pores large, angular; concolorous with tubes. Spores 8–10×3.5–4.5μ, subfusiform-elliptical. Spore print ochraceous walnut-brown. Habitat in wet mossy areas, usually with Scots pine and often in sphagnum; late summer. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.

Bovine Bolete Suillus bovinus

(L.) Roussel Cap 3–10cm across; clay-pink with cinnamon or ochraceous flush, distinct white margin; viscid with pale, sticky covering. Stem 40–60×5–8mm; siennayellow, arising from pink mycelium. Flesh whitish or yellowed, gradually becoming clay-pink, particularly in cap or stem base, rusty-coloured in stem; taste sweet, pleasant, smell fruity. Tubes grey-vinaceous. Pores large, angular, compound; olivaceous-buff at first then ochre, finally clay-buff with ochraceous flush. Spores 8– 10×3–4μ, elliptical-subfusiform. Spore print olivaceous walnut-brown. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially with Scots pine; late autumn. Common. Edible.

POLYPORES This is a catch-all name for brackets growing on trees. All have pores and tubes in place of gills. They may be annual or perennial and are usually hard and woody; most are inedible due to their tough texture. It is important to note the tree species that they are found on, as many polypores are tree-specific. It can be difficult to obtain spore prints, but spores sometimes drift up and settle on the top of the bracket, where their colour can be ascertained.

Dryad’s Saddle Polyporus squamosus

(Huds.) Fr. Bracket 5–60cm across, 0.5–5cm thick, initially circular or fan-shaped; upper surface ochraceous-cream, covered in dark brown, concentric, fibrillose scales. Stem 30–100×20–60mm, lateral or occasionally off-centre; blackish towards the base. Flesh 1–3cm thick; white; succulent when fresh, drying corky; smell strongly of meal. Tubes 5–10mm long, decurrent; white to creamy. Pores 1–3×0.5–1.5mm, irregular and angular; whitish to ochraceous-cream. Spores 10–15×4–5μ, oblong-elliptical; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat parasitic on deciduous trees, especially elm, beech, and sycamore, and causing an intensive white rot; spring to summer. Very common. Edible

Winter Polypore Polyporus brumalis

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 1–12cm across, convex, centrally depressed, margin often wavy and rolled under; grey-brown, rusty, or tobacco-brown; glabrous or minutely bristly, especially at the margin. Stem 20–40×2–7mm, usually central, often curved and thickened at base; yellow-brown or tawny. Flesh white; leathery. Tubes 0.5–2mm long, slightly decurrent; whitish at first, later pallid or tan. Pores 4–6 per mm, circular; white to cream. Spores 5–6×1.5–2.5μ, subcylindrical; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees, usually logs and fallen branches; winter through to at least early spring. Common. Not edible. Note P. ciliatus Fr. is very similar but fruits in summer; in my first book I published this picture as P. ciliatus.

Bay Polypore Polyporus durus

(Timmerm.) Kreisel syn. P. badius (Pers.) Schwein. Cap 5–20cm across, funnelshaped, often lopsided and lobed; pallid grey-brown at first then chestnut, darker at centre; very thin, viscid when fresh, drying smooth and shiny. Stem 20–35×5–15mm, usually eccentric; black at least at base; taste bitter. Tubes 0.5–2.5mm long, decurrent; white, later cream. Pores 4–7 per mm, circular; white to cream. Spores 5– 9×3–4μ, elongate-elliptical; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae without clamps. Habitat on dead or living deciduous trees; spring to autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Blackfoot Polypore Polyporus leptocephalus

(Jacq.) Fr. syn. P. varius (Pers.) Fr. Cap 1–10cm across, funnel-shaped or irregularly kidney-shaped, depressed above the point of attachment to the stem, margin wavy and often lobed; ochre-brown with fine, radial lines, becoming tobacco-brown with age. Stem 5–30×5–15mm, lateral or off-centre; basal part brown-black. Flesh white when fresh, drying cream-coloured and corky; tough and leathery; taste slightly bitter, smell faint and mushroomy. Tubes 0.5–2.5mm long, decurrent; white to cream. Pores 4–7 per mm, circular; white, becoming ochraceous-brown. Spores 5–9×3–4μ, elliptical to fusiform; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on dead or dying deciduous trees; late spring to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Polyporus melanopus

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–10cm across, convex with an even margin, then funnel-shaped or flattish with a wavy margin, which is rolled under in older specimens; bay-brown or purplish-brown with pale yellowish lines; smooth and velvety then very wrinkled, especially in centre. Stem 10–50×2–8mm, central or lateral; dark brown then black, white inside; velvety, becoming longitudinally wrinkled. Flesh about 1mm thick; white to cream. Tubes up to 3mm deep, decurrent in specimens with a lateral stem; cream to straw. Pores 4–7 per mm, round; whitish to cream at first then pale straw. Spores 6–8×3–4μ, cylindrical to oblong-elliptical; nonamyloid. Habitat on the ground or on buried wood; summer to early autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Polyporus arcularius

(Batsch) Fr. syn. Polyporus alveolaris (Bosc) Fr. Cap 1–9cm across, semicircular to ovate; pallid reddish-yellow; scaly at first. Stem short (about 10mm long) or absent, lateral; white or dull creamy. Flesh white. Tubes up to 5mm deep; whitish-tan. Pores 0.5–3mm across, hexagonal; white or dull creamy; decurrent. Spores 9–11×3–3.5μ, cylindrical, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees; late spring to summer, sometimes later. Not recorded for Britain. Edible but tough.

Tuberous Polypore Polyporus tuberaster

(Jacq.) Fr. syn. P. lentus Berk. syn. P. floccipes Rostk. Cap 2–10cm across, semicircular or circular, depressed above the point of attachment to the stem; yellowcream to light cinnamon, covered in hairy scales with darkening tips; thick and fleshy. Stem 5–60×5–15mm, lateral, off-centre or central; pallid, covered at the base in bundles of stiff, white, cottony hairs. Flesh white. Tubes very short, decurrent far down the stem; pallid to ochraceous-cream. Pores 2–2.5×1–1.5mm, polygonal or longitudinal; ochraceous-cream. Spores 9–14×4–5.5μ, elliptical-cylindrical; hyaline. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on fallen twigs of deciduous trees; spring. Occasional. Not edible. Note these specimens are rather small.

Umbrella Polypore Polyporus umbellatus

(Pers.) Fr. syn. Grifola umbellata (Pers.) Pilát Fruit body up to 50cm across, consisting of a thick, fleshy base from which repeated branching occurs, the ultimate branchlets ending in small, umbrella-like caps, each 1–4cm across and centrally depressed with a thin, wavy margin; caps initially grey-brown, becoming ochraceous with age, covered in fibrils or small fibrous scales. Stem thin, merging at the bottom into common, trunk-like base; flushed with cap colour. Flesh white; thin in cap, taste pleasant but with acrid aftertaste, smell pleasant when fresh. Tubes 1–1.5mm long, decurrent; straw-yellow. Pores 1 per mm, angular; whitish to straw-yellow. Spores 7– 10×3–4μ, cylindrical-elliptical. Habitat on the ground, arising from a subterranean sclerotium associated with roots of deciduous trees, especially oak; summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List. Edible.

Albatrellus ovinus

(Schaeff.) Murrill Cap 5–15cm across, usually single but sometimes several fused together, circular to more irregular when fused, convex at first, then becoming depressed, dish-shaped; white to pale buff or tan; dry, smooth, or a little scaly with age. Stem 20–75×10–30mm, slightly swollen, pointed at the base, usually central; white, bruising pinkish; smooth. Flesh 5–20mm thick; white, drying yellowish; firm; taste mild, sometimes slightly bitter, smell pleasant, fungusy, aromatic. Tubes 1–2mm deep, decurrent; white. Pores 2–4 per mm, angular; white to yellowish. Spores 3– 4.5×3–3.5μ, subglobose-elliptical. Spore print white. Hyphal structure monomitic. Habitat on the ground with conifers, especially silver fir, pine, and spruce; winter to summer, annual. Very rare in Britain, better known from Europe. Edible. Note A. confluens (Fr.) Kotlaba & Pouz. is similar but darker, orange-hued, and bitter.

Tiger’s Eye Coltricia perennis

(L.) Murrill Cap 2–8cm across, depressed at the centre; more or less zoned maroon, rusty-brown, ochraceous, and pale grey; upper surface finely velvety at first, then becoming smooth. Stem 15–35×2–10mm, usually central but occasionally fused to neighbouring fruit bodies; rusty brown; surface slightly velvety. Flesh brown; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes 0.5–3mm long, decurrent; umber. Pores 2–3 per mm, irregularly angular; cinnamon-brown, but covered at first by a whitish bloom. Spores 6–9×4–5μ, elliptical; ochraceous. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae thin-walled, brown, without clamp connections. Habitat along path sides in woods and on heaths, usually on sandy soil; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Bondarzewia montana

(Quél.) Singer Cap up to 11cm across, 1cm thick, convex, becoming flat and sunken, singly or several on a branched stem; purplish-brown or ochraceous-brown; scurfy or finely felty, becoming wrinkled. Stem up to 120×40mm, central or off-centre, rooting; brown; velvety. Flesh cream-coloured; firm, hard. Odour pleasant, nutlike. Tubes up to 2mm deep, often decurrent, continuous with flesh; cream-coloured. Pores 1–3 per mm, angular; surface cream. Spores 6–8×5–7μ, globose to subglobose, ornamented with irregular, short ridges; amyloid. Spore print white. Hyphal structure dimitic. Habitat on the roots of silver fir, especially at high elevations; autumn. Rare in mainland Europe, not recorded for Britain. Edible.

Hen of the Woods Grifola frondosa

(Dicks.) Gray Fruit body 15–40cm across, subglobose, consisting of a central, repeatedly branching stem, the branches ending in flattened, tongue-shaped caps, each 4–10cm across, 0.5–1cm thick, wavy at the margin; grey or olivaceous, drying brownish; leathery, the upper surface usually wrinkled. Stem cream or pale greyish. Flesh white; taste pleasant when young and fresh but soon acrid, smell reminiscent of mice. Tubes 2–3mm long, decurrent far down the stem; whitish. Pores 2 per mm, subcircular to slightly angular, larger and more irregular on the stem. Spores 5.5– 7×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat parasitic on broad-leaved trees, especially on oak and beech, fruiting at the extreme base of the trunk; autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Giant Polypore Meripilus giganteus

(Pers.) P. Karst. syn. Polyporus giganteus (Pers.) Fr. syn. Grifola gigantea (Pers.) Pilát Fruit body 50–80cm across, rosette-like, short stems from the common base ending in numerous flattened, fan-shaped caps, each 10–30cm across, 1–2cm thick; the upper surface concentrically zoned light and darker brown, covered in very fine, brown scales; radially grooved. Flesh white; soft, fibrous; taste slightly sour, smell pleasant. Tubes 4–6mm long, whitish. Pores 3–4 per mm, subcircular, often late in forming; whitish, bruising blackish. Spores 5.5–6.5×4.5–5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose, hyaline. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae without clamps. Habitat at the base of deciduous trees or stumps or arising from the roots some distance from them, usually on beech but sometimes also on oak; autumn. Common. Edible but can be a little bitter.

Cinnamon Bracket Hapalopilus nidulans

(Fr.) P. Karst. syn. H. rutilans (Pers.) P. Karst. Bracket 5–10×2–4cm, 1–4cm thick, fan-shaped; ochraceous to cinnamon, KOH stains all parts bright violaceous; upper surface downy at first, becoming smooth. Flesh cinnamon, paler towards the cuticle; smell sweetish. Tubes up to 10mm long; ochraceous. Pores 2–4 per mm, angular; ochraceous to cinnamon-brown. Spores 3.5–5×2–3μ, elliptical to cylindrical. Hyphal system monomitic; generative hyphae thin- to thick-walled, with clamp connections. Habitat on dead deciduous wood; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Dyer’s Mazegill Phaeolus schweinitzii

(Fr.) Pat. syn. Polyporus schweinitzii Fr. Fruit body sometimes forming amorphous cushions, more often subcircular, 10–30cm across, concave; dark sulphur-yellow, becoming rusty or dark brown, finally blackish with age; soft and spongy when fresh, drying fragile and light, concentrically grooved at first, rough, hairy. Stem very short, thick, merging into cap; brown; covered in tubes. Flesh rusty brown; fibrous. Tubes 3–6mm long, decurrent; concolorous with upper surface. Pores 0.3–2.5mm across, circular, angular, or irregular; yellow, olivaceous, or tinged rust, finally maroonbrown; often glistening in the light. Spores 5.5–7.5×3.5–4μ, ovate to elliptical; whitish, tinged yellowish. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae without clamps. Habitat parasitic on conifers, usually arising from the roots; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Cinnabar Polypore Pycnoporus cinnabarinus

(Jacq.) P. Karst. syn. Polyporus cinnabarina (Jacq.) P. Karst. Fruit body 3–11cm×2– 8cm, 0.5–1.5cm thick, semicircular or fan-shaped; bright red or orange-red, becoming less bright with age; leathery, drying corky, upper surface covered in fine, soft hairs when young, later smooth and slightly wrinkled. Tubes 2–6mm long; pale orange. Pores 2–3 per mm, circular or angular; cinnabar- or saffron-red. Spores 4.5–6×2– 2.5μ, oblong-elliptical; white. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on dead deciduous trees, especially cherry, beech, and birch; autumn. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List, possibly extinct in Britain; this collection was photographed in Germany. Not edible.

Zoned Rosette Podoscypha multizonata

(Berk. & Broome) Pat. syn. Thelephora multizonata Berk. & Broome Fruit body 5– 20cm across, rosette-like, with numerous thin, leathery, erect lobes arising from a stout common base; flesh-coloured to rich brown, zoned with darker bands. Flesh tough, leathery. Spore-bearing surface pale brown to greyish. Spores 4.5–6.5×4–5μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose; white. Gloeocystidia present in the hymenium as elongated, undulating, worm-like bodies with swollen base and refractive contents. Hyphal structure dimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on the ground in deciduous woods; early autumn to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Blushing Rosette Abortiporus biennis

(Bull.) Singer syn. Heteroporus biennis (Bull.) Lázaro Ibiza. Fruit body variable, irregularly top-shaped or rosette-like, or fused together into amorphous masses, 3– 9cm across, 0.5–1.5cm thick, flattened to concave; whitish, soon becoming pinkish; felty to downy. Tubes 2–6mm long, decurrent. Pores 1–2 per mm, angular and irregular, becoming maze-like; whitish, bruising reddish. Spores 4–7×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical-ovate to subglobose. Gloeocystidia present in the hymenium as long, undulating, worm-like bodies with refractive contents. In addition to the normal basidiospores the fungus also has similarly shaped chlamydospores in the flesh and hymenium. Habitat on the ground from roots or wood chips of deciduous trees; autumn, annual. Frequent. Not edible.

Chicken of the Woods or Sulphur Polypore Laetiporus sulphureus

(Bull.) Bondartsev & Singer syn. Polyporus sulphureus (Bull.) Fr. Bracket 10–40cm across, fan-shaped or irregularly semicircular, margin obtuse, usually in large, tiered groups; lemon-yellow or yellow-orange, drying pallid or straw-coloured, lower surface more yellow; thick and fleshy, upper surface uneven, lumpy, and wrinkled, suede-like. Flesh at first succulent, exuding a yellowish juice when squeezed, but becoming white and crumbly with age; taste pleasant, slightly sourish, smell strong, fungusy. Tubes 1.5–3mm long; sulphur-yellow. Pores 1–3 per mm, circular or ovate; sulphur-yellow. Spores 5–7×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical to broadly ovate; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae without clamp connections. Habitat on deciduous trees, usually oak but common also on yew, cherry, sweet chestnut, and willow; late spring to autumn (old material is often found in autumn). Common. Edible when young and fresh, considered a delicacy in Germany and North America.

Root Rot Heterobasidion annosum

(Fr.) Bref. Fruit body variable in shape, frequently forming large, resupinate patches or irregular knobbly brackets 5–30cm×3–15cm across, 1–2cm thick, margin thin, acute; upper surface covered in a light brown crust, darkening with age, margin white; uneven and lumpy. Flesh whitish to pale wood-coloured; smell strongly fungusy. Tubes 2–5mm long in each annual layer. Pores 2–4 per mm, varying from circular to angular or irregularly elongated; white, browning with age. Spores 4.5–6×3.5–4.5μ, ovate; white. Hyphal structure dimitic; generative hyphae without clamp connections. Habitat parasitic on roots of coniferous trees, causing intensive rot and ultimately death of the infected tree; occasionally also infecting deciduous trees; all year, perennial. Very common, causing serious economic losses of conifers. Not edible. Note recent evidence suggests that this is probably a species complex.

Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica

(Schaeff.) With. Bracket 10–25cm across, 2–6cm thick, usually single, tongueshaped, sometimes on a short rudimentary stem; pinkish to orange-red, finally purplebrown; upper surface moist to tacky, rough with rudimentary pores, especially towards margin. Flesh mottled dark flesh-pink with lighter veining and blood-like sap, like raw meat; thick, succulent; taste sourish, smell pleasant. Tubes 10–15mm long, arising free from each other but adhering at maturity; whitish or yellowish. Pores 3 per mm, circular; whitish at first, bruising reddish-brown. Spores 4.5–6×3– 4μ, ovate; pallid-ochraceous. Habitat parasitic on oak, especially ancient trees, and sometimes on chestnut. Usually found at the base of the trunk; late summer to autumn. Common. Edible. Note causes brown rot of wood, and therefore has a certain economic value; the infected oak timber is of a darker, richer colour than normal and this ‘brown oak’ is much in demand in the furniture industry.

Ganoderma pfeifferi

Bres. Bracket 10–45cm across, up to 10cm thick, semicircular, margin obtuse, sessile or on a thick, rudimentary stem; red-brown or maroon to almost black, margin creamcoloured; upper surface concentrically grooved, glossy, as if varnished. Flesh pale wood-coloured; soft. Tubes 5–20mm long; rusty brown. Pores 2–2.5 per mm, circular; pale greyish, bruising brown. Spores 9–11×5–7μ, elliptical-ovate, truncate at one end; brown. Hyphal structure trimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on stumps of oak; all year. Uncommon. Not edible. Note this was named Ganoderma resinaceum in my first book.

Lacquered Bracket Ganoderma lucidum

(Curtis) P. Karst. Bracket 10–25cm across, 2–3cm thick, fan- or kidney-shaped, laterally attached; concentrically grooved and zoned ochraceous to orange-brown, later purple-brown to blackish; conspicuously glossy, as if varnished. Stem very short or up to 250×10–30mm, dark brown, glossy. Tubes 0.5–2cm long. Pores 4–5 per mm, circular; whitish then cream, finally tobacco-brown, darkening on bruising when fresh. Spores 7–13×6–8μ, elliptical-ovate with truncate end; rusty. Habitat on roots of deciduous trees; all year. Occasional. Not edible. Note the long-stemmed form is much sought after in China for its medicinal properties.

Southern Bracket Ganoderma australe

(Fr.) Pat. syn. G. adspersum (Schulz.) Donk Bracket 7–60×5–25cm across, 3–30cm thick, margin thick and obtuse; white in the growing season; upper surface with a thick, hard, knobbly, dark brown crust, concentrically ridged. Flesh dark brown; thicker than the tube-layer. Tubes stratified, reddish-brown. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular; white to pale yellow-ochre, discolouring when handled. Spores 8–13×5.5– 9μ, mostly about 10×6.5μ, ovate, truncate at one end; brown. Cocoa-like spore deposit is often very dense on the top of cap and the wood above it. Hyphal structure trimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections, but these are often difficult to demonstrate. Habitat parasitic on deciduous trees, usually on the lower part of the trunks; all year, perennial. Very common. Not edible.

Artist’s Bracket Ganoderma applanatum

(Pers.) Pat. Bracket 10–60×5–30cm across, 2–8cm thick, more or less flat, semicircular, margin acute; often pallid, grey-brown, umber or cocoa-coloured; hard and corky, glabrous, upper surface knobbly, concentrically grooved, covered with a hard, wrinkled crust. Flesh cinnamon-brown, thinner than the tube layer; taste bitter, smell mushroomy. Tubes 7–25mm long in each annual layer; brown. Pores 4–5 per mm, circular; white, bruising brown. Spores 6.5–8.5×4.5–6μ, mostly 8×5.5μ, ovateelliptical, truncate at one end; brown-ornamented. Hyphal structure trimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections, but these may be very difficult to demonstrate. Habitat on the trunks of deciduous trees, especially beech, where it causes an intensive white rot (occasionally found on pine); perennial. Occasional but until recently much confused with G. australe. Not edible.

Birch Polypore or Razorstrop Fungus Piptoporus betulinus

(Bull.) P. Karst. Bracket 10–20cm across, 2–6cm thick, subglobose, expanding to hoof-shaped, often with a rudimentary stem, margin thick, rounded; whitish when young, becoming fleshy grey-brown with age; upper surface with a thin, separable skin, smooth. Flesh white; rubbery; taste slightly bitter, smell strong and pleasant. Tubes 1.5–5mm long; white. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular; white at first then pale grey-brown. Spores 4.5–6×1.3–1.5μ, cylindrical to bean-shaped. Habitat on birch; all year, annual, but fruit bodies remain intact from one year into the next. Very common. Not edible. Note pieces of this fungus were carried by “Ötzi”, the 5,3oo-year-old ice mummy found in the Alps in 1991; he may have valued it for its antibiotic properties, but it can also be to used sharpen blades.

Fomitopsis pinicola

(Sw.) P. Karst. syn. Polyporus pinicola (Sw.) Fr. Fruit body 10–30×15–60cm across, 5–20cm thick, hoof-shaped; pallid, becoming straw-yellow and later reddish-brown; exuding clear droplets when fresh, glossy as if varnished, older parts covered in a hard, resinous skin. Flesh white to straw-yellow; corky to woody. Tubes 2–8mm long in each layer, cream to straw-yellow. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular; whitish, bruising or ageing cream to straw-yellow or apricot. Spores 6–18×3.5–4μ, cylindrical-elliptical. Habitat on conifers, less frequently on deciduous trees; perennial. Very rare in Britain, common in Europe. Not edible.

Hoof Fungus or Tinder Bracket Fomes fomentarius

(L.) J. Kickx Bracket 5–45×3–25cm across, 2–25cm thick, hoof-shaped, usually discrete but several may occur on the same trunk; upper surface with a hard, horny crust, concentrically grooved and zoned grey; hard and woody. Flesh cinnamonbrown; hard, fibrous; taste acrid, smell slightly fruity. Tubes 2–7mm long in each layer; rusty brown. Pores 2–3 per mm, circular; light grey-brown, darkening when handled. Spores 15–20×5–7μ, oblong-elliptical; lemon-yellow. Hyphal structure trimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat usually on birch in Scotland and northern England, but also on beech. Becoming more common in southern England, mostly on beech and sycamore; perennial, sporulating in spring to early summer. Common. Not edible. Note “Ötzi”, the 5,3oo-year-old ice mummy found in the Alps in 1991, carried this fungus, apparently as part of a fire-starting kit.

Rigidoporus ulmarius

(Sowerby) Imazeki Bracket 12–50×6–15cm across, 4–8cm thick; white to ochraceous, becoming dirty brown with age; hard and woody, surface knobbly, concentrically ridged. Tubes 1–5mm long in each layer; pinkish to orange when young, browning with age, each layer separated by a thin band of white flesh. Pores 5–8 per mm; red-orange, fading to clay-pink or buff with age. Spores 6–7.5μ in diameter, globose; pale yellow. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae without clamps. Habitat at the base of trunks of deciduous trees, usually elm; perennial. Occasional. Not edible.

Benzoin Bracket Ischnoderma resinosum

(Fr.) P. Karst. Bracket 5–30×3–15cm across, 1–3cm thick, margin acute, single or in small tiers; zoned rusty brown to almost black; upper surface very uneven and wrinkled, velvety, saturated in a rusty resin when young, concentrically ridged. Flesh pale brownish; succulent; smell pleasant. Tubes 6–10mm long; brown. Pores 2–3 per mm, angular; creamy white, later ochre-brown. Spores 5–6×2–2.5μ, subcylindrical; white. Hyphal structure dimitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on dead coniferous and deciduous trees; autumn to winter. Uncommon. Not edible. Note many authorities now consider this species as Ischnoderma benzoinum (Wahlenb.) P. Karst. if it is found on coniferous, not deciduous, wood.

Cinnamon Porecrust Phellinus ferreus

(Pers.) Bourdot & Galzin syn. Polyporus ferreus Pers. Fruit body resupinate, initially forming small cushions 1–2mm across, later fusing to form a crust up to 20cm across; cinnamon-yellow, becoming cinnamon-brown on fusing. Flesh rusty brown. Tubes 2–5mm long in each of the 4–5 layers; rusty brown. Pores 4–6 per mm, circular to angular; rusty cinnamon. Spores 5–6.5×2–2.5μ, cylindrical; hyaline. Setae fusiform with acute apex, thick-walled; dark brown. Habitat on dead branches of deciduous wood, especially on hazel, causing an intensive white rot which rapidly destroys the wood; perennial. Common. Not edible.

Phellinus pini

(Thore) A. Ames. Bracket 2–20cm across, 1–15cm thick; hoof- or fan-shaped, or shelf-like, generally curved; tawny to dark reddish-brown or brownish-black in age, margin often brighter; hard, crusty, rough or cracked, minutely hairy. Stem minute or absent. Flesh tough; tawny to tan or ochre. Tubes up to 6mm deep. Pores circular to angular; dingy yellow-tawny. Spores 4–6×3.5–5μ, globose or subglobose, smooth. Spore print brown. Habitat singly or in rows on living or recently dead coniferous trunks; perennial. Uncommon in Britain, most collections reported from Scotland. Not edible. Note this very destructive fungus attacks the heartwood of living trees, resulting in ‘conk rot’ and causing more timber losses than any other fungus.

Willow Bracket Phellinus igniarius

(L.) Quél. Bracket 10–40×2–8cm across, 5–20cm thick, hoof-shaped, margin obtuse; rusty brown when young, later grey, finally black, margin long remaining rusty brown and velvety; very hard and woody, concentrically ridged, surface becoming cracked. Flesh rusty brown; hard; taste sour or bitter, smell fungusy. Tubes 3–5mm long in each annual layer; rusty brown. Pores 4–6 per mm, circular; rusty cinnamon to maroon. Spores 4.5×6.5×4–5μ, more or less globose; white. Setae fusoid with acute apex, thick-walled, very dark brown. Habitat parasitic on deciduous trees, especially willow, causing intensive white rot; perennial, sporulating from spring to late autumn. Frequent. Not edible. Note this is possibly a complex of species not yet fully resolved.

Phellinus nigricans

(Fr.) P. Karst. Bracket 4–14cm×2–9cm across, 2–6cm thick at base, semicircular to elongated, triangular in section, no stem; zones of whitish, grey, or light cinnamon and concentrically grooved black zones; distinct crust, except on the margin, old parts deeply cracked, base often mossy. Tubes up to 5cm deep in layers; cinnamon to rusty brown, or filled with white mycelium in old parts. Pores 5–6 per mm, round; cinnamon to deep rusty brown or grey when weathered. Flesh rusty brown; up to 10mm thick, dense. Spores 6–7×5.5–6.5μ, globose to subglobose, smooth; nonamyloid. Habitat on living and dead birch. Rare in Europe, better known in Scandinavia; perennial. Not edible.

Birch Conk, Chaga or Clinker Polypore Inonotus obliquus

(Fr.) Pilát Fruit body sterile conk 25–40cm across; black; deeply cracked, very hard and brittle when dry. Fertile portion 5mm thick, crust-like, thin; dark brown. Tubes 3–10mm deep, brittle, usually split in front. Pores 4–6 per mm, circular; whitish becoming dark brown. Flesh corky, faintly zoned; bright yellowish brown. Spores broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, smooth, 8–10×5.5–7.5μ. Setae present. Habitat beneath the bark or outer layers of wood on living, dead, standing, or fallen trees, erupting into conspicuous black conks, generally on birch, occasionally on other broad-leaved trees; all year. Rare in England, more common in Scotland. Not edible. Note extracts are used to treat cancer; this fungus features in Solzhenitsyn’s The Cancer Ward, in which a tea made from the fungus is drunk daily. The fungus contains inotodiol which has active anti-tumour properties. (Only specimens growing on Birch trees seem to have this property plus betulin). It has also been shown to have antiviral activity against influenza strains and HIV.

Alder Bracket Inonotus radiatus

(Sowerby) P. Karst. Bracket 2–9cm×1–6cm across, 1–2cm thick, margin thin and acute, in tiers; apricot at first then rusty, finally almost black, margin paler; woody, upper surface becoming glabrous, uneven, and radially wrinkled. Flesh rusty brown; woody; taste bitter, smell faint and sweet. Tubes 3–8mm long, rusty brown. Pores 3– 4 per mm, circular or angular; glancing silvery in the light. Spores 4.5–6×3–4.5μ, elliptical; yellowish. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae without clamp connections. Setae in tubes fusiform with curved, pointed apex, thick-walled, dark brown. Habitat parasitic on alder and occasionally certain other deciduous trees; all year, annual but often persisting in old, blackened state throughout the year. Common. Not edible.

Inonotus cuticularis

(Bull.) P. Karst. Bracket 5–20cm×3–10cm across, 0.5–2.5cm thick, single or in overlapping tiers; zoned, apricot at first then rusty, finally umber or tobacco-coloured; soft and fleshy when young, later becoming corky and fibrous, upper surface velvety, becoming smooth. Flesh rusty brown; fibrous. Tubes 3–10mm long; rusty. Pores 2–4 per mm, circular at first, becoming irregular; initially yellow-brown then rusty or cinnamon, glancing in the light. Spores 5.5–8×4–6μ, ovate-elliptical; brown. Hyphal structure dimitic; generative hyphae without clamp connections. Setae in tubes fusiform, with acute apex projecting beyond the basidia, dark brown; similar seta-like structures are found on the cap surface but these are branched, anchor-shaped, and dark brown. Habitat on deciduous trees, especially oak and beech; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Shaggy Bracket Inonotus hispidus

(Bull.) P. Karst. Bracket 6–25cm×4–12cm across, 2–10cm thick, fan-shaped, usually single but occasionally fusing with others into overlapping groups; varying from ochraceous to tobacco-brown, finally blackish; surface felty-hairy, finally bristly. Flesh rusty brown. Tubes 10–30mm long. Pores 2–3 per mm, circular to angular; pale ochraceous at first, later brown and glancing in the light. Spores 9–12×4–10μ, subglobose; rust. Habitat usually on ash but commonly on other trees such as elm, apple and walnut; summer, but persisting in blackened state throughout the year. Frequent. Not edible.

Oak Bracket Inonotus dryadeus

(Pers.) Murrill syn. Polyporus dryadeus (Pers.) Fr. Bracket 10–65cm×5–25cm across, 2–12cm thick, or sometimes forming large, irregular cushions, margin broadly rounded; white-grey, becoming brownish, finally very dark, margin paler; corky, upper surface uneven, margin exuding drops of yellowish liquid. Flesh rusty brown; fibrous. Tubes 5–20mm long; rusty brown. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular then angular; white-grey, becoming rusty. Spores 7–9×6.5–7.5μ, subglobose; white to yellowish. Hyphal structure monomitic, generative hyphae lacking clamp connections. Setae in the tubes with swollen base and hooked, pointed tips, dark brown. Habitat parasitic on various species of oak, found at the base of trunks; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Poplar Bracket Oxyporus populinus

(Schumach.) Donk Bracket 3–6cm×2–3cm across, 1–4cm thick, in tiers; whitish-grey to pale grey-buff, often with an ochraceous tint, frequently green-tinged due to being overgrown by algae or moss; upper surface uneven. Flesh white; smell slightly fungusy. Tubes 2–4mm long in each layer; whitish at first then straw-yellow. Pores 4–7 per mm, circular or slightly angular; whitish. Spores 3.5–4.5×3–4μ, subglobose; white. Cystidia in tubes clavate or fusoid with encrusted apex, thin-walled, hyaline. Hyphal structure monomitic, generative hyphae without clamp connections. Habitat on trunks of deciduous trees; all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Birch Mazegill Lenzites betulinus

(L.) Fr. Bracket 3–8cm×2–4cm across, 0.3–1.5cm thick, semicircular or fan-shaped, often in overlapping groups; upper surface uneven, concentrically grooved and zoned, whitish, grey, tan, and brown, covered in fine hairs in which algae may grow, giving the surface a green tinge; tough and leathery. Flesh white; cottony. Gills forked and fused together in places; straw-yellow to buff-grey. Spores 5–6×1.5–3μ, subcylindrical; white. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on deciduous trees, also on cut timber; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Postia fragilis

(Fr.) Jülich syn. Oligoporus fragilis (Fr.) Gilb. & Ryvarden syn. Tyromyces fragilis (Fr.) Donk Bracket 2–10cm across, semicircular, fan-shaped, or elongated in outline, sessile; white, becoming reddish- or pinkish-brown in age, bruising yellow then reddish when handled; finely hairy, becoming matted in age. Flesh white then reddish, bruising yellowish; soft when fresh; smell strong. Tubes 2–8mm deep. Pores 2–4 per mm, angular to irregular; white, bruising yellowish then rusty red. Spores 4– 5×1–2μ, cylindrical to sausage-shaped, smooth; whitish. Habitat singly, in overlapping groups, or in fused clusters on decaying coniferous wood; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Bitter Bracket Postia stiptica

(Pers.) Jülich syn. Oligoporus stipticus (Pers.) Gilb. & Ryvarden syn. Tyromyces stipticus (Pers.) Kotl. & Pouzar Bracket 1–8cm×1–6.5cm across, 0.5–3.5cm thick, semicircular or kidney-shaped, single or in small overlapping groups; milk-white, causing a brown rot; upper surface uneven. Flesh taste bitter and stinging. Tubes 0.3– 0.7mm long; white, exuding whitish droplets in humid weather, which dry cream. Pores 1–5mm across, circular becoming more elongate; white to cream. Spores 3.5– 4.5×1.5–2.5μ, oblong-elliptical; white. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat usually on dead conifers, less frequently on living trees; all year. Common. Not edible.

Conifer Blueing Bracket Postia caesia

(Schrad.) P. Karst. syn. Oligoporus caesius (Schrad.) Gilb. & Ryvarden syn. Tyromyces caesius (Schrad.) Murrill Bracket 1–6cm×1–4cm across, 0.3–1cm thick, semicircular, single or in overlapping groups; whitish, grey-blue with age or where handled; upper surface covered in fine, long hairs. Tubes 0.5–4.5mm long; white, later grey-blue. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular; white at first, more grey or grey-blue with age. Spores 4–5×0.7–1.5μ, sausage-shaped; white with grey-blue tint, amyloid. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections and appearing glassy in KOH. Habitat on dead conifers, especially spruce; all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Blueing Bracket Postia subcaesia

(A. David) Jülich syn. Oligoporus subcaesius (A. David) Gilb. & Ryvarden syn. Tyromyces subcaesius A. David Bracket1–6cm×1–4cm across, 0.3–1cm thick, semicircular, single or in overlapping groups; whitish, grey-blue with age or where handled, but not as blue as P. caesia (above); upper surface covered in fine, long hairs. Flesh white. Tubes 0.5–4.5mm long; white, later grey-blue. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular; white at first, more grey or grey-blue with age. Spores 4–5×0.7–1.5μ, sausage-shaped; white with grey-blue tint, amyloid. Hyphal structure monomitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections and appearing glassy in KOH. Habitat on fallen branches and sticks of deciduous trees in old woodland; all year. Frequent. Not edible. Note in my first book this picture was named as Tyromyces caesius. The fungi of this section that cause brown rot have been transferred from Tyromyces to Postia, and this species has only recently been split from P. caesia (above).

Tyromyces chioneus

(Fr.) P. Karst. syn. T. albellus (Peck.) Bondartsev & Singer syn. Polyporus albellus Peck Bracket 3–10cm×2–8cm across, 1–3.5cm thick, fan-shaped to subcircular; upper surface suede-like and white at first, later yellowing; succulent. Flesh white; soft and watery at first, drying hard and chalky. Tubes 3–7mm long; white, yellowing with age. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular to elongate; whitish. Spores 4–6×1.5–2μ, subcylindrical to sausage-shaped; hyaline. Hyphal structure dimitic; generative hyphae clamp-bearing, binding hyphae coralloid. Habitat on dead coniferous or broad-leaved trees; late summer to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Blushing Bracket Daedaleopsis confragosa

(Bolt.) J. Schröt. syn. Trametes rubescens (Alb. & Schwein) Fr. Bracket 8–22cm×4– 10cm across, 1.5–5cm thick, margin thin and acute, single or tiered; reddish-brown; corky, upper surface radially wrinkled and concentrically ridged. Flesh white then pinkish, finally pale brownish; taste slightly bitter, smell none. Tubes 5–15mm long; cream-coloured. Pores large, usually somewhat elongate or slot-like; whitish, readily bruising pink to red on handling when fresh, staining violet with ammonia. Spores 8– 11×2–3μ, cylindrical; white. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on deciduous trees, especially willow; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Oak Mazegill Daedalea quercina

(L.) Pers. Bracket 4–20cm×3–8cm across, 1.5–5cm thick, singly or occasionally in shelved groups; creamy or ochraceous tinged with grey, drying pallid or umber; hard and corky, upper surface uneven. Flesh pale wood-coloured; smell faintly acrid or fungusy. Tubes 10–30mm long; ochraceous-cream. Pores large, irregular and mazelike, often elongate, resembling gills. Spores 6–7.5×3–3.5μ, elliptical. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on dead deciduous wood, almost entirely restricted to oak in Britain; from spring onwards. Common. Not edible.

Spongipellis spumeus

(Sowerby) Pat. Bracket 5–22cm×3–10cm across, 2–6cm thick, fan-shaped, usually single; white to yellowish, becoming ochraceous to olive-brown with age; upper surface felty. Flesh whitish; in two distinct layers, the thin upper layer soft and spongy, the lower one much thicker, hard and fibrous; taste not distinctive, smell sweet and heady, sometimes of anise. Tubes 5–16mm long; whitish. Pores 2–5 per mm, more or less circular; cream. Spores 6.5–9×5–7μ, broadly elliptic to subglobose; white. Habitat on deciduous trees; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Conifer Mazegill Gloeophyllum sepiarium

(Wulfen) P. Karst. Bracket 2–3cm×5–12cm across, 0.5–1cm thick, fan-shaped and often in tiered groups; indistinctly zoned maroon to rusty, darkening with age towards the point of attachment, remaining lighter, even bright rusty-orange near the margin; corky, upper surface coarsely concentrically ridged and radially wrinkled, softly hairy at first, later bristly. Flesh rusty brown; taste and smell slight, not distinctive. Pores densely and radially arranged, often fusing together irregularly, giving a maze-like appearance; light ochraceous-rust, drying tobacco-brown. Spores 9–12.5×3–4.5μ, cylindrical; white. Habitat on coniferous trees or timber, causing an intensive brown rot which rapidly destroys the infected wood; all year. Uncommon. Not edible.

Common Mazegill Datronia mollis

(Sommerf.) Donk syn. Trametes mollis (Sommerf.) Fr. Fruit body generally consisting of long, narrow, shelf-like, undulating brackets, 1–7cm×0.5–2.5cm across, 0.2–0.6cm thick, often in tiers; umber-brown on the upper surface when fresh, becoming darker brown to almost black; tough, leathery, the upper surface velvety when fresh, later smooth. Flesh pale brownish. Tubes 0.5–5mm long. Pores 1–2 per mm, angular, irregularly elongated or slot-like; greyish, due to a whitish bloom that disappears on handling, leaving the pore-surface yellowish-brown or umber. Spores 8–10×2.5–3.5μ, subcylindrical. Hyphal structure dimitic. Habitat on dead deciduous wood; all year. Common. Not edible.

Hazel Bracket Skeletocutis nivea

(Jungh.) Jean Keller syn. Incrustoporia semipileata (Peck) Donk Fruit body usually forming a bracket 2–4cm×0.5–1.5cm across, 0.2–2cm thick, occasionally resupinate; upper surface whitish, older specimens becoming brownish or even blackish behind. Flesh white; succulent. Tubes very short; whitish. Pores 5–9 per mm, more or less circular, very minute, scarcely visible to the unaided eye; whitish then cream, and glancing in the light. Spores 3–4×0.4–0.5μ, sausage-shaped; white. Hyphal structure trimitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections. In the tubes there are hyphal endings that are curved and densely encrusted with crystalline matter. Habitat on twigs and branches of deciduous trees; all year. Frequent. Not edible. Note that both parts of the name have changed.

Dichomitus campestris

(Quél.) Domański & Orlicz syn. Trametes campestris Quél. Fruit body 2–12cm across, convex, cushion-like, resupinate; pale at first, becoming yellowish or brownish, finally staining dark brown to black throughout. Tubes 3–10mm long, sometimes in 2–6 layers (in perennial fruit bodies). Pores 1–2 per mm, circularangular, often irregular. Spores 9–12.5×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical-cylindrical, thin-walled. Habitat on thin, dead branches of deciduous trees; autumn, or sometimes perennial. Rare – known only from Scotland. Not edible.

Oak Curtain Crust Hymenochaete rubiginosa

(Dicks.) Lév. Fruit body forming densely crowded, tiered brackets, 2.5–6cm×2–4cm across, often wavy or lobed at the margin, very rarely resupinate; upper surface closely concentrically zoned deep rust-brown to date-brown; velvety at first, becoming smooth and almost black with age. Fertile or lower surface rust-brown. Flesh rust-brown; thin, brittle. Spores 4–6.5×2.5–3μ, broadly elliptic; whitish to yellowish or olive. Setae 43–80×5.5–10μ, acutely fusoid or lanceolate, projecting beyond the current basidial layer but some becoming buried in the thickening hymenium, thick-walled, dark brown to almost black. Habitat on old rotting stumps of deciduous trees, most commonly oak; all year. Common. Not edible.

Purplepore Bracket Trichaptum abietinum

(Pers.) Ryvarden syn. Hirschioporus abietinus (Pers.) Donk Bracket 1–3cm×0.5–2cm across, 0.1–0.2cm thick, margin undulate, in overlapping rows or shelves; upper surface greyish, often with a greenish tint due to the growth of algae amongst the layer of woolly hairs covering the surface, margin pinkish; concentrically grooved. Flesh pale brownish or purplish. Tubes 0.3–0.7mm long; lilac when fresh, drying reddishbrown. Pores 3–4 per mm, circular or angular, becoming irregularly toothed; bright violet, especially towards the margin, but paling and brownish with age. Spores 6.5– 8×3–4μ, oblong-elliptical, hyaline. Cystidia abundant, 12–35×5–7μ, fusiform with an encrusted apex and slightly thickened walls. Hyphal structure dimitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on dead stumps and fallen trunks of coniferous trees; all year. Common. Not edible.

Stereum ostrea

(Blume & Nees) Fr. Fruit body 1–10cm across, irregular, semicircular or bracketlike, often overlapping; zonate and multicoloured in shades of brown and rust; densely hairy. Fertile lower surface pale buff; smooth. Flesh thin, tough, leathery. Spores 5.5– 7.5×2–3μ, cylindrical, smooth. Spore print white. Habitat reported from decayed wood in greenhouses; all year. Very rare, with British records not confirmed, but is a common tropical species. Not edible.

Hairy Curtain Crust Stereum hirsutum

(Willd.) Gray Fruit body occasionally resupinate, but normally forming tough, leathery brackets 3–10cm×1–4cm across, margin wavy and lobed, often in tiered groups; upper surface zoned ochre to greyish; hairy. Fertile or lower surface bright yellow, duller brownish or greyish with age; smooth. Spores 6–7.5×3–3.5μ, elliptical; white, amyloid. Habitat on stumps, logs and fallen branches of deciduous trees; all year. Very common, one of the most commonly recorded fungi in Britain. Not edible.

Bleeding Oak Crust Stereum gausapatum

(Fr.) Fr. syn. S. spadiceum (Fr.) Fr. Fruit body resupinate or forming small, tiered brackets 1–4cm across; upper surface zoned ochre-brown to greyish, margin white; tough and leathery, thin-fleshed, finely hairy. Fertile or lower surface pallid to dark chestnut, bleeding red if cut when fresh; smooth. Spores 7–8×3–3.5μ, oblong; white, amyloid. Habitat on stumps, logs and fallen branches of deciduous trees, especially oak; all year. Common. Not edible.

Bleeding Broadleaf Crust Stereum rugosum

(Pers.) Fr. Fruit body usually resupinate, occasionally forming small, woody brackets; fertile surface buff, often tinged pink, bleeding red if cut when fresh, drying more ochre and often cracking. Flesh whitish; thin, stratified. Spores 9–13×3.5–5μ, elliptical; white, amyloid. Habitat on stumps, logs, and fallen branches of deciduous trees, especially hazel; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Hairy Bracket Trametes hirsuta

(Fr.) Pilát syn. Coriolus hirsutus (Fr.) Quél. Bracket 4–10cm×2–6cm across, 0.5–1cm thick, single or in overlapping groups; upper surface covered in silvery hairs, concentrically zoned and contoured, whitish to yellow-brown or grey when young, greying with age. Flesh white; tough and leathery; taste bitter, smell slightly of aniseed when fresh. Tubes 1–5mm long; white to yellowish. Pores 2–4 per mm, subcircular; white at first, later cream, often tinted grey. Spores 5.5–7.5×1.5–2.5μ, elliptical to subcylindrical; whitish. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees, especially on the trunks of fallen beech trees in exposed situations; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Lumpy Bracket Trametes gibbosa

(Pers.) Fr. syn Pseudotrametes gibbosa (Pers.) Bondartsev & Singer Bracket 5– 20cm×8–12cm across, 1–8cm thick, semicircular, often with a hump, margin thick when young, becoming acute, single or in groups; upper surface greyish-white, sometimes flushed cinnamon or yellowish, or greenish due to the growth of algae amongst the surface hairs; downy or minutely velvety at first, later smooth. Flesh white; corky. Tubes 3–15mm long; whitish to yellow. Pores 1–2 per mm, elongated, slot-like; grey-white then creamy. Spores 4–5×2–2.5μ, subcylindrical; white. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on dead deciduous trees, especially beech; all year, sporulating in late spring. Common. Not edible. Note in my first book this species was named Pseudotrametes gibbosa.

Turkeytail Trametes versicolor

(L.) Pilát syn. Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. Bracket 4–10cm×3–5cm across, 0.1– 0.3cm thick, usually forming large, overlapping, tiered groups; colour very variable, concentrically zoned black-green, grey-blue, grey-brown, or ochraceous-rust, with a white to cream margin; leathery, upper surface velvety at first, becoming smooth with age. Flesh white; tough and leathery; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes 0.5–1mm long; white, drying yellowish. Pores 3–5 per mm, circular or irregularly angular; white, yellowish, or light brown. Spores 5.5–6×1.5–2μ, elliptical; straw-yellow. Hyphal structure trimitic. Habitat on deciduous wood; all year. Very common. Not edible. Note this is a very variable species, and some authors recognize several forms.

Smoky Bracket Bjerkandera adusta

(Willd.) P. Karst. Bracket 2–4cm×1–2cm across, 0.3–0.6cm thick, undulate, often several fused together in tiers or in an overlapping group 20cm across or more; upper surface grey-brown with a white margin when young, becoming darker and blackening at the margin with age; suede-like. Flesh leathery, drying hard; taste sourish, smell strongly fungusy. Tubes 0.5–1mm long; grey. Pores minute, subcircular; smoke-grey, darkening with age. Spores 4.5–5.5×2.5–3μ, elliptical; straw-yellow. Hyphal structure monomitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Silverleaf Fungus Chondrostereum purpureum

(Pers.) Pouzar syn. Stereum purpureum Pers. Bracket 1.5–3cm×1–2cm across, 0.2– 0.5cm thick, extremely undulate, usually several brackets fused together and overlapping; upper surface covered in dense, white, woolly hairs in concentric bands; lower surface dark violaceous or violaceous-brown in young specimens, becoming brownish with age, drying paler (lower specimens in photograph). Flesh tough when fresh, becoming brittle when dry. Spores 5–8×2.5–3μ, subcylindrical. Hyphal structure monomitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat parasitic or saprophytic on various trees, especially members of the Rosaceae; all year. Common. Not edible. This fungus is the cause of ‘silver leaf’ disease that leads to the destruction of fruit trees; plum trees are particularly susceptible. The first visible sign of infection is silvering of the leaves, due to the upper epidermis becoming separated from the rest of the leaf and lifting in patches. This effect occurs progressively along a branch, and on cutting the wood is found to be stained brown. The fungus can be eliminated if the wood is cut back to a point where no infection is seen and the wound is treated with a fungicide. Where silvering of the leaves occurs all over a tree simultaneously it is unlikely to be due to this fungus; this can be verified by examination of the wood for

staining. This false silver leaf, which has the same symptom, that of the upper leaf epidermis lifting, is caused by physiological disturbance such as heavy pruning.

Ceriporiopsis gilvescens

(Bres.) Domański syn. Poria gilvescens Bres. Fruit body resupinate, initially small then merging into larger patches of up to 10–15×2–5cm and 0.5cm thick; white, bruising or drying flesh-coloured, reddish-brown, or ochraceous, remaining pale at the sterile margin. Tubes 1–4mm long; pale reddish-brown. Pores 3–5 per mm, more or less angular. Spores 4–6(7)×1.5–2μ, elliptical-cylindrical. Hyphal system monomitic, hyphae with clamp connections, thin-walled. Habitat on logs and rotting stumps of deciduous trees; all year. Uncommon. Not edible.

Cylindrobasidium laeve

(Pers. Chamuris) syn. C. evolvens (Fr.) Jülich syn. Corticium evolvens (Fr.) Fr. Fruit body resupinate, 2–20cm across, margin fimbriate; on vertical surfaces the fungus may form small, delicate brackets up to 1.5×1cm; white, cream, or tan with white margin. Spore-bearing surface cream then pinkish-ochre, cracking when dry. Spores 9–12×6–7.5μ, pip-shaped; white. Cystidioles elongate, fusiform, thin-walled, intermixed with the basidia but seldom emergent. Hyphae distinct, with obvious walls and with clamp connections at the septa. Habitat on logs or fallen branches; all year. Frequent. Not edible. Note this fungus causes ‘fish-eye rot’ in stored apples.

Split Porecrust Schizopora paradoxa

(Schrad.) Donk Fruit body resupinate, initially in small circular patches, later fusing to cover large, irregularly shaped areas; white to creamy-ochre. Tubes 1–5mm long. Pores 1–4 per mm, circular, oblong, angular, or maze-like. Spores 4–6×3–3.5μ, ovate; hyaline. Hyphal structure of tubes dimitic; generative hyphae with rather distinct walls and clamp connections. Habitat on dead wood, usually of deciduous trees; all year. Very common. Not edible. Note this well-known fungus may move to the genus Hypodontia after further study.

Leucogyrophana mollusca

(Fr.) Pouzar syn. Merulius molluscus Fr. Fruit body resupinate, forming patches 3– 10cm across; white and smooth at first, becoming wrinkled and forming ‘pores’ and then yellowing. Spores 4–6.5×4–5μ, broadly elliptical; yellowish, some dextrinoid. Habitat on coniferous wood, twigs or other debris; autumn to winter. Uncommon. Not edible. Note my picture shows it spreading onto grass.

Dry Rot Serpula lacrymans

(Wulfen) J. Schröt. Fruit body 5–50cm across, usually resupinate but also occasionally forming brackets on vertical substrates, margin thick; arising from a whitish, pinkish, lilac, or grey mycelium. Flesh 2–12mm thick; greyish-white; spongy-fleshy. Pores rusty yellow, becoming more yellowish towards the white, sterile margin. Spores 8–10×5–6μ, elliptical; rust-brown. Habitat on worked wood in buildings, although the fruit bodies of the fungus may also appear on non-organic substrates such as plaster or brickwork; all year. Occasional. Not edible. Note photographed by Alan & Patie Outen. Infection of wood occurs when it has become sodden for some time, following prolonged damp due to leaking roofs or pipes, and is either by spores or by vegetative mycelium spreading through brickwork. On germination of the spores, the mycelia exhibit two distinct modes of growth. In the first, numerous fine hyphae penetrate the wood, producing enzymes that break down the wood and enable the fungus to absorb nutrients; as the wood dries it cracks into cubical blocks and eventually disintegrates into brown powder. It is the second mode of growth that is most easily detected, because it takes the form of thick mycelial cords and spreading cottony sheets which enable the fungus to travel over areas from which it cannot derive nutrients, such as

brickwork or metal. The fruit bodies arise from these mycelial cords. This is a very destructive fungus that should be dealt with as soon as it is detected. The distinctive sweet. mouldy smell will help determine its presence; thereafter look for the shrinking woodwork.

Serpula himantioides

(Fr.) P. Karst. syn. Merulius himantioides Fr. Fruit body resupinate, forming patches 2–5cm across, margin thin; lilac at first, then drying umber, the margin white; smooth at first, becoming irregularly wrinkled, forming reticulate ‘pores’. Spores 9–10×6μ, elliptical; yellowish-brown. Habitat on dead coniferous wood, especially on the undersides of large logs; all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Pseudomerulius aureus

(Fr.) Jülich syn. Merulius aureus Schum. Fruit body 5–20cm across, about 2mm thick, a spreading, wrinkled crust; bright orange to golden-brown, paler yellow-gold at margin; surface wrinkled and folded. Spores 3.5–4.5×1.3–1.8μ, cylindrical, smooth. Deposit yellowish. Habitat on undersides of dead, bark-less conifer logs; late summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Wrinkled Crust Phlebia radiata

Fr. syn. P. merismoides (Fr.) Fr. Fruit body resupinate, forming round, oval or irregular patches 8–10mm across, 2–3mm thick, margin fringed; colour varying from dull flesh-colour or purplish to bright fluorescent orange, especially at the margin, becoming greyish-orange to almost white with age; on cherry trees it is often pale lilaceous; surface very wrinkled, with radiating ridges. Spores 4–7×1–3μ, sausageshaped; white. Habitat on the bark of dead deciduous trees, especially beech; all year. Common. Not edible.

Jelly Rot Phlebia tremellosa

(Schrad.) Burds. & Nakasone syn. Merulius tremellosus Schrad. Fruit body most often forming small brackets 1–5cm across, thin, flexible, semicircular and often tiered, sometimes resupinate, spreading radially and flowing into each other; upper surface white and hairy, margin covered in silky radiating fibres. Fertile or lower side orange-buff or pinkish, appearing almost poroid. Flesh whitish; thin, gelatinous. Spores 4–4.5×1–1.5μ, sausage-shaped, hyaline. Habitat on stumps or fallen branches of deciduous, less frequently coniferous, wood; autumn to spring. Common. Not edible.

Gloeoporus taxicola

(Pers.) Gilb. & Ryvarden syn. Meruliopsis taxicola (Pers.) Bondartsev & Singer Fruit body forming large, resupinate patches, surface poroid-merulioid, waxy. Pores white to pinkish, darkening on bruising or with age to reddish-brown or almost black, the margin remaining white. Spores 3–7×1–1.5μ, curved-cylindrical. Habitat on coniferous wood; all year. Uncommon. Not edible.

Antrodia albida

(Fr.) Donk syn. Coriolellus albidus (Fr.) Bondartsev Fruit body resupinate or forming small brackets 1–3cm×0.5–1cm across, 0.2–0.7cm thick; white to light yellowish-brown; upper surface finely hairy. Flesh white. Tubes 2–5mm long. Pores 0.6–2mm diameter, angular; white or cream to pale buff. Spores 6–11×3–5μ, cylindrical-elliptical. Hyphal structure dimitic, generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat on fallen branches and logs of deciduous trees, causing brown rot of the wood; all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Wet Rot Coniophora puteana

(Schumach.) P. Karst. Fruit body resupinate, forming irregular patches 4–20cm across; creamy white at first then pale yellow, becoming dirty chrome to olivaceous, margin broad, white, radiating; surface irregular, rough and warted. Flesh very thin. Spores 11–13×7–8μ, broadly elliptical; olivaceous-brown. Habitat on trunks, decaying wood or timbers; all year. Common. Not edible. Note this is one of the major causes of wet rot in damp buildings.

Peniophora quercina

(Pers.) Cooke Fruit body resupinate, forming ochraceous-pink to purple-grey patches 0.1–0.5mm thick, which dry hard and brittle, rolling away from the substrate and back on themselves to show the dark brown or black underside. Flesh hyaline, except for a narrow brownish zone adjacent to the substrate; relatively thick, almost gelatinous. Spores 8–12×3–4μ, curved-cylindrical; light red. Cystidia fusiform, heavily encrusted with crystalline material, thick-walled, hyaline, often becoming buried as the hymenium thickens. Habitat on dead branches of deciduous trees, especially oak; all year. Common. Not edible.

Peniophora lycii

(Pers.) Höhn. & Litsch Fruit body resupinate, forming thin, irregular patches on the undersides of branches; blue-grey with a violaceous tint. Spores 9–13×3.5–5μ, cylindrical or somewhat curved; pink. Cystidia club-shaped, conspicuously encrusted in crystalline material, often becoming buried as the hymenium thickens. Dendrophyses branched, encrusted with crystalline material, hyaline. Habitat on dead twigs and sticks of many deciduous trees; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Rosy Crust Peniophora incarnata

(Pers.) P. Karst. syn. Thelephora incarnata Pers. Fruit body resupinate, forming thin, pale to bright orange or salmon-pink patches on the undersides of branches. Spores 8– 12×3.5–5μ, narrowly elliptical; light red. Cystidia fusoid, encrusted with crystalline material, found at all levels in the thickening hymenium. Gloeocystidia thin-walled, elongated, somewhat vermiform. Habitat on wood of all sorts, especially gorse; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Elder Whitewash Hyphodontia sambuci

(Pers.) J. Erikss. syn. Hyphoderma sambuci (Pers.) Jülich Fruit body resupinate, very thin; white; mealy, pruinose, or chalky. Spores 4.5–6×3.5–4μ, ellipsoid; white to yellowish. Cystidioles narrowly fusoid, often capitate at apex. Habitat on deciduous wood, especially elder; all year, especially autumn to winter. Common. Not edible.

Waxy Crust Vuilleminia comedens

(Nees) Maire syn. Corticium comedens (Nees) Fr. Fruit body resupinate, forming firm to gelatinous patches 1–13cm across below the bark; dingy lilac to pale fleshcoloured, slightly viscid and translucent when moist. Spores 18–20×5–6μ, cylindrical to sausage-shaped; white. Habitat beneath the bark on dead, often still attached, branches of deciduous trees; all year. Common but inconspicuous; most easily found by looking for the characteristic rolled-back bark of the host. Not edible.

Mycoacia uda

(Fr.) Donk. syn. Acia uda (Fr.) Bourdot & Galzin (nom. illegit.) Fruit body resupinate, 2–10cm across, 0.1–0.2mm thick; white, cream, or pink-buff, margin white; fibrillose when young. Spores globose, 7–8μ in diameter, with uneven, thickened walls; white. Chlamydospores apical or intercalary on hyphae in subhymenial tissue, 8–10×6–8μ, rounded to pear-shaped with thickened, dextrinoid walls. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections, thin to somewhat thick-walled. Habitat on deciduous wood; late autumn to late winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Hypochnicium vellerum

(Ellis & Cragin) Parmasto. syn. Corticium vellereum Ellis & Cragin Fruit body resupinate, 2–10cm across, 0.1–0.2mm thick; white, cream, or pink-buff, white at the margin; fibrillose when young. Spores 7–8μ in diameter, globose, with uneven, thickened walls; white. Chlamydospores apical or intercalary on hyphae in subhymenial tissue, 8–10×6–8μ, rounded to pear-shaped with thickened, dextrinoid walls. Hyphal structure monomitic; generative hyphae with clamp connections, thin to somewhat thick-walled. Habitat most commonly on fallen deciduous wood or bark, especially elm, in mainland Europe, not found in Britain; late autumn to late winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Earpick Fungus Auriscalpium vulgare

Gray Cap 1–2cm across, kidney-shaped; covered with yellow-brown to chestnut or blackish hairs; thin, leathery. Stem 10–140×1–2mm, joined laterally to cap, swollen towards base; dark brown to blackish; bristly. Spines 1–3mm long; dark flesh-colour to brown at first, paler as they are dusted with the ripening spores. Spores 4.5– 5.5×3.5–4.5μ, subglobose to broadly ovate, minutely spinulose; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on buried, decaying pine cones; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Terracotta Hedgehog Hydnum rufescens

Pers. Differs from H. repandum (below) in having a smaller and less robust form, an orange-brown cap, non-decurrent spines, and slightly larger spores, 8–10×6–7μ. Habitat deciduous and coniferous woods; autumn. Frequent. Edible.

Wood Hedgehog or Pied de mouton Hydnum repandum

L. Fruit body usually single Cap 3–17cm across, flattened convex or centrally depressed, even; cream, yellowish or pale flesh-coloured; velvety at first then more

suede-like. Stem 35–75×15–40mm, often off-centre, cylindrical; white, bruising yellow near base; finely downy. Flesh white, bruising yellow near stem base; taste bitter after a few seconds, smell pleasant. Spines 2–6mm long; whitish to salmonpink. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–7μ, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose. Spore print white. Habitat in deciduous or coniferous woods; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible excellent, commonly sold in European markets.

Scaly Tooth Sarcodon squamosus

(Schaeff.) Quél. Fruit body single. Cap 5–20cm across, flattened convex at first, later depressed; velvety then felty, soon cracking deeply into coarse, overlapping, upturned scales of a dark reddish- or purplish-brown, contrasting with pale pink or fleshcoloured background. Stem 50–80×20–50mm, tapering or swollen at the base; whitish at first, becoming brownish from the base upwards; taste slight but bitter after a few minutes, smell slight, not distinctive. Spines 1–10mm long; whitish, finally purplishbrown. Spores 7–8×5–5.5μ, irregular outline, warted. Spore print brownish. Habitat in coniferous woods, especially on sandy soils; autumn. Occasional, more frequent in Scottish pine forests; listed as a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Edible. Note this was included in my first book as S. imbricatus, but that name is now restricted to the species found in Picea forests and not recorded for Britain; this is the species found with Pinus sylvestris.

FUNGI WITH SPINES This small but distinct group is mostly very woody and inedible, with the exception of the Hydnum species. All but one grow on the ground in woods.

Bitter Tooth Sarcodon scabrosus

(Fr.) P. Karst. Fruit body single or fusing with others. Cap 4–14cm across, flattened convex or centrally depressed; dirty yellowish, covered in cinnamon, rusty, or purplish-brown scales; covered in down and smooth at first, soon becoming cracked and scaly. Stem 25–100×10–30mm, tapering towards base; dark flesh-colour, eventually concolorous with cap scales, grey-green, blue-green, or blackish-green below; downy to fibrous-scaly. Flesh grey-green in base of stem; taste bitter, acrid, smell mealy. Spines 1–10mm long; yellowish-white, eventually becoming purplishbrown. Spores (5.5)6–7.5×(3.5)4–5μ, tuberculate. Spore print brownish. Habitat in coniferous or deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon, endangered on Red Data List. Not edible. Note Scottish collections under Scots pine require confirmation, as they may be Sarcodon glaucopus Maas Geest. & Nannf.

Drab Tooth Bankera fuligineoalba

(J.C. Schmidt) Pouzar Cap 4–15cm across, flat, becoming centrally depressed; initially pallid, becoming yellowish-brown, darkening with age; fleshy, usually covered in vegetable debris. Stem 10–50×8–25mm; well-defined white apex, brownish below. Flesh whitish in cap, occasionally flushed pink, pallid to yellowishbrown in stem; smell of fenugreek when dry. Spines 1–6mm long; whitish then greyish. Spores 4.5–5.5×2.5–3.5μ, oval, minutely spiny. Spore print white. Habitat in pine woods; autumn. Rare except in Highland pine forests, endangered on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Not edible.

Blue Tooth Hydnellum caeruleum

(Hornem.) P. Karst. Fruit body single or fused with others. Cap 3–11cm across, convex to depressed; at first white, often with a blue margin, at length yellowish- to rusty-brown; velvety to matted. Flesh zoned bluish in cap, orange-brown in stem; smell of cucumber when cut. Spines 1–5mm long; bluish then white, finally purplishbrown. Spores 5.5–6×3.5–4.5μ, irregularly lobed and warted. Spore print brown. Hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat conifer woods, confined to Highland pine forest; autumn. Uncommon. Vulnerable on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Not edible.

Devil’s Tooth Hydnellum peckii

Banker, in Peck Fruit body single or fused with others. Cap 3–7cm across, flattened convex to depressed, uneven or knobbly, ridged or pitted towards centre; initially white then pale vinaceous- or brownish-pink darkening from the centre outwards to reddish-brown, purple, or almost black; velvety at first and often covered in red droplets. Stem 5–60×5–20mm, cylindrical or tapered towards base; concolorous with cap; velvety. Flesh taste and smell not distinctive. Spines 1–4.5mm long; white at first then pale purplish-brown. Spores 5–5.5×3.5–4μ, tuberculate. Spore print brown. Habitat in coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Uncommon to frequent in Scottish pine woods. Vulnerable on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Ridged Tooth Hydnellum scrobiculatum

(Fr.) P. Karst Fruit body single or fused with others. Cap 2–6cm across, centrally depressed, radially wrinkled or ridged over the entire surface and usually coarsely roughened with spiky processes; initially whitish then pinkish to brown, darkening towards the centre, bruising blackish; velvety then fibrillose, finally shiny. Stem 10– 20×2–10mm, cylindrical, tapered or bulbous at the base; concolorous with cap; velvety or matted and wrinkled. Flesh smell mealy. Spines 1–4mm long; whitish, becoming purplish-brown. Spores 5.5–7×4.5–5μ, tuberculate. Spore print brown. Habitat in coniferous and mixed woods; autumn. Occasional, endangered on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Zoned Tooth Hydnellum concrescens

(Pers.) Banker Fruit body usually fused together. Cap 2–7cm across, centrally depressed, radiately ridged, covered in coarse knobs or secondary caps; white to creamy pink and velvety, becoming fibrous-scaly and tan to dark brown in concentric zones, often with blackish blotches. Stem 5–5.5×2–10mm; concolorous with cap; velvety to matted. Flesh smell mealy. Spines 1–3mm long; whitish then pinkishbrown, finally dark purplish-brown. Spores 5.5–6×4–4.5μ, irregular outline. Spore print light to dark brown. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Velvet Tooth Hydnellum spongiosipes

(Peck) Pouzar Fruit body single or fused with others. Cap 2–7cm across, flattenedconvex or slightly depressed; whitish-yellow and velvety at first, becoming fleshcoloured to brownish or cinnamon, finally dark brown bruising reddish; smooth, uneven, usually with one or two concentric grooves. Stem 10–90×5–30mm, swollen below; dark reddish-brown; very thick, spongy, felt-like tomentum. Flesh smell mealy. Spines 1–6mm long; whitish at first, later dark brown. Spores 6–7×4.5–5.5μ, irregular, tuberculate. Spore print light to dark brown. Habitat in deciduous woods, usually with oak; autumn. Uncommon, rare on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Hydnellum geogenium

(Fr.) Banker Fruit body single or often fused with others. Cap 4–14cm across, irregular in outline, flattened; olive- or deep brown to buff, often with bright yellow tomentum, especially when young; thin, pliant, rather zoned, surface fibrous, knobbly, pitted at centre. Stem very short or almost absent; concolorous with cap; numerous strands of yellow mycelium in soil around base. Flesh olive; thin; taste and smell not distinctive. Spines on under-surface decurrent for entire stem; olive-yellow to olivebrown, usually brighter yellow at margin. Spores 3–4.5×3–4μ, angular to subglobose, tuberculate. Spore print brown. Habitat in coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Rare in Europe, unknown in Britain. Not edible

Woolly Tooth Phellodon tomentosus

(L.) Banker Fruit bodies tough, shallowly funnel-shaped, mostly fused together. Cap 1.5–4cm across, flat to depressed; initially white then yellowish-brown and finally deep brown with darker colour zones; downy at first, becoming wrinkled or ridged, sometimes pitted in the centre. Stem 5–10×2–8mm, arising from a common mycelial pad; mottled yellow-brown to deep brown; smooth to fibrillose. Flesh pale brownish in cap, dark brown in stem; smell of fenugreek when dry. Spines 1–2mm long; white then grey. Spores 3–3.5×2.5–3μ, oval, minutely spiny. Spore print white to yellowish. Habitat in coniferous and mixed woodland; late summer. Occasional, endangered on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Not edible.

Grey Tooth Phellodon melaleucus

(Schwartz) P. Karst. Fruit bodies usually fused together. Cap 1–4cm across, thin, funnel-shaped, centre roughened by pointed projections or pitted; white then greyish, often with blue tones, flesh-colour, reddish-brown or purplish-brown, finally almost black; velvety at first then radiately fibrous and wrinkled or grooved. Stem 10–20×1– 5mm, often flattened; blackish-brown; smooth or covered in fine fibres. Flesh slategrey, tinted purplish; taste slightly bitter, smell strong, of fenugreek. Spines 1–2mm long; white then grey. Spores 3.5–4.5×3–4μ, subglobose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat usually in coniferous woods; autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Black Tooth Phellodon niger

(Fr.) P. Karst. Fruit bodies mostly fused together. Cap 3–7cm across, flat or more often centrally depressed, margin lobed; whitish then pale grey with lilaceous tints, soon purplish-black or black, often with olivaceous tints on ageing, usually concentrically zoned; velvety or downy, then pitted or covered in roughened points, ridged and fibrillose towards margin. Stem 10–50×5–20mm, often swollen towards base, rooting or arising from a mycelial pad with a central, black, woody core; velvety tomentum is black at first then grey, grey-brown, or olivaceous. Spines 1–3mm long; blue-grey at first, finally grey. Spores 3.5–4.5×2.5–3.5μ, subglobose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat usually in coniferous woods; autumn. Uncommon, rare on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Fused Tooth Phellodon confluens

(Pers.) Pouzar Fruit bodies usually fused together. Cap 2–6cm across, flat to depressed; white, becoming cream to dark tan from centre out; thickly downy at first, centre becoming roughened or pitted. Stem 10–20×5–15mm, stocky, sometimes very short, often tapering towards downy base; white, discolouring yellow- to grey-brown with age. Flesh white to grey-brown in cap, much darker in stem; smell of fenugreek when dried. Spines 1–2mm long; white, later grey- or violet-tinged. Spores 3.5– 4.5×3–4μ, subglobose, spiny. Spore print white. Habitat with beech, chestnut, and especially oak, more rarely in mixed conifer woods; autumn. Uncommon, endangered on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Unknown edibility.

Bearded Tooth Hericium erinaceus

(Bull.) Pers. Fruit body solid cushion giving rise to pendulous, crowded spines up to 6cm long; whitish, discolouring yellowish with age. Spores 4–5.5×5–6.5μ, subglobose, minutely warted; amyloid. Spore print white to yellowish. Gloeocystidia present as elongated, undulating organs with refractive contents. Habitat from scars on living deciduous trees, especially beech; late summer to autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Edible.

Coral Tooth Hericium coralloides

(Scop.) Pers. syn. H. ramosum (Bull.) Letell. Fruit body 10–25cm across, 10–15cm high, mass of long, thin, multiple branched stems covered on both sides with many very small spines 0.5–1cm long; white. Flesh white; soft, brittle; taste and smell pleasant. Spores 3–5×3–4μ, ellipsoid, smooth to finely roughened. Spore print white. Habitat on fallen beech, occasionally elm; late summer to autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible good, but avoid collecting due to rarity.

Tiered Tooth Hericium cirrhatum

(Pers.) Nikol. Fruit body 5–10cm across, semicircular or shell-shaped and bracketlike, usually tiered; upper surface whitish to pallid ochraceous; often rough with fibrous scales or sterile spines. Flesh cream; thick, soft; taste and smell pleasant. Spines 10–15mm long; cream. Spores 3.5–4×3μ, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on trunks of deciduous trees; late summer to autumn. Occasional, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible. Note in my first book this picture was published as Creolophus cirrhatus, but the genus has now been dropped and the fungus has been moved to Hericium.

PUFFBALLS & ALLIES These are known colloquially as the stomach fungi. The spore material is contained within the body of the fungus and is released when the outer case splits or is broken. This is often weeks or months after the fungus matures. Many of the species are edible while the spores are white and immature.

Earthstar (above), Puffball (far left), and Earthball (left)

Mosaic Puffball Handkea utriformis

(Bull.) Pers. syn. Calvatia utriformis (Bull.) Jaap Fruit body 6–12cm across, squat and pear-shaped when mature, tapering towards base; white to pale grey-brown, finally darker brown; outer wall of scurfy warts soon breaking up into hexagonal patches; fragile inner wall flakes off irregularly at the top. Gleba powdery, olivaceous-brown; sterile base thick, up to half of the fruit body. Spores 4–5μ in diameter, globose, warted; olive-brown. Habitat in pastures or on heaths, usually on sandy soil; summer to late autumn, but cup-shaped sterile bases often persist to the next season. Frequent. Edible when young.

Pestle Puffball Handkea excipuliformis

(Scop.) Kreisel syn. Calvatia excipuliformis (Scop.) Perdeck Fruit body 8–20cm high, pestle-shaped, head 3–12cm across; pale buff at first then brownish; outer surface of small spines or warts soon disappears, exposing the yellowish, papery inner wall, of which the upper portion breaks away to expose the spores. Gleba purplishbrown at maturity; sterile base occupying entire stem, sponge-like, brownish. Spores 3.5–5.5μ in diameter, globose, warted; olive-brown. Habitat on waste ground, heath, pasture, and in woodland; late summer to autumn, but sterile stalk and empty cup-like base of head may persist for many months. Common. Edible when young. Note these are unusually short-stemmed specimens; the young one (bottom right) is the most typically shaped.

Giant Puffball Calvatia gigantea

(Batsch) Lloyd syn. Langermannia gigantea (Batsch) Rostk. Fruit body 7–80cm across, subglobose; whitish; leathery outer wall breaking away to expose the spore mass; attached to the substrate by a root-like mycelial cord which breaks, leaving the body free to roll around and scatter the spores. Gleba powdery and olivaceous-brown at maturity; sterile base rudimentary or absent. Spores 3.5–5.5μ in diameter, globose, finely warted; tawny brown. Habitat in gardens, pasture, and woods; summer to autumn. Common. Edible when still white and firm, good.

Spiny Puffball Lycoperdon echinatum

Pers. Fruit body 2–5cm across, subglobose, tapering into a short stem; white, becoming brown; outer layer forming pointed spines 3–5mm long, convergent at the tips in groups of 3 or 4, leaving a net-like pattern when they have become detached; opening by a central pore. Gleba purple-brown at maturity; sterile base occupying stem, often small. Spores 4–6μ in diameter, globose, warted; brown. Habitat in deciduous woods and on heaths; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Soft Puffball Lycoperdon molle

Pers. Fruit body 1–4cm across, 6cm high, usually pear-shaped; milky coffeecoloured to greyish-brown; minutely granular or spiny; opening by a wide, irregular pore. Gleba white, dark brown when mature; sterile base with large chambers, wide or narrowed to a distinct stalk. Spores 3.5–5μ in diameter, globose. Habitat on soil or humus in deciduous or coniferous forests; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible when flesh is white.

Lycoperdon mammiforme

Pers. Fruit body 4–7cm across, 4–9cm high, subglobose with a broad umbo, tapering into a short stem; white at first then ochre-brown; outer wall breaking into large, white or creamy, cottony scales, leaving a ring-like zone around the base of the head; inner wall thin, papery, opening by a central pore. Gleba finally dark purplish-brown; sterile base spongy, well-developed. Spores 4–5μ in diameter, globose, warted; chocolate-brown. Habitat in deciduous woods on chalk soil; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unknown edibility.

Dusky Puffball Lycoperdon nigrescens

Pers. syn. L. foetidum Bonord. Fruit body 1–4cm across, 1.5–3cm high, subglobose, pinched into a short, tapered base; outer layer of groups of fine, pointed, blackishbrown spines convergent at tips gradually wears off, leaving a net-like pattern on the light greyish-tan, smooth, papery inner wall; opening by a central pore. Gleba eventually sepia; sterile base up to half of the volume of the fruit body, welldeveloped, spongy. Spores 4–5μ in diameter, globose, finely spiny; olive-brown. Habitat on heaths or in coniferous or mixed woods; summer to autumn. Common. Unknown edibility.

Pedicel Puffball Lycoperdon caudatum

J. Schröt. syn. L. pedicellatum Peck Fruit body 2–5cm across, 3–6cm high, subglobose head on a short stem; outer layer of spines 1–2mm long, single or converging at the tips, gradually wearing off to leave a net-like pattern; inner wall papery, pale brown, opening by a torn pore. Gleba finally cinnamon to olive-brown; sterile base well-developed, occupying entire stem. Spores 3.5–4.5×4–5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose with a long stalk, minutely warted; brown. Habitat in rich soil in woodland; late summer to autumn. Very rare, found in Scotland and northern Europe, endangered on Red Data List. Unknown edibility.

Grassland Puffball Lycoperdon lividum

Pers. syn. L. spadiceum Pers. Fruit body 1–2.5cm across, subglobose, pinched into a short stem; greyish- to ochre-brown; outer layer scurfy, inner wall thin and granular, opening by a small, irregular pore. Gleba finally olive-brown; sterile base occupying up to a third of the volume of the fruit body; whitish at first then yellowing, finally brownish; spongy, of rather large cells. Spores 4μ in diameter, globose, minutely warted; olive-brown. Habitat on heaths, pasture, dunes, and waste ground on sandy soil; autumn. Frequent in coastal areas. Unknown edibility.

Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum

Pers. Fruit body 2.5–6cm across, 2–9cm high, subglobose with distinct stem; white, becoming yellowish-brown; outer layer of short pyramidal warts, especially dense on the head, rubbing off to leave an indistinct mesh-like pattern; inner wall opening by a pore. Gleba olive-brown at maturity; sterile base spongy, occupying the stem. Spores 3.5–4.5μ, globose, minutely warted; olivaceous-brown. Habitat in woodland; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible when young.

Stump Puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme

Schaeff. Fruit body 1.5–4cm across, 3.5cm high, subglobose to club-shaped, attached to the substrate by white mycelial strands; whitish at first, finally becoming yellowishor greyish-brown; outer layer of scurfy spines, warts, or granules; inner wall becoming smooth and papery, opening by an apical pore. Gleba olive-brown; sterile base occupying stem, spongy, the cavities forming rather small cells. Spores 3–4μ in diameter, globose, smooth; olive-brown. Capillitium distinctive, of branched, brownish threads lacking all trace of tiny hyaline pores, whereas all other members of the genus have poroid threads. Habitat in groups or swarms on rotten logs or stumps, often appearing to grow in soil but in reality attached to buried wood by the mycelial cords; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible when young.

Grey Puffball Bovista plumbea

Pers. Fruit body 2–3cm across, subglobose, attached to substrate by a clump of fibres which often break, leaving the fruit body free to roll in the wind; outer wall white, flaking off in large scales at maturity; inner layer lead-coloured, fragile, opening by a circular pore. Gleba clay to olive-brown; sterile base absent. Capillitium of highly branched, brown, dendroid elements. Spores 4.5–6×4.5–5.5μ, oval with a long pedicel, finely roughened; brown. Habitat in short grass on lawns, golf-courses and pasture; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible when young.

Brown Puffball Bovista nigrescens

Pers. Fruit body 3–6cm across, subglobose, slightly pointed below, attached to the substrate by a single mycelial cord which often breaks, leaving the fruit body free to roll in the wind; outer wall white at first, flaking off in large scales at maturity; inner wall dark purple-brown to blackish, opening by a large, irregular pore or extensive splitting and cracking. Gleba dark purple-brown; sterile base absent. Capillitium of highly branched, dendroid, brown elements. Spores 4.5–6μ in diameter, subglobose with a long pedicel, finely warted; brown. Habitat in grass, pastureland, and on golf courses; late summer to autumn, persisting in old, dried condition for many months. Common. Edible when young.

Meadow Puffball Vascellum pratense

(Pers.) Kreisel Fruit body 2–4cm across, subglobose, narrowed into a short, squat stem; white at first then yellowish flesh-coloured, finally light brown; outer layer scurfy, with some small, white spines; inner wall smooth, shining, opening by a small pore, the upper part eventually breaking away totally, leaving the fruit body bowlshaped. Gleba olive-brown; sterile base well-developed, separated from spore mass by a distinct membrane. Spores 3–5.5μ in diameter, globose, finely warted; olivebrown. Habitat on lawns, golf courses, or pasture; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible when young.

Scaly Earthball Scleroderma verrucosum

(Bull.) Pers. Fruit body 2.5–5cm across, subglobose, often flattened on top, tapering into a long, thick, stem-like, usually prominently ribbed base; yellowish to brown, covered in small, brownish scales; wall thin, leathery, opening irregularly above. Gleba olive-brown. Spores 10–14μ in diameter, globose, covered in spines or warts; dark brown. Habitat on sandy soil in woods or heaths; summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum

Pers. Fruit body 2–10cm across, subglobose, attached to the substrate by cord-like mycelial threads; outer wall dirty yellow to ochre-brown, thick and tough, coarsely scaly, breaking open irregularly. Gleba purplish-black at first and patterned by whitish veins, becoming powdery when mature. Spores 9–13μ in diameter, globose, with a net-like ornamentation; brown. Habitat on mossy or peaty ground on heaths or in rich woodland, especially those on sandy soil; late summer to early winter. Very common. Not edible. Note this species is sometimes parasitized by the fungus Pseudoboletus parasiticus (here).

Leopard Earthball Scleroderma areolatum

Ehrenb. Fruit body 1–4cm across, subglobose, tapering into a thick, rooting stalk that passes into a few strong mycelial strands; yellowish-brown, covered in smooth, very dark scales surrounded by a ring, wearing off to leave a dotted reticulate pattern; opening by an irregular slit or pore. Gleba deep purplish-brown. Spores 9–14μ in diameter, globose, covered in spines 1.5μ long; dark brown. Habitat in damp places on bare ground or in sparse grass or moss; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Yellow False Truffle Rhizopogon luteolus

Fr. & Nordholm Fruit body 1.5–5cm across, ovate to globose; whitish at first, then dirty ochre-yellow, finally olive-brown, covered in tawny mycelial strands; outer wall thick and tough. Gleba olivaceous at maturity. Spores 7–10×2.5–3.5μ, oblongelliptical; olivaceous. Habitat in coniferous woods on sandy soil; autumn. Occasional, more common in Scottish pine woods. Not edible.

Winter Stalkball Tulostoma brumale

Pers. Fruit body globose head 1–2cm across attached to a slender, fibrous stem 20– 50×3–4mm; opening by a circular pore above a cylindrical, pale ochre to whitish mouth. Spores 3.5–5μ in diameter, globose, finely warted; brown. Habitat in sandy calcareous soil or dunes, usually amongst moss, formerly found on old stone walls where lime rather than Portland cement was used in mortar; winter to early spring. Uncommon. Not edible.

Sandy Siltball Battarraea phalloides

(Dicks.) Pers. Fruit body 10–25cm high, a spore-sac on a rigid, ochre-brown stem covered in shaggy fibres, seated in a loose, whitish, membranous cup. Initially the fruit body is held within the volva below ground; as the stem elongates rapidly, the spore sac is pushed through the soil surface and splits all round. Gleba rusty brown, powdery. Spores 5.0–5.5(6.5)μ, subglobose to ovate; brown. Habitat on sandy soil; summer. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List, a conserved species on the Biodiversity Action Plan. Not edible.

Dyeball Pisolithus arhizus

(Scop.) Rauschert syn. P. tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch Fruit body 6–12cm across, 5–25cm high, narrowing into a thick, stem-like base buried in the ground; ochraceous to olive-brown, resembling balls of horse dung, with chrome-yellow markings on the buried part; outer wall very thin, becoming brittle at maturity, readily breaking apart. Periodoles stony, gravel-like, dark brown. Spores 7–11.5μ in diameter, globose, warted; cinnamon-brown. Habitat in sandy or well-drained gravelly soil in fields or roadsides; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Pepper Pot Myriostoma coliforme

(With.) Corda syn. Geastrum coliformis (With.) Pers. Fruit body opening to 2–10cm across, globose; outer wall covered in a brown, fleshy layer which soon wears off; under-layer pale buff, splitting into 5–12 pointed rays which curve back slightly, raising the spore sac. Spore sac 1.5–5cm across, minutely roughened, opening by several pores to resemble a pepper-pot, supported by several slender columns; silverybrown. Spores 4–6μ in diameter, globose, irregularly warted. Spore mass brown. Habitat in sandy soil in fields or wood edges; late summer to autumn. Found regularly in the Channel Islands, but apparently extinct in mainland Britain, extinct on Red Data List; the large specimen is from a collection made near Hillingdon in Norfolk in 1880. Not edible.

Sessile Earthstar Geastrum fimbriatum

Fr. syn. G. sessile (Sowerby) Pouzar Fruit body opening to 2–4cm across, globose at first, splitting into 5–8 pointed rays; pale cream with flesh tinge. Spore sac 8–15mm across, sessile, opening by a central pore surmounting a slightly raised mouth, not delineated from the spore sac; pale cream to buff. Spores 2.9–3.5μ in diameter, globose, minutely warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat on rich humus under deciduous trees; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Arched Earthstar Geastrum fornicatum

(Huds.) Hook. Fruit body borne on a short stalk, splitting into 4 tall, narrow, downward-pointing rays, which stand on the tips a cup-like structure at the base of the fungus formed by 4 similar but shorter, broader, upward-pointing rays. Spore sac 1– 1.5cm across, globose, with fringed apical pore; brownish. Spores 3.5–4.5μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass blackish-brown. Habitat deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Rayed Earthstar Geastrum quadrifidum

Pers. Fruit body opening to 0.5–3cm across, outer wall splitting into 4–8 pointed rays which bend strongly downwards, the tips adhering to a basal membranous cup in the substrate as in G. fornicatum. Spore sac lead-grey, opening by a central pore above a pallid, conical mouth, on a stalk 1.5–2.5mm long, which forms a ridge-like collar below. Spores 3.5–5μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass brown. Habitat in coniferous woods; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Geastrum rufescens

Pers. syn. G. vulgatum Vittad. Fruit body opening to 5–8cm across, remaining subterranean untilit splits into 7–9 pointed rays, which curve back and are covered in a pale vinaceous, fleshy layer, drying more ochraceous-brown. Spore sac 1.5–4cm across, on a short, indistinct stalk, opening by a central, slightly elevated, fringed pore; pallid to brownish. Spores 3–4.5μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; summer to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Collared Earthstar Geastrum triplex

Jungh. Fruit body 3–5cm across and bulb-shaped at first, opening to 5–10cm across; outer wall splitting into 4–8 pointed rays, covered in a thick, pinkish-brown, fleshy layer which cracks as the rays bend back under the fruit body, leaving the spore sac sitting in a saucer-like base. Spore sac sessile; pale grey-brown with a paler ring around the slightly raised mouth. Spores 3.5–4.5μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat amongst leaf litter in deciduous woods; late summer to autumn. Frequent, perhaps the most common member of the genus in Britain. Not edible. Note field photograph (g) by Geoffrey Kibby.

Geastrum coronatum

Pers. Fruit body opening to 5–9cm across; outer wall splitting into 5–8 pointed rays which curve downward and become irregularly cracked. Spore sac on a short, thick stalk, subglobose, opening by a central pore; grey-brown. Spores 3.5–4.5μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat on soil in coniferous or deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Geastrum pectinatum

Pers. Fruit body opening to 3–6cm across; outer wall splitting into 6–12 pointed, brown rays which become irregularly cracked. Spore sac on a slender stalk 5–6mm long, opening by a central pore surmounting a conical, furrowed mouth; lead-grey. Spores 4–7μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat on soil in coniferous, more rarely deciduous, woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Dwarf Earthstar Geastrum schmidelli

Vittad. syn. G. nanum Pers. Fruit body opening to 2–3cm across, splitting into 5–8 pointed rays covered in a fleshy layer which cracks and flakes off. Spore sac on a short stalk, opening by a central pore above a sharply pointed, brown, beak-like mouth; pallid to greyish. Spores 3.5–4μ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat in rich soil in deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Barometer Earthstar Astraeus hygrometricus

(Pers.) Morgan syn. Geastrum hygrometricum Pers. Fruit body 1–7cm across, globose; outer wall ochraceous-tan to dark brown, splitting into 6–15 pointed rays on maturity when moist, closing and becoming hard and leather-like when dry. Spore sac 1–3cm across; pallid to dark greyish; thin, papery, opening by a slit or tear forming an irregular pore. Spores 7–10.5μ in diameter, globose, finely warted. Spore mass cocoato cinnamon-brown at maturity. Habitat on dunes or sandy soil in woods, developing just below surface, becoming exposed at maturity; autumn, but persisting in good condition for up to a year. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Shooting Star Sphaerobolus stellatus

Tode Fruit body 1.5–2.5mm across, initially globose and whitish, becoming more ochraceous and splitting above into 5–9 minute orange-coloured rays. Peridiole brownish ball, projected up to 4.5m, dispersing the spores by the sudden reversal of the receptacle, which then appears as a translucent white sphere sitting on the starshaped outer wall. Spores 7.5–10×3.5–5μ, oblong; white to yellowish. Habitat on sticks, sawdust, dung, and other organic debris; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Common Bird’s Nest Crucibulum laeve

(Huds.) Kambly syn. C. vulgare Tul. & C. Tul. Fruit body at first globose, later deeply cup-shaped, 4–8mm across and 3–7mm high, sessile; dirty cinnamon-yellow, covered by an ochraceous membrane which withers and sloughs off at maturity. Peridioles several ‘eggs’ 1–2mm in diameter, lens-shaped, each attached to the silvery inner surface of the cup by a minute cord; dirty white. Spores 7–10×3–5μ, elliptical; white to yellowish. Habitat gregarious on wood, twigs, and other vegetable remains; early autumn to early spring. Frequent. Not edible.

Fluted Bird’s Nest Cyathus striatus

(Huds.) Pers. Fruit body 6–8mm across, 7–10mm high, an obtuse, inverted cone; outer surface tawny brown, covered in coarse tufts of shaggy hairs; inner light to dark grey, shiny, fluted, initially covered by a whitish membrane which withers at maturity. Peridioles several grey ‘eggs’. Spores 15–22×3.5–12μ, elliptical; white to yellowish. Habitat on twigs, cones, stumps, and other organic debris and bark mulch; early spring to early winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Field Bird’s Nest Cyathus olla

(Batsch) Pers. Fruit body 8–12mm across, 8–15mm high, trumpet-shaped; outer surface felty, yellowish-grey; inner silver-grey and smooth. Peridioles several silvergrey ‘eggs’. Spores ovate, 10–14×6–8μ; white to yellowish. Habitat on soil, twigs,

and other organic debris; early spring to early winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Nidularia deformis

(Willd.) Fr. syn N. farcta (Roth) Fr. Fruit body gregarious, 2–10mm across, subglobose, sessile; golden-brown or flesh-coloured to cinnamon, surface cottony or powdered at first, becoming smooth with age, breaking open irregularly. Peridioles numerous ‘eggs’ 0.5–1mm across, lens-shaped; reddish-brown. Spores 6–10×4–7μ, broadly elliptical. Habitat on partially rotted wood or sawdust and woodchip mulch; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

BIRD’S NEST FUNGI The spores of these fungi develop in small, egg-like containers (peridioles) which open unevenly when the spores mature.

Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus

L. Fruit body initially 3–6cm across, egg-like, half-buried and covered by leaf-litter, attached to substrate by a cord-like mycelial strand; outer wall white to pinkish, with a thick, gelatinous layer between it and the membranous inner layer. Stalk-like, white receptacle soon ruptures the egg, extending to 10–25cm high; pendulous, bell-shaped head is covered by a mesh of raised ribs coated in dark olive slime containing the spores. The slime has a strong, sickly, offensive smell, reminiscent of rotting meat, which attracts flies from large distances; the slime sticks to the legs of the flies, dispersing the spores very rapidly, exposing the underlying Morel-like mesh. Spores 3.5–4×1.5–2μ, oblong; pale yellow. Habitat in gardens and woods, associated with rotting wood which may be buried in the soil; summer to late autumn. Very common. The egg stage, which lacks the disgusting smell, is edible though not tasty; said to be an aphrodisiac, presumably due to its phallic shape.

Netted Stinkhorn Dictyophora duplicata

(Bosc) E. Fisch. syn. Phallus duplicatus Bosc Fruit body at first a large white ‘egg’ 4–6cm across, rupturing to release the spongy stem and head. Head 4–5cm deep, bellshaped, attached to stem at centre by white circlet surrounding the open pore at top of stem, lower margin free, with a prominent net-like veil 3–6cm deep; deeply pittedreticulate, covered in deep olive-brown spore mass which is solid at first then soon liquid, with a very fetid smell. Stem 100–150×30–45mm; white; hollow, of a cellular, sponge-like structure. Spores 3.5–4.5×1–2μ, ellipsoid, smooth. Habitat on soil in deciduous woodland; summer to autumn. Very rare in Britain (only one record), known from much of northern Europe. Possibly edible in egg stage but not recommended.

Dog Stinkhorn Mutinus caninus

(Huds.) Fr. Fruit body initially 1–2cm across, egg-like, more cylindrical than Phallus impudicus (above), semi-submerged and whitish-yellow, ruptured by stalk-like receptacle, 10–12cm high; pale yellow-buff to bright orange; hollow, pitted; narrow, conical, orange-red head is covered in dark olive slime, which contains the spores and has a very slight sickly smell. Spores 4–5×1.5–2μ, oblong; pale yellow. Habitat in leaf litter in woods and on woodchip mulch; summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Mutinus ravenelii

(Berk. & M.J. Curtis) E. Fisch. Fruit body initially 1–2cm across, egg-like, semisubmerged; white to rose-pink; ruptured by the spongy, spore-bearing, stalk-like receptacle, 100–180×10–20mm, tapering at apex to an acute point, with small opening at tip; bright carmine-red, fading at base; upper half covered in dark olive to blackish spore mass, which soon liquefies and smells strong, sickly sweet or metallic, but not especially unpleasant. Spores 4–7×2–3μ, elliptical, smooth; brown. Habitat in leaf litter, woody debris, and rich soil; summer to autumn. Very rare. Said to be edible in egg stage but not recommended.

Aseroë rubra

Labill. Fruit body oval white ‘egg’ broken open by expanding pink trunk normally up to 10cm in height, with ‘tentacles’ grouped in pairs, of strong reddish colour, glebal disk showing dark, sticky, spore mass. Flesh smell fetid. Habitat on woodland litter on acid soil, native to New Zealand, Australia, and other areas in the southern hemisphere; late summer to autumn. Very rare, with only one record outside greenhouses, presumably imported on garden plants. Not edible. Note thanks to Geoffrey Kibby for allowing me to use this photograph.

Devil’s Fingers Clathrus archeri

(Berk.) Dring syn. Anthurus archeri (Berk.) E. Fisch. Fruit body 5×4cm, egg-shaped, whitish volva breaking into 4–8 starfish-like arms up to 10cm long; red to pink, (occasionally with rather pale creamy pink arms) with olivaceous-black spore-bearing material on the inner side. Flesh smell strong, fetid with a hint of radish. Spores average 5×2μ olive-brown. Habitat in gardens and leaf litter; late summer to autumn. A native Australian fungus now found in warmer areas of Europe. Uncommon. Not edible. Note the red colour is distinctive; these specimens are unusually pale. Photographed by Mark Hampton.

Red Cage Clathrus ruber

Pers. Fruit body egg-shaped, white to greyish volva, bursting open to show a lattice, 10×6cm, orange-red with greenish-black spore-bearing material on the inside; the mycelium commonly forms into ‘rooting’ rhizomorphs. Flesh spongy, rather brittle; smell strong, fetid, attractive to flies. Spores 4.5–5.5×2–2.5μ; olive-brown. Habitat in gardens and on rubbish heaps throughout Europe; late summer to autumn. Uncommon, rare in the north. Not edible.

CLUB FUNGI & OTHERS The club, spindle, and coral fungi form quite a large group of fungi with neither gills nor pores. The spores develop on the outside of the fruit body and are dispersed by wind or rain on maturity.

(left to right) Clavaria, club fungi, and Geoglossum

Giant Club Clavariadelphus pistillaris

(L.) Donk Fruit body 7–30cm high, 2–6cm wide, simple, varying from cylindrical to conspicuously club-shaped; light yellow and deep ochraceous, bruising brownishvinaceous. Flesh firm, becoming soft and spongy; taste bitter, smell sickly, mushroomy. Spores 11–16×6–10μ, oblong-ellipsoid; white or faintly yellowish. Habitat solitary or gregarious, on the ground in beech woods on chalk, especially in the south of England; autumn. Uncommon, thought to be declining. Edible but poor.

Clavariadelphus truncatus

(Quél.) Donk Fruit body 5–15cm high, 3–8cm wide at the top, club-shaped, often broad and flattened at sterile top, narrowing down to bulbous base; yellowish-ochre to dark apricot--orange; wrinkled. Stem indistinct; white-hairy at base. Flesh whitish to ochre, darker on bruising; firm to spongy; taste sweet, smell none. Spores 9–12×5– 8μ, ellipsoid, smooth; pale ochre. Habitat scattered or in groups or clumps on the ground in coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Exceedingly rare, endangered on Red Data List. Said to be edible.

Pipe Club Macrotyphula fistulosa

(Holmsk.) R.H. Petersen syn. Clavariadelphus fistulosus (Holmsk.) Corner syn. Clavaria fistulosa Holmsk. Fruit body 7–30cm high, 2–8mm wide, simple, acute then obtuse, often deformed; yellow then tawny. Spores 10–18.5×4.5–8μ, subfusiform; white. Habitat solitary or gregarious on twigs of deciduous and coniferous trees, especially beech; autumn to winter. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile.

Slender Club Macrotyphula juncea

(Fr.) Berthier syn. Clavariadelphus junceus (Fr.) Corner syn. Clavaria juncea Fr. Fruit body 3–10cm high, 0.5–2mm wide, acute at first, blunt when mature; pale ochraceous; rather rigid. Flesh firm, not brittle; taste acrid, smell sour. Spores 6– 12×3.5–5.5μ, almond-shaped; white. Habitat solitary or gregarious amongst leaf litter in broad-leaved woods, on rotting twigs, petioles and other debris, rarely on bare earth; autumn. Occasional but probably often overlooked. Not edible.

Moor Club Clavaria argillacea

Pers. Fruit body 3–5cm high, 2–8mm wide, simple; pale dirty yellow to greenishyellow; stem distinct, deeper coloured. Flesh taste slightly of tallow. Spores 9– 12×4.5–6μ, ellipsoid or subcylindrical; white. Habitat often gregarious on heaths; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible.

White Spindles Clavaria fragilis

Holmsk. syn. C. vermicularis Fr. Fruit body 6–12cm high, 3–5mm wide, simple, becoming flattened and grooved; white; very brittle. Spores 5–7×3–4μ, ellipsoid; white. Habitat in dense tufts in fields and grassy places; autumn. Frequent. Edible but of no culinary interest.

Smoky Spindles Clavaria fumosa

Pers. Fruit body 1.5–14cm high, 1.5–7mm wide, simple fusiform or spindle-shaped, often twisted; whitish, pale mouse-grey, or fuliginous; brittle. Spores 5–8×3–4μ, ellipsoid; white. Habitat in dense tufts usually amongst grass, in open situations; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Violet Coral Clavaria zollingeri

Lév. Fruit body 2–7cm high, forming densely branched tufts, usually branching up to 4 times; lilac-violet with lighter-coloured base. Flesh brittle. Spores 4–7×3–5μ, smooth, elliptical to subglobose; white. Basidia 4-spored. Habitat on the ground in damp woodland areas, often with sphagnum moss; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Unknown edibility. Note this is a variable fungus that is sometimes confused with Clavulina amethystina sensu auct. mult., which has numerous branches, larger spores, and 2-spored basidia. In my first book this photograph was named Clavulina amethystina.

Meadow Coral Clavulinopsis corniculata

(Fr.) Corner syn. Clavaria corniculata Fr. Fruit body 2–8cm high, gregarious in tufts, dichotomously branched with incurved, crescentric tips; egg-yellow to ochraceousyellow with white down near base. Flesh taste bitter, smell mealy; tough and firm. Spores 4.5–7μ in diameter, nearly globose; white. Habitat on the ground in lawns, open pastures and woodland; early summer to late autumn. Common. Edible.

Golden Spindles Clavulinopsis fusiformis

(Sowerby) Corner syn. Clavaria fusiformis Sowerby Fruit body 5–14cm high, simple, spindle-shaped; yellowish, tips withering brown. Spores 5–9×4.5–8.5μ, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose; white to yellowish. Habitat amongst grass on heaths, in dense tufts; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Rose Spindles Clavaria rosea

Fr. Fruit body 2–5cm high, 1–5mm wide, simple; bright rose-pink; brittle. Spores 5– 8×2.5–3.5μ, ellipsoid; white. Habitat in woods or amongst grass, solitary or in small groups; autumn. Uncommon. Edible.

Yellow Club Clavulinopsis helvola

(Pers.) Corner syn. Clavaria helvola Pers. Fruit body 3–7cm high, 1.5–4mm wide, simple; yellow to orange-yellow. Spores 4–7×3.5–6μ, subglobose to somewhat angular and bluntly spiny; white or faintly yellow. Habitat solitary or in small groups on the ground in woodland or in open situations amongst grass and moss; late summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Apricot Club Clavulinopsis luteoalba

(Rea) Corner syn. Clavaria luteoalba Rea Fruit body up to 6cm high, 1–4mm wide, simple; light to dark yellow or apricot, with whitish or pallid tip. Spores 5–8×2.5– 4.5μ, ellipsoid; white. Habitat in short grass or on lawns; autumn. Frequent. Unknown edibility.

Beige Coral Clavulinopsis umbrinella

(Sacc.) Corner syn. C. cineroides G.F. Atk. Fruit body up to 7cm high, forming tufts, strongly branched from the base upwards; pale pinkish-grey. Flesh tough. Spores 4– 6μ in diameter, globose; white. Habitat on the ground in woodland; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List, but it is possibly overlooked or confused with other more common species. Unknown edibility.

Yew Club Clavicorona taxophila

(Thom) Doty Fruit body 8–20mm high, 4–9mm wide at flattened or concave apex, tapering towards stalked base; white, yellowing with age. Spores 3–4×2–3μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose; white. Gloeocystidia in hymenium as elongated, thin-walled, vermiform organs with oily contents. Habitat on damp twigs, leaves, and other debris of coniferous and deciduous trees; autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Redleg Club Typhula erythropus

(Pers.) Fr. syn. Clavaria erythropus Pers. Fruit body 5–30mm high, fertile head white and cylindrical to fusiform, stem reddish-brown and thread-like, arising from an elliptical blackish sclerotium on the substrate. Spores 5–9×2.5–3.5μ, oblong; white. Habitat in deciduous woodland on fallen leaves, petioles or other herbaceous debris; autumn. Frequent. Not edible.

Cauliflower Fungus Sparassis crispa

(Wulfen) Fr. Fruit body 20–50cm across, subglobose, cauliflower-like, with numerous flattened, crisped lobes on a short, thick, rooting stem; pale ochraceous to buff, darkening with age. Flesh smell sweetish, pleasant. Spores 5–7×4–5μ, pipshaped; whitish to pale yellow. Habitat with coniferous trees; autumn. Frequent. Edible when young and fresh if thoroughly cleaned.

Grey Coral Clavulina cinerea

(Bull.) J. Schröt. syn. Clavaria cinerea Bull. Fruit body 2.5–10cm high, forming densely branched tufts; grey or ash-coloured. Spores 6.5–11×6–10μ, subglobose or broadly ellipsoid; white. Habitat solitary or gregarious on the ground in woods; summer to autumn. Common. Edible.

White Coral Clavulina coralloides

(L.) J. Schröt. syn.C. cristata (Holmsk.) J. Schröt. Fruit body 2.5–8cm high, forming densely branched tufts, the tips becoming fringed or cristate; white to greyish. Spores 7–11×6.5–10μ, subglobose; white. Habitat solitary or gregarious on the ground in deciduous and coniferous woods; summer to late autumn. Common. Edible.

Wrinkled Club Clavulina rugosa

(Bull.) J. Schröt. syn. Clavaria rugosa Bull. Fruit body 4–10cm high, simple or with a few antler-like side branches, the surface often wrinkled and uneven; white or cream. Spores 9–14×8–12μ, broadly ovoid-ellipsoid to subglobose; white. Habitat solitary or gregarious on the ground in woods; late summer to late autumn. Common. Edible.

Rosso Coral

Ramaria botrytis (Pers.) Ricken Fruit body 7–15cm high, 6–20cm wide, with numerous thick, much-branched, crowded branches; white, becoming tan or ochraceous with pink, red, or purplish tips. Stem 3–4×1.5–6cm, stout. Flesh taste and smell pleasant, fruity. Spores 14–18×4.5–5.5μ, oblong-elliptical, longitudinally striate; ochraceous. Habitat on the ground in broad-leaved woods; late summer to late autumn. Rare. Edible.

Ramaria flava

(Schaeff.) Quél. syn. Clavaria flava Schaeff. Fruit body 10–20cm high, 7–15cm wide with numerous densely crowded branches; lemon- to sulphur-yellow, more ochraceous with age. Stem 50–80×40–50mm; whitish base often bruises reddishbrown, especially with age. Flesh white to pale yellowish; taste mild. Spores 11– 18×4–6.5μ, elliptical, roughened; pale ochraceous. Habitat on the ground in mixed woodland; autumn. Rare, but possibly under-reported. Edible but it has a laxative effect on some people.

RAMARIA The group Ramaria flava, R. formosa, R. aurea is very little understood, so it is well worth recording all the details of appearance, conditions, and habitat of any finds. Then dry the specimens and send them to an established herbarium for further study.

Ramaria formosa

(Pers.) Quél. syn. Clavaria formosa Pers. Fruit body 7–30cm high, 6–15cm wide with numerous branches; pinkish-ochraceous to orange-pink, lemon-yellow at tips. Stem 30–60×25–60mm, much-branched; whitish-orange. Flesh white or tinged orange-yellow, often bruising vinaceous to blackish; taste bitter. Spores 8–15×4–6μ, oblong, elliptic, roughened; ochraceous. Habitat in humus in usually deciduous woods; autumn. Rare, but possibly under-reported. Poisonous causes diarrhoea.

Ramaria aurea

(Fr.) Quél. syn. Clavaria aurea Fr. Fruit body 8–20cm high, 5–12cm wide, densely branched with paler, cauliflower-like tips; egg-yellow or ochraceous, white at the base. Spores 8–15×3–6μ, oblong, minutely roughened; deep ochraceous. Habitat on the ground in mixed woods; autumn. Rare. Edible.

Upright Coral Ramaria stricta

(Pers.) Quél. Fruit body 4–10cm high, 3–8cm wide with numerous dichotomous branches; ochraceous, tinged with flesh-colour, becoming darker or brownishcinnamon with age, tips of branches at first clear yellow then concolorous, all parts bruising vinaceous, stem arising from white mycelium or rhizomorphs. Flesh white or pale yellow; tough; taste slightly peppery, smell sweet. Spores 7–10×4–5μ, oblong, minutely rough to almost smooth; cinnamon-ochraceous. Habitat on stumps of conifers and broad-leaved trees; late summer to winter. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible.

Lentaria afflata

(Lagger) Corner syn. L. delicata Fr. Fruit body up to 3cm high, branched to several ranks; whitish, becoming flushed pink or ochraceous. Spores 4.5–6×2.5–3μ, ellipsoid; white. Habitat on rotting wood; autumn. Unknown edibility. Note Lentaria is in the main a tropical genus, and is very rare in Europe, endangered on Red Data List. It now seems well established in at least one site in the south of England, on a pile of weathered sawdust and rotting wood, where it has been collected in successive years.

Enveloping Crust Sebacina incrustans

(Pers.) Tul. syn. Thelephora sebacea Pers. Fruit body resupinate, encrusting the base of living plants, forming patches 3–10cm across; white, dusted with spores. Spores 15–20×12–15μ, oblong to ovoid; white. Basidia resembling hot cross buns when viewed from above. Habitat encrusting grass, twigs and other organic debris; early spring to late autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Thelephora pencillata

Fr. syn. T. spiculosa Fr. Fruit body 2–15cm across, comprising numerous fine, cottony, spiky branches; purplish-brown, becoming white at the tips. Flesh very thin, cottony. Spores 7–12×6–7μ, elliptical to subglobose with tiny spines; umber. Habitat encrusting dead twigs or leaf litter; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Earthfan Thelephora terrestris

Ehrh. Fruit body 3–6cm across, fan-shaped, vertical to horizontal, forming large clustered groups; reddish- to chocolate-brown, darkening to almost black with age; covered in radiating fibres, becoming paler and fringed at the margin; lower or fertile surface clay-brown to pallid, irregularly wrinkled. Spores 8–9×6–7μ, angular and warted; purple-brown. Habitat in coniferous woods or heaths, usually on sandy soil; late summer to early winter. Common. Not edible.

Stinking Earthfan Thelephora palmata

(Scop.) Fr. Fruit body 2–6cm high, 1–3cm across, comprising several erect, flattened, palmate branches; purple-brown. Stem 10–15×2–5mm. Flesh leathery; smell fetid or strongly of garlic. Spores 8–11×7–8μ, angular, spiny; reddish-brown. Habitat on the ground near conifers; late summer to late autumn. Uncommon. Not edible. Note easily recognized by the strong smell.

Earthfans

JELLY FUNGI This is a small group of fungi with gelatinous-textured fruit bodies of various forms.

Dacrymyces chrysospermus

(Bull.) Tul. Fruit body 1–2.5cm high, 1–6cm wide, a large, lobed, brain-like mass with a white rooting attachment at the base; bright orange to deep orange-red; horny when dry. Flesh tough and gelatinous at first, becoming softer, finally melting away. Spores 17–25×6–8μ, cylindrical to sausage-shaped, smooth, becoming 8- to 10celled; yellowish. Habitat on coniferous wood; summer to autumn. Very rare. Not edible.

Common Jellyspot Dacrymyces stillatus

Nees. syn. Dacrymyces deliquescens sensu auct. Fruit body 1–5mm across, more or less cushion-shaped, often merging into one another; orange-yellow, becoming darker, reddish, and wrinkled with age; gelatinous. Spores 12–15×5–6μ, sausage-shaped, becoming 3-septate; orange-yellow. Basidia resemble tuning-forks. Habitat on damp, decaying wood; all year. Common. Not edible.

Jelly Ear Auricularia auricula-judae

(Bull.) Wettst. Fruit body 3–8cm across, ear-shaped; outer surface tan-brown with minute, greyish, downy hairs; inner surface grey-brown, smooth or often wrinkled and ear-like; gelatinous when fresh, drying hard and horny. Spores 16–18×6–8μ, sausageshaped; white. Basidia elongated cylindrical with 3 transverse septa. Habitat on the branches of deciduous trees, especially elder; all year, especially autumn. Very common. Edible.

Tripe Fungus Auricularia mesenterica

(Dicks.) Pers. Fruit body disc-shaped, then spreading laterally to form densely tiered, gelatinous brackets 2–8cm wide; upper surface hairy, zoned greyish to grey-brown, paler at the lobed margin; lower surface reddish-purple to dark purple with a white bloom; gelatinous, rubbery, coarsely and irregularly wrinkled. Spores 11–13×4–5μ, subcylindrical to somewhat curved; white. Habitat on stumps and logs of deciduous trees, especially elm; all year. Common. Not edible.

Witches’ Butter Exidia glandulosa

(Bull.) Fr. Fruit body 2–6cm across, pendulous, disc-shaped at first with tiny scattered warts, often becoming fused; blackish; gelatinous, upper surface felty. Spores 10–16×4–5μ, sausage-shaped; white. Basidia resembling hot cross buns from above. Habitat on dead wood of deciduous trees, sometimes on dead parts of living trees; all year. Common. Not edible.

Arrhenia retiruga

(Bull.) Redhead syn. Leptoglossum retirugum (Bull.) Ricken Cap 0.5–1.5cm across, cup-shaped then expanded, sessile, margin lobed; whitish-pallid, inner fertile surface whitish-grey, with often interconnected folds or wrinkles radiating from the centre. Spores 7–8×5–6μ, elliptical. Spore print white. Hyphae lacking clamp connections. Habitat usually on moss, very occasionally on dead grass or twigs; winter to spring. Uncommon. Not edible. Note this species is now considered to be a member of the Tricholomataceae and as such should be close to the main entry (here) but it seems better to position it here amongst similarly shaped fungi.

Calocera glossoides

(Pers.) Fr. Fruit body 3–10mm high, conical to club-shaped with a short, distinct stem, often compressed or longitudinally wrinkled; yellow, the stem becoming dark blackish-brown on drying; gelatinous, firm. Spores 12–14(17)×3–5μ, narrowly elliptical to subcylindric or sausage-shaped, becoming 3-septate at maturity; white. Basidia resembling tuning-forks. Habitat on dead branches or stumps of oak; early autumn to early winter. Occasional. Not edible. Note there is a more common species C. pallidospathulata D.A. Reid, occurring as troops of flattened, cream-coloured extrusions on fallen coniferous or deciduous wood.

Small Stagshorn Calocera cornea

(Batsch) Fr. Fruit body 4–10mm high, awl-shaped, rarely forked; yellow when fresh, drying more orange; tough-gelatinous. Spores 7–10×3–4μ, sausage-shaped; white. Basidia resembling tuning-forks. Habitat crowded on twigs and branches of deciduous trees; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Yellow Stagshorn Calocera viscosa

(Pers.) Fr. Fruit body 3–10cm high, dichotomously branched; deep golden to orangeyellow, drying more orange; gelatinous, tough. Spores 9–12×3.5–4.5μ, elliptical to slightly sausage-shaped, becoming 1-septate at maturity; white. Basidia resembling tuning-forks. Habitat on conifer stumps and roots, very firmly attached; autumn. Very common. Not edible. Note easily confused with Clavaria species (here)

Yellow Brain Tremella mesenterica

Retz. Fruit body 2–10cm across, comprising flabby, soft lobes and folds; goldenyellow to orange, drying dark orange; gelatinous, drying horny, brittle. Spores 7– 10×6–10μ, broadly ovate to subglobose; white. Basidia resembling hot cross buns from above. Habitat on dead deciduous branches, sometimes still attached to the tree; all year, especially late autumn. Very common. Not edible. Note occurs only as a parasite on species of Peniophora (here). The Peniophora may not be seen, as the Tremella can occur on the mycelium before fruiting. All Tremella species might occur in the same manner.

Jelly Tooth Pseudohydnum gelatinosum

(Scop.) P. Karst. Fruit body 2–6cm across, spatula-like or fan-shaped; bluish-grey becoming brownish; gelatinous, upper surface finely roughened or downy, lower surface covered in whitish spines 2–5mm long. Spores 5–7×5μ, broadly ovate to subglobose; white. Basidia resembling hot cross buns from above. Habitat on conifer stumps; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Salmon Salad

Guepinia helvelloides (DC) Fr. syn. Tremiscus helvelloides (DC) Donk Fruit body 3– 10cm high, 4–6cm wide, funnel- or spoon-shaped, margin lobed; translucent pinkishwhite to deep rose or apricot; soft and gelatinous, the inner fertile surface smooth or slightly wrinkled. Stem short, off-centre. Spores 10–12x4–5μ, oblong to ellipsoid; white. Habitat on rotting wood or on the ground under conifers; late summer to autumn. Rare on Red Data List, but possibly spreading. Said to be edible but far too rare to eat.

Cowberry Redleaf Exobasidium vaccinii

(Fuckel) Woronin Fruit body forming a whitish or pinkish, powdery, spore-bearing layer on gall-like, thickened, distorted leaves and shoots. Spores 10–20×2.5–5μ, elongate, becoming 3-septate at maturity; white. Habitat leaves and young shoots or flowers of members of the Ericaceae, especially Vaccinium; late spring to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Bolete Mould Hypomyces chrysospermus

Tul. & C. Tul. Fruit body 3-stage mould that grows on Boletes (here–85), at first white and mouldy, then yellow and powdery, finally reddish-brown and pimpled (this stage is rarely seen). Spores in white stage (asexual) 10–30×5–12μ, ellipsoid, smooth; in yellow stage (asexual) 10–25×10–25μ, globose, warty, thick-walled; in final stage (sexual) 25–30×5–6μ, spindle-shaped, transparent. Habitat singly or in groups on boletes; also reported on Paxillus (here). Common. Not edible possibly poisonous.

Hypomyces hyalinus

(Schwein) Tul. & C. Tul. Fruit body whitish to pink-tinged mould with reddish or amber perithecia; forms a dense, thick covering on Amanita hosts (here–52), distorting them into unrecognizable thick, club-shaped forms. Spores 13–22×4.5– 6.5μ, fusiform, unequally 2-celled, strongly warted; transparent. Habitat on Amanita species including Amanita rubescens; summer to autumn. Very rare in Britain. Not edible.

Hypomyces tulasneanus

Plowr. syn. H. luteovirens (Fr.) Tul. & C. Tul. Fruit body white then olive-green to dark green mould with dark green perithecia that project as small pimples; covers the gills and stalk of Lactarius (here–67) and Russula (here–47) mushrooms. Spores 28– 35×4.5–5.5μ, fusiform, 1-celled, finely warted; transparent. Habitat in woods on various species of Russula and Lactarius; summer to autumn. Not edible.

Corda Corn Smut, Cuitlacoche, Huitlacoche

Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda Form bulbous, greyish-white growth with black interior on corn (maize) cobs, sometimes grey-black patches on leaves or stems. Teliospores are dispersed by wind on maturity, overwintering in the soil to infect the next year’s growth. Pseudohyphae and short hyphae with clamp connections sometimes present. Blastoconidia irregular, fusiform. Habitat on maize plants; summer to autumn. Rarely reported in Britain, but on the increase as corn becomes more common; found all over the world, most easily in Mexico and some parts of the United States. Edible choice when maturing on corn cobs; for best eating, should be harvested 16–18 days after infection, once the teliospores are mature. Note for farmers all over the world this smut fungus has been considered a pest, but in Mexico the infected corn is a delicacy known as Cuitlacoche or Huitlacoche (the name taken from the ancient Nauhatl); here and in some parts of the United States crops are deliberately infected.

Ascomycetes The Spore Shooters

This is a distinct division of the fungi. The spores of Ascos form inside sacks just beneath the surface, called asci, and are expelled when they are ripe. This can often be observed by collecting a fresh cup fungus and breathing heavily onto it; it may respond to the change in temperature by shooting out its spores, which can be observed as a cloud of mist. This method of distribution allows the Ascos to take on a very wide range of forms. The spores of the fungi in this section of the book are white to cream or yellowish, with a very few exceptions in which the colour is detailed in the profile. Nomenclature of the Ascomycetes is as per the online British Mycological Society Check List at the time of going to print.

Morchella esculenta

MORCHELLA In the past many mycologists, especially Boudier in France, named forms of Morchella as different species based on colour and shape; however, current thinking is that these differences do not warrant specific rank. Morels have long been prized as one of the most important edible fungi, possibly second only to truffles, and prices in markets reflect this. All morels need to be cooked; eaten raw, they have been found to cause stomach upsets.

Morchella esculenta

Morel, Morille Morchella esculenta

(L.) Pers. Fruit body 6–20cm high, very variable. Cap round to ovoid or obtusely conical; pale yellowish-brown, darkening and browning with age; ridges acute, forming an irregular honeycomb around angular pits. Stem slightly swollen at the base, longitudinally furrowed; whitish to ochraceous-cream; minutely scurfy. Spores 16–19×8.5–11μ, broadly elliptical. Asci 330×20μ. Habitat in open scrub or woodland or on waste ground, especially on chalky soil, usually associated with ash, elm, or apple trees; late spring, normally around St George’s Day. Uncommon. Edible excellent. Note several forms are recognized, especially in mainland Europe; M. esculenta var. rotunda has a roundish, ochre-yellow fertile head, while that of M. esculenta var. crassipes is grey-brown and the stalk granular and much swollen at the base; M. esculenta var. umbrina is smaller than the type, with a dark greyish-black fertile head.

Morchella esculenta f. vulgaris

Pers. syn. M. vulgaris (Pers.) Boud.. Fruit body 5–12cm high. Cap ovoid, ridges obtuse and irregular, pits irregular; ridges grey-brown, becoming paler or ochraceous with age, pits dark grey-brown, later more ochraceous-cream. Stem hollow. Spores 16–18×9–11μ. Asci 330×20μ. Habitat in gardens and wasteland, often in association with pine on chalky soil; late spring. Uncommon. Edible excellent.

Morchella elata

Fr. Fruit body 5–14cm high. Cap narrow, conical, ridges in more or less parallel vertical lines; blackening with age; pits rectangular, olive-brown. Stem cylindrical; whitish to pale brown with age; coarsely granular. Spores 18–25×11–15μ, elliptical. Asci 330×20μ. Habitat in coniferous woods on chalk soil; late spring. Rare. Edible. Note M. elata var. purpurescens Krombh., differing from M. elata mainly in its pale violaceous fertile head, has been reported only twice, from Scotland. It is possible that after further work this species will become part of M. esculenta (above).

Semifree Morel Morchella semilibera

DC. syn. Mitrophora semilibera (DC) Lév. Cap 2–4cm high, conical, with more or less vertical, membranous ridges, the lower part free of the stem as shown, unlike others in the genus, in which it is attached to the stem; dark olive-brown. Stem 40– 80×15–25mm, cylindrical; whitish-cream; hollow, the surface scurfy. Spores 22– 30×14–18μ. Asci 450×25μ. Habitat in damp woodland; spring. Occasional. Said to be edible but it can cause stomach upsets.

False Morel Gyromitra esculenta

(Pers.) Fr. Cap 3–9cm across, irregularly lobed, extremely convoluted, brain-like; reddish-brown or darker. Stem 20–40×20–40mm; pale flesh-coloured; becoming hollow in chambers, faintly grooved. Spores 18–22×9–12μ, elliptical, containing 2 or more yellowish oil drops. Asci 325×18μ. Habitat with conifers, especially pine, usually on sandy soil; spring. Occasional. Deadly poisonous when raw, and harmful to many even when properly cooked. It is eaten in Eastern Europe after a process in which it is boiled, the water from boiling is discarded, and it is then cooked in fresh water, but in spite of this cases of poisoining are still recorded; evidence suggests the effect is cumulative, since poisoning may occur after eating it on more than one occasion, having suffered no ill effects after eating it the first time. Avoid.

Pouched False Morel Gyromitra infula

(Schaeff.) Boud. Cap 3–8cm across, saddle-shaped or 3-lobed, the margin incurved; reddish-brown to dark brown; wrinkled to convoluted. Stem 10–60×20mm, sometimes irregular; whitish to buff; hollow. Flesh brittle. Spores 19–23×7–8μ, ellipsoid, smooth, containing 2 large oil drops. Habitat singly or scattered on humus and rotting wood or debris; summer to autumn. Rare, vulnerable on Red Data List. Poisonous.

Gyromitra ambigua

(P. Karst.) Harmaja Cap 2–7cm across, saddle-shaped to 3-lobed, the margin incurved; dark reddish-brown, distinctly tinged with violet, sometimes almost black when dry; hymenium smooth when young, becoming irregularly wrinkled. Stem 10– 40×5–10mm, sometimes irregular, thicker towards the base; whitish to buff with violet tints; hollow. Flesh taste mild, smell not distinctive. Spores 22–33×7.5–12μ, subfusiform to broadly fusiform, with 2 large oil drops. Habitat singly or in groups on barren, sandy soil along roads and paths near pine; autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility avoid.

Gyromitra gigas

(Krombh.) Cooke Cap 4–15cm across and high, brain-like, round to ellipsoid, margin irregularly lobed, sometimes fused to stem; yellow-brown to tan, more reddish-brown in age, underside whitish; deeply convoluted and wrinkled, interior chambered. Stem 5–10cm long and wide, thick, short; whitish; ribbed, wrinkled, or grooved, the interior multi-channelled or folded in cross-section. Flesh brittle. Spores 24–36×10–15μ, ellipsoid, smooth or finely warted. Habitat singly or in groups on soil or humus under conifers; early summer. Very rare, endangered on Red Data List; only one record for Britain to date. Not edible contains toxic hydrazines.

Thimble Morel Verpa conica

(O. F. Müll.) Sw. Fruit body 4–9cm high. Cap pendulous, ovoid at first, then becoming bell-shaped, attached to the stem at centre; dark olive-brown. Stem cylindrical; whitish, covered in brownish granules arranged in irregular horizontal bands. Spores 20–24×12–14μ, elliptical. Asci 350×23μ. Habitat under hawthorn scrub on chalk soil; late spring. Occasional. Said to be edible but not worthwhile.

Bleach Cup Disciotis venosa

(Pers.) Fr. Cup 3–15cm across, saucer-shaped with a short, thick stalk, which is often buried in the soil; inner surface dark brown, corrugate, especially at the centre; outer surface whitish and slightly scurfy. Spores 19–25×12–15μ, broadly elliptical. Asci 320×20μ. Habitat in lawns or on soil in woodland; spring. Occasional. Poisonous.

White Saddle Helvella crispa

(Scop.) Fr. Cap 2–5cm high, saddle-shaped, convoluted at centre, deeply lobed; whitish, underside pale buff or tan. Stem 20–60×10–20mm; white; hollow, deeply furrowed. Spores 18–20×10–13μ, elliptical. Asci 300×18μ. Habitat on path sides in damp, deciduous woods; late summer to autumn, occasionally spring. Common. Edible poor.

Elastic Saddle Helvella elastica

Bull. syn. Leptopodia elastica (Bull.) Boud. Cap 1–3cm high, saddle-shaped, irregularly lobed; grey-brown to yellowish-brown; underside whitish, drying ochraceous, smooth. Stem 40–70×3–7mm, often compressed; whitish. Spores 19– 22×11–13μ. Asci 330×20μ. Habitat on open ground in woodland; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible but poor.

Elfin Saddle Helvella lacunosa

Afzel. Cap 1.5–4cm high, saddle-shaped with convolute lobes, one lobe often pointing upwards and recurved; grey to blackish, the underside paler. Stem 20– 60×10–20mm; pale grey; hollow, deeply furrowed. Spores 17–20×10–13μ. Asci 350×18μ. Habitat in mixed woodland, especially on burnt ground; summer to autumn. Frequent. Edible poor.

Helvella atra

J. König syn. Leptopodia atra (J. König) Boud. Cup 1.5–3cm high, folded back on itself into a twisted, flattened disc; dark-brown to blackish, underside paler light grey . Stem 30–65×3–7mm, slightly twisted; concolorous with cap or darker; tough, full of white pith. Spores 17–18×11–12μ, broadly elliptical. Asci 250×15μ. Habitat mixed woodland; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Unnown edibility.

Felt Saddle Helvella macropus

(Pers.) P. Karst. syn. Macroscyphus macropus Pers. Gray Cup 1–4cm across, expanding and turning back on itself; inner surface grey-brown, outer appearing pale grey due to dense covering of tufted, downy hairs. Stem 15–60×3–5mm, tapering upwards, often flattened or compressed; covered in tufts of grey, downy hairs. Flesh thin, white. Spores 20–30×10–12μ, fusiform, containing a large central oil drop with a smaller one at each end. Asci 35–20μ in diameter. Habitat in deciduous and coniferous woods; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Helvella corium

(O. Weberb.) Massee. syn. Cyathipodia corium (O. Weberb.) Boud. Fruit body stalked, cup-like then expanded. Cap inside black, smooth; outer surface lighter due to downy hairs. Stem 10–30mm long; black, covered in a down of dark grey-brown, thin-walled, septate hairs. Spores 20–22×12–14μ, broadly elliptical, smooth, containing one large oil drop. Asci 300×18μ. Habitat on sandy soil, often on dunes; summer to autumn. Uncommon but locally abundant. Not edible.

Helvella leucomelaena

(Pers.) Nannf. syn. Paxina leucomelas (Pers.) Kuntze Cup 2–4cm across, deeply cupshaped, margin splitting; inner surface dark greyish-brown, outer pale grey to buff and finely downy, not ribbed. Stem 5–15×10–15mm; whitish; ribbed, with ribs extending to base of cup. Spores 18–22×12–14μ, broadly elliptical. Asci 400×20μ. Habitat in woodlands and on heaths; spring to early autumn. Uncommon. Poisonous unless well cooked.

Vinegar Cup Helvella acetabulum

(L.) Quél. syn. Paxina acetabula (L.) Kuntze Cup 4–6cm across, deeply cup-shaped; inner surface dark chestnut-brown, outer paler, finely downy. Stem 10–40×20–30mm; whitish; deeply furrowed, strongly ribbed along underside, more or less hollow. Spores 18–22×12–14μ, broadly elliptical. Asci 400×20μ. Habitat amongst leaf litter in woods, usually on calcareous soil; spring to summer. Occasional. Poisonous unless well cooked.

Peziza badioconfusa

Korf Cup 3–10cm across, deeply cup-shaped, becoming irregular, sessile; inner surface dull reddish-brown, outer surface similar, roughened, unpolished. Flesh brittle. Spores 17–21×8–10μ, ellipsoid, finely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci about 140×12μ; amyloid. Habitat singly or in groups on humus or beside old logs; early summer. Rare. Said to be edible.

Bay Cup Peziza badia

Pers. Cup 3–8cm across, cup-shaped at first, becoming irregularly wavy with age, sessile; inner surface olive-brown, outer reddish-brown, slightly scurfy. Flesh thin, reddish-brown, yielding a watery juice. Spores 17–20×9–12μ, elliptical, irregularly reticulate, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 330×15μ, blued at tip by iodine. Habitat on soil, especially on open clay banks or along path sides; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous unless thoroughly cooked.

Peziza bovina

W. Phillips Cup up to 1.5cm across, cup-shaped, margin upturned, sessile; inner surface cinnamon-brown, outer surface a little paler, scurfy. Flesh brittle. Spores 19– 22×9–10μ, ellipsoid, smooth. Habitat on dung; late spring to early summer. Rare. Not edible.

Bonfire Cauliflower Peziza proteana f. sparassoides

(Boud.) Korf Fruit body 3–12cm across, up to 25cm high, extremely convoluted, sessile; inner, spore-bearing surface whitish with ochraceous tints, smooth, outer flushed pinkish, scurfy; brittle. Spores 10–13×6–7μ, minutely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 300×11μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on fire sites; autumn. Rare. Edible.

Peziza petersii

Berk. syn. Galactinia sarrazinii Boud. Cup 3–5cm across, cup-shaped, often clustered, sessile; inner surface reddish-brown, dark grey at centre, outer reddishbrown at margin, dark grey towards base, scurfy. Flesh greyish; thin. Spores 10– 12×5.5–6μ, finely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 200×10μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on burnt wood and soil, often on fire sites; early summer to autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Charcoal Cup Peziza echinospora

P. Karst. Cup 3–8cm across, cup-shaped, margin incurved, sessile; inner surface dark reddish-brown, outer whitish, flushed brown, scurfy. Flesh brown; thin. Spores 14– 18×7–9.5μ, oblong-elliptical, finely warted. Asci 300×14μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on burnt wood and ground; late spring to autumn. Common. Not edible.

Palamino Cup Peziza repanda

Wahlenb. Cup 3–12cm across, cup-shaped at first, expanding and becoming wavy, margin toothed, sessile; inner surface pale ochraceous-brown to chestnut, outer ochraceous-cream, slightly scurfy. Spores 15–16×9–10μ, elliptical, smooth. Asci 300×13μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat in leaves around stumps, large forms on sawdust; spring to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Peziza saniosa

Schrad. Cup 1–1.5cm across, shallowly concave; inner surface dark blue-black, yielding bluish juice, outer dark grey-brown, scurfy. Spores 14–16.5×7–9μ, coarsely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 250×13μ. Habitat on the ground in woods; late summer to autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Yellowing Cup Peziza succosa

Berk. Cup 2–5cm across, cup-shaped, expanding to shallowly cup-shaped or even somewhat disc-like, margin sometimes somewhat lobed, sessile; inner surface greybrown with a slight olivaceous tint, outer surface whitish, greyish, or yellowish. Flesh whitish, yielding yellow juice that stains cup edges and flesh; thin. Spores 17–22×9– 12μ, ellipsoid, warty, ridged, containing 2 large oil drops. Asci 350×18μ. Habitat on damp soil in woods; summer. Occasional. Not edible.

Peziza violacea

Pers. Cup 1–4cm across, cup-shaped, expanding, often in clusters, sessile; inner surface violaceous, sometimes with a brown tint, outer paler, slightly scurfy. Flesh mauve; thin. Spores 11–13×6–8μ, finely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 250×10μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on fire sites; autumn to summer. Uncommon. Not edible. Note in my first book this species was referred to as Peziza praetervisa Bres.

Cellar Cup Peziza cerea

Sowerby Cup 1–5cm across, cup-shaped, sessile; inner surface pale yellowish-buff, outer similarly coloured, scurfy, darkening towards base. Flesh whitish; firm; smell slight. Spores 14–17×8–10μ, elliptical, smooth. Asci 350×16μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on rotting sandbags, damp mortar, and soil between damp paving stones, often found in cellars; all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Blistered Cup Peziza vesiculosa

Bull. Cup 3–8cm across, often in clusters, cup-shaped, margin often strongly inrolled, sessile; inner surface pale yellowish-buff, often wrinkled, outer light buff, very scurfy. Flesh light buff; brittle. Spores 20–24×11–14μ, elliptical, smooth. Asci 380×25μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on manure, rotting straw, and rich soil; all year. Frequent. Poisonous unless well cooked.

Plicaria endocarpoides

(Berek.) Rifai. syn. Plicaria leiocarpa (Curr.) Boud. Cup 1–6cm across, cup-shaped, soon expanding, becoming almost flat, sessile; inner surface blackish-brown, outer dull brown covered in black, sooty patches. Flesh yellowish-buff, yielding yellowish juice on cutting. Spores 8–9μ in diameter, globose, smooth, containing several small oil drops. Asci 200×10μ, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on bonfire sites or on heaths after forest fires; autumn to spring. Frequent. Not edible.

Pine Firefungus Rhizina undulata

Fr. syn. R. inflata (Schaeff.) Quél. Fruit body 4–12cm across, 2–8cm high, irregularly lobed, wavy cushions, attached to substrate by numerous whitish rhizoids growing down from the underside; chestnut-brown to black, margin paler. Flesh reddish-brown; tough, thick. Spores 22–40×8–11μ, fusiform, containing 2 or more oil drops. Asci 400×20μ. Habitat on conifer debris, especially on fire sites; early summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Note causes ‘group dying’, a serious disease of conifers.

Otidea cantharella

(Fr.) Quél. syn Flavoscypha cantharella (Fr.) Häffner Cup 1–5cm high, elongate earshaped; bright sulphur-yellow, base whitish. Flesh white; thin. Spores 10–12×5–6μ, elliptical, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 150×10μ, not blued by iodine. Paraphyses slender, curved at the tip. Habitat in soil on roadsides and in parks and mixed woods; late summer to autumn. Very rare, rare on Red Data List. Not edible.

Hare’s Ear Otidea onotica

(Pers.) Fuckel syn. Peziza onotica Pers. Cup 2–6cm wide, 3–10cm high, lopsided, irregularly ear-shaped, attached to substrate by a short, indistinct whitish stalk; inner surface ochraceous, flushed pinkish, outer similarly coloured, slightly scurfy. Flesh white; thin. Spores 12–13×5–6μ, broadly elliptical, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 250×10μ, not blued by iodine. Paraphyses slender, curved at tip. Habitat in soil in deciduous or mixed woodland; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Tan Ear Otidea alutacea

(Pers.) Massee syn. Peziza alutacea Pers. Cup 2–4cm wide, 2–5cm high, lopsided, irregularly wavy, split at the shorter side; inner surface clay-buff, outer pale fawnbuff, slightly scurfy. Flesh yellowish; thick. Spores 12–15×6–7μ, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 250×15μ, not blued by iodine. Paraphyses slender, curved at tip. Habitat often in clusters, in soil in woods; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Toad’s Ear Otidea bufonia

(Pers.) Boud. Cup 1–7cm across, cup-shaped, becoming irregularly wavy and splitting at one side; inner surface dark brown, outer slightly paler, minutely downy. Flesh brown; thin. Spores 13–15×6.5–7μ, elliptical-fusiform, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 160–200×10–12μ, not blued by iodine. Paraphyses slender, strongly curved at tip. Habitat on roadsides and in woodland; late summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Brown Ear Otidea cochleata

(L.) Fuckel syn. O. umbrina (Pers.) Bres. Cap 3–6cm across, split on one side, subsessile; inner surface tan to dark brown, outer ochraceous-buff, slightly scurfy. Spores 16–18×7–8μ. Asci 200–260×11–12μ, tips not blued by iodine. Habitat on bare earth or in sparse grass in deciduous or coniferous woodland; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.

Glazed Cup Humaria hemisphaerica

(F.H. Wigg.) Fuckel syn. Peziza hemisphaerica F.H. Wigg. Cup 0.5–3cm across, remaining cup-shaped, sessile; inner surface whitish, outer densely covered in stiff, thick-walled, dark brown, septate hairs with acute apices, 500×20μ, or up to 1mm long at margin. Flesh whitish. Spores 20–40×10–12μ, broadly elliptical, coarsely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 350×20μ, not blued by iodine. Habitat on soil or damp, rotten wood; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Scutellinia umbrorum

(Fuckel) Lambotte Differing from S. scutellata in its large size (up to 1.5cm), shorter, less conspicuous hairs (0.6mm long) and larger spores (20–22×14–15μ); the spore ornament is much coarser than that of S. scutellata (below) . The habitat and season of both species are similar. Occasional.

Common Eyelash Scutellinia scutellata

(L.) Lambotte Cup 0.2–1cm across, shallowly disc-shaped; inner surface bright orange-red, outer pale brown, covered in stiff, dark brown or black hairs up to 1,000μ long and 40μ wide towards the forked, rooting bases, narrowing towards the pointed apices, septate, visible without a lens as distinct ‘eyelashes’ at the margin. Spores 18– 19×10–12μ, elliptical, roughened, containing several small oil drops. Asci 300×25μ. Habitat on damp soil or rotten wood; late spring to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Tazzetta scotica

(Rea) Y.J. Yao & Spooner Cup 1–2cm across, remaining tightly cup-shaped when mature, margin irregularly and finely toothed, sessile or with a rudimentary stem; inner surface pale grey-buff, outer lighter due to covering of fine, pale down. Spores 18–23×10–14μ, broadly elliptical, smooth, containing 2 large oil drops. Asci 300×15μ, not blued by iodine. Habitat in damp, mossy woods; spring to autumn. Very rare. Not edible. Note the change in spelling from Tarzetta. In my first book this was determined as Tarzetta cupularis (L. ex Fr.) Lamb, to which it is very closely related.

Cedar Cup Geopora sumneriana

(Cooke) M. Torre syn. Sepultaria sumneriana (Cooke) Massee Cup 4–7cm across, initially a hollow sphere just below soil surface, later breaking through, splitting into several recurring lobes, exposing the pale yellowish interior; exterior brownish, densely covered in dark hairs. Flesh white; thick, brittle. Spores 30–37×14×16μ, ellipsoid-fusiform, containing 2 large oil drops. Asci 350μ long. Habitat under cedars; winter to late spring. Uncommon. Not edible.

Geopora sepulta

(Fr.) Korf. & Burds. Fruit body 1–3cm across, subglobose, subterranean, appearing on the surface when mature, resembling small insect burrows as the upper part splits open; disc cream-coloured. Spores 24–28×15–18μ, broadly ellipsoid. Asci 230×18μ. Habitat in sandy soil or silt; autumn to late spring. Very rare. Not edible. Note in my first book this species was incorrectly named Sepultaria arenicola (Lev.) Massee.

Anemone Cup Dumontinia tuberosa

(Bull.) L. M. Kohn syn. Sclerotinia tuberosa (Hedw.) Fuckel Cup 1–3cm across, initially deeply cup-shaped then expanding; inner surface tan to chestnut-brown, outer similarly coloured or paler, smooth. Stem up to 10cm long; brown; smooth. Spores 12–17×6–9μ, elliptical, smooth, 1 small oil drop at either end. Asci 170×10μ. Habitat from large black sclerotia on old tubers of Anemone, occasionally Ranunculus; early spring. Rare but probably often overlooked. Not edible.

Octospora rutilans

(Fr.) Dennis & Itzerott syn. Neottiella rutilans (Fr.) Dennis Cup 0.5–1.5cm across, saucer-shaped, short stalk at the centre almost buried in substrate; inner surface bright yellowish-orange, outer whitish, flushed orange towards margin, covered in minute, downy white hairs. Spores 22–25×13–15μ, broadly elliptical, reticulate, containing 1 or 2 oil drops. Asci 300×20μ. Habitat on heathland or sandy soil amongst Polytrichum mosses; autumn to winter. Uncommon. Not edible.

Anthracobia macrocystis

(Cooke) Boud. Cup 1–3mm across, shallowly disc-shaped then flattened, sessile; inner surface bright yellowish-orange, outer paler, dotted brown towards margin by fine, downy hairs. Spores 16–18×7–8μ, oblong-ellipsoid, smooth, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 200×15μ. Habitat in swarms on burnt ground; summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Orange Cup Melastiza cornubiensis

(Berk. & Broome) J. Moravec syn. Melastiza chateri (W.G. Sm.) Boud. Cup 0.5–2cm across, saucer-shaped, sessile; inner surface vermillion-orange, outer paler, covered in minute, downy brown hairs, especially near margin. Spores 17–19×9–11μ, ellipsoid, coarsely reticulated. Asci 300×15μ. Habitat on bare sandy or gravelly soil; autumn to spring. The most common member of the genus. Not edible.

Bog Beacon Mitrula paludosa

Fr. Fruit body 1–4cm high, fertile head ovoid or club-shaped; smooth yellow to orange, stem white. Spores 10–15×2.5–3μ, cylindrical-ellipsoid. Asci 150×8μ. Habitat on rotting twigs and leaves in damp ditches or amongst sphagnum; spring to summer. Occasional. Not edible.

Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca

(O. Beck ex Sacc.) Boud. Cup 1–5cm across, cup-shaped, margin becoming tattered as it expands, attached to substrate by a short stalk; inner surface bright scarlet, outer whitish, covered in white, matted, tufted hairs. Spores 24–32×12–14μ, cylindricellipsoid; containing several small oil drops. Asci 400×16μ, not blued by iodine. Habitat gregarious on dead wood; early winter to early spring. Occasional. Edible but not worthwhile. Note in my first book this fungus was named Sarcoscypha coccinea (Fr.) Lamb. Unfortunately I do not have the specimens of this fungus in my herbarium, but Dr Brian Spooner of Kew thinks it more likely to be S. austriaca, which has now been recognized as the more common of the two British species.

Orange Peel Fungus Aleuria aurantia

(Pers.) Fuckel syn. Peziza aurantia Pers. Cup 0.5–10cm across, cup-shaped, becoming wavy and flattened; inner surface bright yellowish-orange, outer whitish, covered in fine, white down visible under a hand lens. Flesh whitish; thin, brittle. Spores 17–24×9–11μ, elliptical, coarsely reticulate, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 220×13μ, not blued by iodine. Habitat gregarious, on bare soil or amongst grass in lawns or at roadsides; early autumn to early winter. Common. Edible.

Microglossum viride

(Pers.) Gillet Fruit body 1–5cm high, 0.2–0.5cm wide. Fertile head club-shaped, deeply furrowed; olive-green; smooth. Stalk paler than head, distinctly scurfy. Spores 15–20×5–6μ, cylindrical to fusiform, containing large oil drops. Asci 150×10μ. Habitat often in dense clusters amongst moss in deciduous woods; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Hairy Earthtongue Trichoglossum hirsutum

(Pers.) Boud. Fruit body 2–8cm high, 0.3–0.8cm wide. Fertile head flattenedcylindrical to more club-shaped, tapering into stalk; black. Stalk slender, compressed; velvety. Spores 100–150×6–7μ, 15-septate at maturity, subcylindrical; brown. Asci 220×20μ. Setae projecting between the asci numerous, thick-walled, black, stiff, pointed. Habitat amongst grass or sphagnum on acid soil; late summer to autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Geoglossum cookeanum

Nannf. Fruit body 3–7cm high, 0.5–1cm wide, flattened club-shaped, tapering into the narrower stalk; black; smooth. Spores 50–90×5–7μ, subcylindrical, 7-septate; brown. Asci 180×20μ. Paraphyses elongated terminally in a short chain of almost globose to barrel-shaped segments up to 8m wide. Habitat in grassland, especially on sandy soils; autumn. Occasional. Not edible

Jellybaby Leotia lubrica

(Scop.) Pers. Fruit body 1–6cm high. Fertile head convex, the margin inrolled and irregularly lobed; olivaceous-ochre; viscid. Stalk 3–8mm wide, tapering towards base; ochraceous, covered in minute, greenish granules; becoming hollow. Flesh gelatinous in head. Spores 20–25×4–6μ, subfusiform. Asci 150×10–12μ. Habitat in damp broad-leaved woodland, along the sides of paths, or under bracken; late summer to late autumn. Common. Not edible.

Black Bulgar Bulgaria inquinans

(Pers.) Fr. Fruit body 1–4cm across, rubbery, globose, the margin tightly inrolled when young, brownish, the exterior scurfy, later expanding and then flattened, with a smooth, black disc. Spores 11–14×6–7μ, kidney-shaped; the upper 4 in the ascus dark brown, the lower 4 colourless. Spore print dark, sooty brown. Asci 200×9μ. Habitat gregarious on dead wood of deciduous trees, especially oak, less commonly on beech; autumn. Common. Not edible. Note this may at first be confused with Exidia glandulosa (here), but is easily distinguished on closer examination by its lack of the small pimples on the disc that are seen in the Exidia, a more irregular shape, and watery, gelatinous consistency. The two are also easily distinguished by taking a spore print; the spores of Bulgaria are dark brown, while those of Exidia are colourless.

Alder Goblet Ciboria caucus

(Rebent.) Fuckel syn. C. amentacea (Balb.) Fuckel Cup 0.5–1cm across, cup-shaped or more shallow, especially with age, attached to substrate by a slender, light brown stalk up to 3cm long; inner surface light brown, outer similarly coloured and smooth. Spores 7.5–10.5×4.5–6μ. Asci 135×9μ, ellipsoid. Habitat on fallen male alder or willow catkins; early spring. Occasional. Not edible.

Ciboria batschiana

(Zopf) N.F. Buchw. Cup 0.5–1.5cm across, concave at first then flattened, attached by a slender, dark brown stalk up to 2cm long; inner surface cinnamon, outer similarly coloured, finely downy. Spores 6–11×4–6μ, ellipsoid. Asci 150×8μ. Habitat on old acorns; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Cinnamon Jellybaby Cudonia confusa

Bres. Fruit body 2–3cm high. Fertile head 7–12mm across, convex then centrally depressed, margin incurved; ochre-cinnamon to reddish-brown; viscid. Stem 20– 30×1–2mm, more or less concolorous with head. Spores 35–45×2μ, cylindrical, becoming multiseptate, budding in ascus. Asci 105–120×10–12μ. Habitat in tufts in coniferous woods; late summer to autumn. Very rare, rare on Red Data List. Not edible.

Lanzia luteovirescens

(Roberge ex Desm.) Dumont & Korf syn. Rutstroemia luteovirescens (Roberge ex Desm.) W.L. White Cup up to 4mm across, concave at first then flattened, attached by a stalk up to 12mm long; inner surface olivaceous yellow-buff, outer similarly coloured, smooth. Spores 12–15×5–7μ, elliptical, often containing 2 oil drops. Asci 150–12μ. Habitat on petioles of fallen sycamore leaves. Occasional. Not edible.

Brown Cup Rutstroemia firma

P. Karst. Cup 0.5–1.5cm across, cup-shaped, expanding flattened and wavy, attached by a stalk 2–3mm long; inner surface ochraceous-brown, outer similarly coloured, becoming wrinkled. Spores 14–19×4–6.5μ, narrowly elliptical. Asci 150×8μ. Habitat on fallen oak branches; autumn to early winter. Occasional. Not edible.

Beech Jellydisc Neobulgaria pura

(Fr.) Petr. Fruit body 0.5–2cm across, gregarious, subglobose at first, margin inrolled, showing the smooth exterior, becoming flattened on top or concave; fleshcoloured, often with a violaceous tint; gelatinous. Spores 6–9×3–4μ, elliptical, containing 2 small oil drops. Asci 70×9μ. Habitat on logs and fallen branches, especially beech; early summer to early winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Neobulgaria pura var. foliacea

(Bres.) Dennis & Gamundi Similar to N. pura (above) except as detailed here. Fruit body up to 10cm across, extremely convoluted; pale flesh-colour at first, later darkening to reddish-purple; rubbery, gelatinous. Rare.

Purple Jellydisc Ascocoryne sarcoides

(Jacq.) J.W. Groves & D.E. Wilson syn. Coryne sarcoides (Jacq.) Tul. & C. Tul. Fruit body 0.1–1.5cm across, inverted cone-shaped with flattened disc or concave tending to cup-shaped, margin often irregularly lobed, sessile or on a short stalk; reddish-purple. Flesh gelatinous. Spores 10–19×3–5μ, ellipsoid, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 160×10μ. Habitat gregarious on dead wood, especially beech; late summer to early winter. Common. Not edible.

Ascocoryne cylichnium

(Tul.) Korf syn. Coryne cylichnium (Tul.) Sacc. Similar to A. sarcoides (above) but generally larger and more cup-shaped, with larger spores (18–30×4–6μ), which become multiseptate and bud off secondary spores while still in the ascus. Frequent.

Oak Pin Cudoniella acicularis

(Bull.) J. Schröt. Cap 1–4mm across, convex, margin inrolled, attached to substrate by a slender stalk up to 10mm long; white, ageing brownish. Spores 15–22×4–5μ, fusiform. Asci 120×13μ. Habitat gregarious on rotting wood, especially oak; autumn to early winter. Frequent. Not edible.

Lemon Disco Bisporella citrina

(Batsch) Korf & S.E. Carp. syn. Calycella citrina (Hedw.) Boud. Fruit body 0.5– 3mm across, saucer-shaped, tapered below to small base; bright yellow, becoming orange-yellow when old or dried; exterior smooth. Spores 9–14×3–5μ, elliptical, often becoming 1-septate, containing 2 oil drops at each end. Asci 135×10μ. Habitat gregarious in dense swarms on dead wood of deciduous trees; autumn. Common. Not edible.

Beechmast Candlesnuff Xylaria carpophila

(Pers.) Fr. Similar to X. hypoxylon (below) but generally much more slender. Habitat on old, rotting beech mast; all year. Common. Not edible.

Dead Moll’s Fingers Xylaria longipes

Nitschke Similar to X. polymorpha (below) but altogether more slender. Spores smaller, 12–16×5–7μ. Habitat on stumps and fallen branches, usually of sycamore; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Dead Man’s Fingers Xylaria polymorpha

(Pers.) Grev. Fruit body 3–8cm high, 1–3cm wide, irregularly club-shaped, passing into a short, cylindrical stalk below; black; finely wrinkled or roughened. Flesh white; tough; the section shows the distinctive pattern of the spore-producing cavities, the perithecia, just below the surface crust. Spores 20–32×5–9μ, fusiform; blackish. Asci 200×10μ. Habitat in groups on stumps, usually beech; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Stag’s Horn or Candlesnuff Fungus Xylaria hypoxylon

(L.) Grev. Fruit body 1–6cm high, subcylindrical at first, becoming flattened and branched into an antler-like shape; upper branches powdered white, finally tipped black when mature, stalk black, hairy. Spore 11–14×5–6μ, bean-shaped; black. Asci 100×8μ. Habitat on dead wood; all year. Very common. Not edible.

TRUFFLES These are mainly of the genus Tuber, which contains a great many species in Europe; most are small and insignificant, but it also includes the very important and much-sought-after edible truffles: the Black Truffle so much in demand in France, the Italian White Truffle, and the Summer Truffle, which is the main and most important species in Britain. All are to be found underground in association with trees, usually just below the surface; when fully grown they may be found just breaking through the surface.

Tuberaestivum

Summer Truffle Tuber aestivum

Vittad. Fruit body 3–7cm across, globose; blackish-brown; covered in pyramidal warts. Flesh whitish, becoming marbled grey-brown; taste nutty, smell sweet. Spores 20–40×15–30μ, ovoid, reticulate. Habitat buried, usually near beech on calcareous soils; summer to autumn, possibly all year (see note below). Rare, but it can be locally common. Edible good; I consider this to be as good as other European truffles. Note Dr Brian Spooner of Kew points out that two other truffle species should be considered. The rare T. brumale has spiny rather than reticulate spore ornament, and T. macrosporum (which is very rare in Britain) has similar fruit bodies, though with smaller surface warts, and its reticulate spores are much larger (45–75×30–50μ) than those of T. aestivum. In the past this truffle was collected in quite large quantities, but it was thought to have declined and become a great rarity. Then in 2004 a farmer in southern England found large numbers (over 100) in a beech wood that he had planted 15 years before on very shallow, chalky soil. In the following year he again recorded it in considerable quantities, every month from February onwards.

Italian White Truffle Tuber magnatum

Pico Fruit body 3–16cm across, potato-shaped or spherical; white or creamy; smooth. Flesh creamy; firm; taste nutty, smell strong, typical truffle smell. Spores 35–50×32– 42μ, elliptical, reticulate. Asci 60–120×40–100μ, 1- to 3-spored. Habitat in deciduous woods in northern Italy and patchily in the Balkans, not recorded for Britain; autumn. Edible excellent, considered the best truffle by the Italians.

Tuber excavatum

Vittad. Fruit body about 1.5–5cm across; subglobose, lobed; reddish-olive. Flesh browny ochre; smell slightly nauseating. Spores 22–55×16–40μ, reticulate; 2–4 per asci. Asci 85–125×70–90μ, like a lumpy paper bag. Habitat in broad-leaved woodland; most of the year but mainly autumn. Very rare, possibly because few people search for it. Not edible.

Perigord Truffle, Black Truffle Tuber melanosporum

Vittad. Fruit body as for T. aestivum (opposite), but covered with polygonal warts. Flesh turning violaceous-black when cut. Spores 29–55×22–35μ, elliptical, spiny. Spore print brown. Habitat in deciduous woods; autumn to early spring. A speciality of the Perigord region of France, but also occurring in other countries around the Mediterranean, north Africa, and Asia; probably not British, although there is one record in the Kew herbarium. Edible excellent, considered the best truffle by the French.

Choiromyces meandriformis

Vittad. Fruit body 4–12cm across, irregularly subglobose; yellowish-brown. Flesh whitish to yellowish, marbled; smell strongly aromatic. Spores 16×21μ in diameter, globose, covered in blunt spines. Spore print yellow. Asci 180×70μ, 8-spored. Habitat on soil surface in deciduous and mixed woods. Rare. Edibility unknown.

Choiromyces gangliformis

Vittad. Fruit body 3–9cm across, very lumpy and bumpy (ganglioform); cream coloured. Flesh whitish with lightly marked network; smell slight, scented. Spores 19–23μ, spherical, not spiny but lightly verrucose. Asci 200×60μ, elongate-oval, 8spored. Habitat in dry areas in mainland Europe, not reported from Britain. Edible but not choice.

Hydnotria tulasnei

Berk. & Broome Fruit body 3–4cm across, more or less potato-shaped, sometimes very lumpy; pinky brown. Flesh pinkish-cream to reddish, with meandering lighter ‘valleys’; smell pleasant, like cocoa. Spores 20–35μ, spherical, decorated with small spines. Habitat with oaks and conifers; summer to autumn. Not recorded from Britain, these specimens were found in Portugal. Not considered edible.

Ergot Claviceps purpurea

(Fr.) Tul. Sclerotium formed in the inflorescences of grasses, this is the most easily recognized stage, up to 1cm long, fusiform, longitudinally furrowed; violet-black. Mature sclerotium falls to the ground in autumn, over-wintering in this state; in late spring, after chilling, fruit bodies develop from it. Fruit bodies tiny, drumstick-shaped; pale pinkish or purplish. Spores 100×1μ, thread-like. Habitat grasses of several genera including some of our most important crops, barley, oats, rye, and wheat (shown here on the oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius); sclerotia summer to early autumn, fruit bodies spring. Frequent. Deadly poisonous. Note poisoning by C. purpurea (ergotism) has been recorded since the Middle Ages. Outbreaks were sudden and inexplicable, and many superstitions and myths grew up around the affliction. It was widely believed to be divine punishment on sinners, and for centuries was known as Holy Fire. Poisoning constricts blood vessels and can take two forms: a burning sensation in the limbs, followed by gangrene, or effects on the brain, causing convulsions, hallucinations, and psychotic behaviour. The link between ergotism and infected grain was only fully established in the 20th century. Pharmacological analysis of the sclerotia revealed a mixture of powerful chemicals, among them compounds related to LSD. Even before ergot’s chemistry was understood, it was widely used for

centuries by midwives to stimulate contractions and so aid childbirth. The crude drug is dangerous and unpredictable, due to its extremely low safe dose and its side effects; however, the purified derivatives are now used in medicine in the treatment of migraine and other disorders as well as in obstetrics.

Cramp Balls or King Alfred’s Cakes Daldinia concentrica

(Bolton) Ces. & de Not. Fruit body 2–10cm across, hemispherical to subglobose; brown, soon black and shiny. Flesh concentrically zoned silver-grey and blackish. Spores 12–17×6–9μ, elliptical to fusiform. Spore print black. Asci 200×12μ. Habitat gregarious on dead wood, almost exclusively on ash (Fraxinus), six other species of Daldinia are now recorded for Britain, normally occurring on other host trees; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Elaphomyces muricatus

Fr. Fruit body 2–5cm across, globose; outer peridium bright ochre-brown, covered in pointed warts, inner much thicker, marbled purplish-brown; within these a powdery spore mass becomes grey-black as the spores mature. Spores 18–24μ, globose, warted. Spore print purplish-black. Asci globose, usually 4-spored. Habitat buried in topsoil of pine woods, less often in deciduous woods; all year. Uncommon. Unknown edibility. Note the very similar False Truffle E. granulatus Fr. (below with Cordyceps longisegmentis) has a thin peridium (1.5mm) and larger spores (23–35μ).

Dogend Podostroma alutaceum

(Pers.) G.F Atk. Fruit body 1–4cm high, 0.5–1cm wide, club-shaped; whitish to pale ochraceous. Spores breaking into 4–4.5×3–4μ, broadly elliptical to globose, finely warted part-spores. Asci 80×4μ. Habitat on rotting wood; autumn. Rare. Not edible.

Snaketongue Truffleclub Cordyceps ophioglossoides

(Ehr.) Link Fruit body 3–10cm high, fertile head club-shaped, yellow and smooth, later black and finely roughened, tapering into a smooth, yellow stem. Spores breaking into 2.5–5×2μ elliptical-cylindrical part-spores. Habitat as a parasite on species of Elaphomyces (opposite); autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Scarlet Caterpillarclub Cordyceps militaris

(L.) Link. Fruit body 2–5cm high, bright orange-red, fertile head slightly swollen, finely roughened, tapering into a wavy, paler stem. Spores breaking up into 3.5–6×1– 1.5μ, barrel-shaped part-spores. Asci very long, 4μ wide. Habitat on dead larvae and pupae of butterflies and moths buried in the soil, the mycelium of the fungus replacing the insides of the insect. Occasional. Not edible.

Cordyceps longisegmentis

Ginns Fruit body 3–10cm high, fertile head oval to subglobose, chestnut-brown to blackish, on a tough, yellow-olivaceous stem up to 1cm thick. Spores breaking up into 40–60×4–5μ part-spores. Asci very long, 15μ wide. Habitat mainly in pine woods, as a parasite on species of Elaphomyces (opposite) just below the surface, here on E. granulatus; autumn. Rare, possibly under-recorded; first described in 1988. Not edible. Note this fungus was previously referred to as C. capitata (Holmsk.) Link. or C. canadensis Ellis & Everh., but is distinguished by having smaller part-spores, mostly 15–25×2.5–3μ.

Conifer Disco Lachnellula subtilissima

(Cooke) Dennis Fruit body 1–3mm across, globose, becoming cup-shaped; inner surface yellow-orange, outer white, covered in long, shaggy, septate hairs. Spores 6– 11×2–2.5μ, oblong-ellipsoid. Asci 156×12μ. Habitat on pine twigs, less often on spruce; autumn. Occasional. Not edible.

Beech Woodwart Hypoxylon fragiforme

(Scop.) J. Kickx Fruit body 0.1–1cm across, hemispherical; bright salmon-pink at first, becoming brick-red, later blackening; surface finely warted. Flesh blackish; hard. Spores 11–15×5–7μ, subfusiform, containing 1–3 oil drops; dark brown. Asci 150×8μ, cylindrical. Habitat gregarious on dead beech; late summer to early spring. Very common. Not edible.

Beech Tarcrust Biscogniauxia nummularia

(Bull.) Kuntze syn. Hypoxylon nummularium Bull. Fruit body crust on wood; blackish; shiny. Spores 11–14×7–10μ, broadly elliptical to subglobose; blackishbrown. Asci 125×12μ, cylindrical. Habitat on dead beech; all year. Frequent. Not edible.

Beech Barkspot Diatrype disciformis

(Hoff.) Fr. Fruit body 1–3mm across, discoid; whitish, soon blackish on the outer surface, remaining white-fleshed. Spores 5–8×1.5–2μ, curved, cylindrical. Asci 5μ wide, elongate club-shaped. Habitat on dead branches of deciduous trees, usually beech, emerging from below the bark; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Coral Spot Nectria cinnabarina

(Tode) Fr. Fruit body colonial, of 2 types: perithecial fructification comprising crowded, cinnabar-red flasks on a cushion-shaped base; conidial state similar, but forming coral-pink pustules. Spores 12–25×4–9μ, cylindrical-ellipsoid with a single cross-wall. Asci 70×12μ. Habitat on dead wood; all year. Very common. Not edible.

Nectria peziza

(Tode) Fr. Fruit body 0.2–0.4mm across, globose when fresh, collapsing into a cuplike shape when dry (not shown); bright yellow. Spores 12–15×5–7μ. Asci 75–90×8– 10μ. Habitat on rotting polypores and rotten wood, shown here on old Polyporus squamosus (here); all year. Occasional. Not edible.

Green Elfcup Chlorociboria aeruginascens

(Nyl.) Kanouse ex C.S. Ramamurthi, Korf & L.R. Batra. syn Chlorosplenium aeruginascens (Nyl.) P. Karst. Fruit body 1–5mm across, cup-shaped then flattened, attached to substrate by a short stalk, margin wavy, irregular; bright blue-green throughout. Spores 6–10×1.5–2μ, fusiform, containing 2 small oil drops at opposite ends of the spore. Asci 70×5μ. Habitat on fallen branches of deciduous trees, especially oak; mainly autumn although also found in spring to autumn. Very common. Not edible. The mycelium growing through the wood stains it conspicuously blue-green: this stained wood is often seen, but the fruit bodies are less frequent. The infected wood, known as ‘green oak’, was once much used in the manufacture of Tunbridge ware, in which woods of different colours were arranged into a pattern, compressed, then cut transversely into thin strips of veneer.

Brittle Cinder Kretzschmaria deusta

(Hoffm.) P.M.D. Martin syn. Ustulina deusta (Hoffm.) Lind Fruit body forming irregular wavy cushions or encrusting substrate; greyish-white in early stages, finally black, resembling charred wood; soon brittle enough to crush between the fingers, finally very brittle. Spores 28–34×7–10μ, fusiform; black. Asci 300×15μ. Habitat on old dead stumps or roots of deciduous trees, especially beech; late spring to summer, but the blackened state may be seen all year. Common. Not edible.

Nail Fungus Poronia punctata

(L.) Fr. Fruit body 0.5–1.5cm across, 0.5–2cm high, flattened disc, attached to the substrate by a long, black, cylindrical stalk; whitish, dotted black with tips of perithecia when mature. Spores 18–26×7–12μ, bean-shaped, smooth. Asci 180×18μ. Habitat on horse dung; autumn. Once abundant, quite rare in modern times due to the decline in the use of horses, endangered on Red Data List. Not edible.

Index English and scientific names by species and genera. Scientific and common names for genera are in bold, common names and synonyms are in roman. abietinum, Trichaptum ref 1 abietinus, Hirschioporus ref 1 Abortiporus ref 1 acerbum, Tricholoma ref 1 acerosus, Pleurotus ref 1 acerrimus, Lactarius ref 1 acervata, Collybia ref 1 acetabula, Paxina ref 1 acetabulum, Helvella ref 1 acicula, Mycena ref 1 acicularis, Cudoniella ref 1 acrifolia, Russula ref 1 acuminatus, Panaeolus ref 1 acutesquamosa var. furcata, Lepiota ref 1 adaequata, Inocybe ref 1 adiposa, Pholiota ref 1 adspersum, Ganoderma ref 1 adulterina, Cystolepiota ref 1 adulterina, Lepiota ref 1 adusta, Bjerkandera ref 1 adusta, Russula ref 1 aereus, Boletus ref 1 aeruginascens, Chlorociboria ref 1 aeruginascens, Chlorosplenium ref 1 aeruginascens, Suillus ref 1 aeruginea, Russula ref 1 aeruginosa, Stropharia ref 1 aestivalis, Boletus ref 1 aestivum, Tuber ref 1 aetites, Mycena ref 1

afflata, Lentaria ref 1 Agaricus ref 1 agathosmus, Cortinarius ref 1 Agrocybe ref 1 Albatrellus ref 1 albellus, Polyporus ref 1 albellus, Tyromyces ref 1 albida, Antrodia ref 1 albidus, Coriolellus ref 1 albipes, Conocybe ref 1 albobrunneum, Tricholoma ref 1 albonitens, Stropharia ref 1 alboviolaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 alcalina, Mycena ref 1 Alder Bolete ref 1 Alder Bracket ref 1 Alder Goblet ref 1 Alder Milkcap ref 1 Alder Scalycap ref 1 Aldercap ref 1 Aleuria ref 1 aleuriatus, Pluteolus ref 1 aleuriosmus, Cortinarius ref 1 alliaceus, Marasmius ref 1 allutus, Cortinarius ref 1 alnetorum, Cortinarius ref 1 alnetorum, Russula ref 1 alnicola, Pholiota ref 1 alpina, Lichenomphalia ref 1 alpina, Russula ref 1 altipes, Agaricus ref 1 alutacea, Otidea ref 1 alutacea, Peziza ref 1 alutacea, Russula ref 1 alutaceum, Podostroma ref 1 alveolaris, Polyporus ref 1 Amanita ref 1 amarissima, Russula ref 1 amarus, Leucopaxillus ref 1 ambigua, Gyromitra ref 1

amentacea, Ciboria ref 1 Amethyst Chanterelle ref 1 Amethyst Deceiver ref 1 amethysteus, Cantharellus ref 1 amethystina, Laccaria ref 1 amianthinum, Cystoderma ref 1 ammoniaca, Mycena ref 1 amoenolens, Cortinarius ref 1 amoenolens, Russula ref 1 Ampulloclitocybe ref 1 androsaceus, Marasmius ref 1 Anemone Cup ref 1 Angel’s Bonnet ref 1 Angel’s Wings ref 1 Aniseed Cockleshell ref 1 Aniseed Funnel ref 1 annosum, Heterobasidion ref 1 anomalus, Cortinarius ref 1 anthracina, Russula ref 1 Anthracobia ref 1 Antrodia ref 1 apala, Conocybe ref 1 appendiculatus, Boletus ref 1 applanatum, Ganoderma ref 1 applanatus, Crepidotus ref 1 Apricot Club ref 1 aprile, Entoloma ref 1 aquosa, Russula ref 1 arcangeliana, Mycena ref 1 Arched Earthstar ref 1 Arched Woodwax ref 1 archeri, Clathrus ref 1 archeri, Anthurus ref 1 arcularius, Polyporus ref 1 areolatum, Scleroderma ref 1 argillacea, Clavaria ref 1 argyraceum, Tricholoma ref 1 arhizus, Pisolithus ref 1 armeniacus, Cortinarius ref 1 Armillaria ref 1

armillatus, Cortinarius ref 1 Aromatic Knight ref 1 Arrhenia ref 1, ref 2, ref 3 artemisiae, Psathyrella ref 1 Artist’s Bracket ref 1 arvensis, Agaricus ref 1 arvinaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 Ascocoryne ref 1 Ascomycetes ref 1 Aseroë ref 1 Ashen Knight ref 1 Ashen Woodwax ref 1 aspera, Amanita ref 1 aspera, Cystolepiota ref 1 aspera, Lepiota ref 1 aspideus var. flavidus, Lactarius ref 1 assimilata, Inocybe ref 1 Asterophora ref 1 asterospora, Clitocybe ref 1 asterosporus, Omphaliaster ref 1 Astraeus ref 1 astragalina, Pholiota ref 1 ater, Panaeolus ref 1 atra, Helvella ref 1 atra, Leptopodia ref 1 atramentarius, Coprinus ref 1 atrobrunnea, Psilocybe ref 1 atromarginatus, Pluteus ref 1 atromentosa, Tapinella ref 1 atropurpurea, Russula ref 1 atrosquamosum, Tricholoma var. squarrulosum ref 1 atrotomentosus, Paxillus ref 1 augustus, Agaricus ref 1 aurantia, Aleuria ref 1 aurantia, Peziza ref 1 aurantiaca, Hygrophoropsis ref 1 aurantiaca, Stropharia ref 1 aurantiacum, Leccinum ref 1 aurantiacus, Lactarius ref 1 aurantioturbinatus, Cortinarius ref 1

aurata, Russula ref 1 aurea, Clavaria ref 1 aurea, Phaeolepiota ref 1 aurea, Ramaria ref 1 aurea, Russula ref 1 Aureoboletus ref 1 aureus, Merulius ref 1 aureus, Pseudomerulius ref 1 auricula-judae, Auricularia ref 1 Auricularia ref 1 Auriscalpium ref 1 aurivella, Pholiota ref 1 aurora, Cantharellus ref 1 aurora, Russula ref 1 australe, Ganoderma ref 1 austriaca, Sarcoscypha ref 1 autochthona, Tubaria ref 1 azonites, Lactarius ref 1 badia, Peziza ref 1 badioconfusa, Peziza ref 1 badius, Boletus ref 1 badius, Polyporus ref 1 badius, Xerocomus ref 1 Baeospora ref 1 balteatocumatilis, Cortinarius ref 1 balteatus, Cortinarius ref 1 Banded Mottlegill ref 1 Bankera ref 1 Bare-toothed Brittlegill ref 1 Bark Bonnet ref 1 Barometer Earthstar ref 1 Basidiomycetes ref 1 batschiana, Ciboria ref 1 Battarraea ref 1 Bay Bolete ref 1 Bay Cup ref 1 Bay Polypore ref 1 Bearded Amanita ref 1 Bearded Milkcap ref 1

Bearded Seamine ref 1 Bearded Tooth ref 1 Beech Barkspot ref 1 Beech Jellydisc ref 1 Beech Milkcap ref 1 Beech Tarcrust ref 1 Beech Woodwart ref 1 Beechmast Candlesnuff ref 1 Beechwood Sickener ref 1 Beefsteak Fungus ref 1 Beige Coral ref 1 Bell-shaped Mottlegill ref 1 Benzoin Bracket ref 1 bernardii, Agaricus ref 1 betularum, Russula ref 1 betuletorum, Cortinarius ref 1 betulinus, Lenzites ref 1 betulinus, Piptoporus ref 1 bibulus, Cortinarius ref 1 bicolor, Laccaria ref 1 Bicoloured Deceiver ref 1 biennis, Abortiporus ref 1 biennis, Heteroporus ref 1 biformis, Cortinarius ref 1 Birch Brittlegill ref 1 Birch Conk ref 1 Birch Knight ref 1 Birch Mazegill ref 1 Birch Milkcap ref 1 Birch Polypore ref 1 Birch Webcap ref 1 birnbaumii, Leucocoprinus ref 1 Biscogniauxia ref 1 Bisporella ref 1 bisporus, Agaricus ref 1 bitorquis, Agaricus ref 1 Bitter Almond Brittlegill ref 1 Bitter Beech Bolete ref 1 Bitter Bigfoot Webcap ref 1 Bitter Bolete ref 1

Bitter Bracket ref 1 Bitter Knight ref 1 Bitter Oysterling ref 1 Bitter Poisonpie ref 1 Bitter Tooth ref 1 Bitter Webcap ref 1 bivelus, Cortinarius ref 1 Bjerkandera ref 1 Black Bulgar ref 1 Black Milking Bonnet ref 1 Black Tooth ref 1 Black Truffle ref 1 Blackedge Bonnet ref 1 Blackening Brittlegill ref 1 Blackening Waxcap ref 1 Blackfoot Polypore ref 1 Bleach Cup ref 1 Bleached Brittlegill ref 1 Bleeding Bonnet ref 1 Bleeding Broadleaf Crust ref 1 Bleeding Oak Crust ref 1 blennius, Lactarius ref 1 Blewit ref 1 Blistered Cup ref 1 Blood-red Webcap ref 1 Bloody Brittlegill ref 1 Blotched Woodwax ref 1 Blue Edge Pinkgill ref 1 Blue Roundhead ref 1 Blue Spot Knight ref 1 Blue Tooth ref 1 Blue-green Clitocybe ref 1 Blueing Bracket ref 1 Blue-leg ref 1 Blueleg Brownie ref 1 Blusher, The ref 1 Blushing Bolete ref 1 Blushing Bracket ref 1 Blushing Rosette ref 1 Blushing Waxcap ref 1

Blushing Wood Mushroom ref 1 Bog Beacon ref 1 bohemica, Alnicola ref 1 bohemica, Naucoria ref 1 bolaris, Cortinarius ref 1 Bolbitius ref 1 Bolete Mould ref 1 Boletus ref 1 bombycina, Volvariella ref 1 Bondarzewia ref 1 Bonfire Cauliflower ref 1 Bonfire Inkcap ref 1 Bonfire Scalycap ref 1 bongardii, Inocybe ref 1 Bonnet ref 1 Boot-lace Fungus ref 1 botrytis, Ramaria ref 1 boudieri, Lepiota ref 1 bovina, Peziza ref 1 Bovine Bolete ref 1 bovinus, Suillus ref 1 Bovista ref 1 Bracket ref 1 Branching Oyster ref 1 brassicolens, Micromphale ref 1 brebissonii, Lepiota ref 1 bresadolanus, Agaricus ref 1 bresadolianus, Lactarius ref 1 Brick Tuft ref 1 brittanicus, Lactarius ref 1 Brittle Cinder ref 1 Brittlegill ref 1 Brittlestem ref 1 Brown Birch Bolete ref 1 Brown Cup ref 1 Brown Ear ref 1 Brown Hay Cap ref 1 Brown Mottlegill ref 1 Brown Puffball ref 1 Brown Rollrim ref 1

Brownedge Bonnet ref 1 Brownie ref 1, ref 2 bruchetii, Hebeloma ref 1 Bruising Webcap ref 1 brumale, Tulostoma ref 1 brumalis, Polyporus ref 1 brunneogriseolum, Leccinum ref 1 brunneoincarnata, Lepiota ref 1 brunneoviolacea, Russula ref 1 brunneus, Cortinarius ref 1 var. glandicolor ref 1 Buchwaldoboletus ref 1 bucknallii, Cystoderma ref 1 bucknallii, Cystolepiota ref 1 bucknallii, Lepiota ref 1 bufonia, Otidea ref 1 bulbiger, Leucocortinarius ref 1 bulbosus, Cortinarius ref 1 Bulbous Bonnet ref 1 Bulbous Fibrecap ref 1 Bulgaria ref 1 bulliardii, Cortinarius ref 1 Burgundydrop Bonnet ref 1 Burnt Knight ref 1 Butter Cap ref 1 Butter Waxcap ref 1 butyracea, Collybia ref 1 caerulea, Russula ref 1 caerulea, Stropharia ref 1 caerulescens, Cortinarius ref 1 caeruleum, Hydnellum ref 1 Caesar’s Mushroom ref 1 caesarea, Amanita ref 1 caesia, Postia ref 1 caesiocyaneus, Cortinarius ref 1 caesius, Oligoporus ref 1 caesius, Tyromyces ref 1 calamistrata, Inocybe ref 1 caligata, Armillaria ref 1

caligatum, Tricholoma ref 1 Calocera ref 1 calochrous, Cortinarius ref 1 Calocybe ref 1 calopus, Boletus ref 1 calopus, Marasmius ref 1 Calvatia ref 1 calyptriformis, Hygrocybe ref 1 calyptriformis, Hygrophorus ref 1 camarophyllus, Hygrophorus ref 1 campanella, Xeromphalina ref 1 campestris, Agaricus ref 1 subsp. bernardii ref 1 campestris, Dichomitus ref 1 campestris, Trametes ref 1 camphoratus, Lactarius ref 1 candelaris, Cortinarius ref 1 candidus, Marasmiellus ref 1 candidus, Marasmius ref 1 Candlesnuff Fungus ref 1 candolleana, Psathyrella ref 1 caninus, Cortinarius ref 1 caninus, Mutinus ref 1 cantharella, Flavoscypha ref 1 cantharella, Otidea ref 1 Cantharellula ref 1 Cantharellus ref 1 cantharellus, Hygrocybe ref 1 cantharellus, Hygrophorus ref 1 caperatus, Rozites ref 1 capnoides, Hypholoma ref 1 caput-medusae, Psathyrella ref 1 carbonaria, Pholiota ref 1 carnea, Calocybe ref 1 carneum, Lyophyllum ref 1 carneum, Tricholoma ref 1 caroviolaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 carpini, Leccinum ref 1 carpini, Russula ref 1 carpophila, Xylaria ref 1

castanea, Lepiota ref 1 castaneus, Gyroporus ref 1 Catathelasma ref 1 caucus, Ciboria ref 1 caudatum, Lycoperdon ref 1 Cauliflower Fungus ref 1 causticus, Cortinarius ref 1 Cavalier ref 1 cavipes, Boletinus ref 1 cavipes, Suillus ref 1 ceciliae, Amanita ref 1 Cedar Cup ref 1 Cedarwood Waxcap ref 1 Cellar Cup ref 1 Cep ref 1 cepistipes, Armillaria ref 1 ceracea, Hygrocybe ref 1 ceraceus, Hygrophorus ref 1 cerea, Peziza ref 1 Ceriporiopsis ref 1 cernua, Psathyrella ref 1 cervinus, Pluteus ref 1 cessans, Russula ref 1 cetrata, Nolanea ref 1 cetratum, Entoloma ref 1 Chaga ref 1 Chalciporus ref 1 chalybaeum var. lazulinum, Entoloma ref 1 Chamaemyces ref 1 Chanterelle ref 1 Charcoal Burner ref 1 Charcoal Cup ref 1 chateri, Melastiza ref 1 Chestnut Bolete ref 1 Chestnut Dapperling ref 1 Chicken Mushroom ref 1 Chicken of the Woods ref 1 Chicken Run Funnel ref 1 chioneus, Tyromyces ref 1 Chlorociboria ref 1

Chlorophyllum ref 1 Choiromyces ref 1 Chondrostereum ref 1 christinae, Phaecollybia ref 1 Chroogomphus ref 1 chrysenteron, Boletus ref 1 chrysenteron, Xerocomus ref 1 chrysodon, Hygrophorus ref 1 Chrysomphalina ref 1 chrysophaeus, Pluteus ref 1 chrysophylla, Chrysomphalina ref 1 chrysophylla, Omphalina ref 1 chrysophyllum, Gerronema ref 1 chrysorrheus, Lactarius ref 1 chrysospermus, Dacrymyces ref 1 chrysospermus, Hypomyces ref 1 cibarius, Cantharellus ref 1 var. amethysteus ref 1 Ciboria ref 1 cilicioides, Lactarius ref 1 cincinnata, Inocybe ref 1 cinctulus, Panaeolus ref 1 cinerea, Clavaria ref 1 cinerea, Clavulina ref 1 cineroides, Clavulinopsis ref 1 cingulatum, Tricholoma ref 1 Cinnabar Polypore ref 1 cinnabarina, Nectria ref 1 cinnabarina, Polyporus ref 1 cinnabarinum, Cystoderma ref 1 cinnabarinus, Cortinarius ref 1 cinnabarinus, Pycnoporus ref 1 cinnamomeobadius, Cortinarius ref 1 cinnamomeus, Cortinarius ref 1 Cinnamon Bracket ref 1 Cinnamon Jellybaby ref 1 Cinnamon Porecrust ref 1 Cinnamon Webcap ref 1 circellatus, Lactarius ref 1 cirrhatum, Hericium ref 1

cistophylum, Hebeloma ref 1 citrina, Amanita ref 1 var. alba ref 1 citrina, Bisporella ref 1 citrina, Calycella ref 1 citrinum, Scleroderma ref 1 citrinus, Cortinarius ref 1 citriolens, Lactarius ref 1 claroflava, Russula ref 1 Clathrus ref 1 Clavaria ref 1 Clavariadelphus ref 1 Claviceps ref 1 Clavicorona ref 1 clavicularis, Mycena ref 1 clavipes, Ampulloclitocybe ref 1 clavipes, Clitocybe ref 1 clavularis, Mycena ref 1 Clavulina ref 1 Clavulinopsis ref 1 Clinker Polypore ref 1 Clitocybe ref 1 Clitopilus ref 1 Clouded Agaric ref 1 Clouded Funnel ref 1 Club Foot ref 1 Clustered Bonnet ref 1 Clustered Brittlestem ref 1 Clustered Mushroom ref 1 Clustered Toughshank ref 1 Clustered Domecap ref 1 clypeatum, Entoloma ref 1 clypeatus, Rhodophyllus ref 1 clypeolaria, Lepiota ref 1 coccinea, Hygrocybe ref 1 coccineus, Hygrophorus ref 1 cochleata, Otidea ref 1 cochleatus, Lentinellus ref 1 Coconut Milkcap ref 1 cognata, Melanoleuca ref 1

cognatum, Tricholoma ref 1 cohaerens, Marasmius ref 1 coliforme, Myriostoma ref 1 coliformis, Geastrum ref 1 Collared Earthstar ref 1 Collared Fibrecap ref 1 Collared Mosscap ref 1 Collared Parachute ref 1 collinitus, Cortinarius ref 1 collinitus, Suillus ref 1 Collybia ref 1 Coltricia ref 1 columbetta, Tricholoma ref 1 comatus, Coprinus ref 1 comedens, Corticium ref 1 comedens, Vuilleminia ref 1 Common Bird’s Nest ref 1 Common Bonnet ref 1 Common Cavalier ref 1 Common Earthball ref 1 Common Eyelash ref 1 Common Fieldcap ref 1 Common Funnel ref 1 Common Inkcap ref 1 Common Jellyspot ref 1 Common Mazegill ref 1 Common Puffball ref 1 Common Rustgill ref 1 Common Stump Brittlestem ref 1 commune, Schizophyllum ref 1 comtulus, Agaricus ref 1 concentrica, Daldinia ref 1 conchatus, Panus ref 1 concrescens, Hydnellum ref 1 conferendum, Entoloma ref 1 confluens, Collybia ref 1 confluens, Marasmius ref 1 confluens, Phellodon ref 1 confragosa, Daedaleopsis ref 1 confusa, Collybia ref 1

confusa, Cudonia ref 1 confusa, Tephrocybe ref 1 congregatus, Coprinus ref 1 conica, Hygrocybe ref 1 conica, Verpa ref 1 Conifer Blueing Bracket ref 1 Conifer Disco ref 1 Conifer Mazegill ref 1 Conifer Roundhead ref 1 Conifer Tuft ref 1 Conifercone Cap ref 1 Coniophora ref 1 connata, Clitocybe ref 1 connatum, Lyophyllum ref 1 Conocybe ref 1 constricta, Calocybe ref 1 Contrary Webcap ref 1 controversus, Lactarius ref 1 cookeanum, Geoglossum ref 1 cookei, Inocybe ref 1 Copper Brittlegill ref 1 Copper Spike ref 1 Coprinus ref 1 coprophila, Deconica ref 1 coprophila, Psilocybe ref 1 Coral Brittlegill ref 1 Coral Spot ref 1 Coral Tooth ref 1 coralloides, Clavulina ref 1 coralloides, Hericium ref 1 Corals ref 1 Corda Corn Smut ref 1 Cordyceps ref 1 corium, Cyathipodia ref 1 corium, Helvella ref 1 cornea, Calocera ref 1 corniculata, Clavaria ref 1 corniculata, Clavulinopsis ref 1 cornubiensis, Melastiza ref 1 cornucopiae, Pleurotus ref 1

cornucopioides, Cantharellus ref 1 cornucopioides, Craterellus ref 1 coronatum, Geastrum ref 1 coronilla, Stropharia ref 1 corrugis, Psathyrella ref 1 Cortinarius ref 1 Cortinarius (Cortinarius) ref 1 cortinarius var. audreae, Lepiota ref 1 cossus, Hygrophorus ref 1 Cowberry Redleaf ref 1 Crab Brittlegill ref 1 cramesinus, Aureoboletus ref 1 Cramp Balls ref 1 Craterellus ref 1 Cream Pinkgill ref 1 cremeolaniger, Cortinarius ref 1 Crepidotus ref 1 cretatus, Clitopilus ref 1 Crimson Waxcap ref 1 crispa, Helvella ref 1 crispa, Sparassis ref 1 cristata, Clavulina ref 1 cristata, Lepiota ref 1 crobula, Psilocybe ref 1 crocata, Mycena ref 1 crocea, Amanita ref 1 croceocaeruleus, Cortinarius ref 1 croceovelutinus, Leucoagaricus ref 1 croceovelutinus, Leucocoprinus ref 1 croceus, Cortinarius ref 1 crocipodium, Leccinum ref 1 crocolitus, Cortinarius ref 1 Crowded Brittlegill ref 1 Crucibulum ref 1 Crusts ref 1 crustuliniforme, Hebeloma ref 1 Cucumber Cap ref 1 cucumis, Macrocystidia ref 1 Cudonia ref 1 Cudoniella ref 1

Cuitlacoche ref 1 Cultivated Mushroom ref 1 Cup Fungi ref 1 Curry Milkcap ref 1 curtipes, Russula ref 1 cuticularis, Inonotus ref 1 cyaneobasileucum, Leccinum ref 1 cyanescens, Gyroporus ref 1 cyanescens, Psilocybe ref 1 cyanites, Cortinarius ref 1 cyanopus, Cortinarius ref 1 cyanoxantha, Russula ref 1 var. variata ref 1 cyathiformis, Cantharellula ref 1 cyathiformis, Pseudoclitocybe ref 1 Cyathus ref 1 cylichnium, Ascocoryne ref 1 cylichnium, Coryne ref 1 cylindracea, Agrocybe ref 1 Cylindrobasidium ref 1 Cystoderma ref 1 Cystolepiota ref 1 Dacrymyces ref 1 Daedalea ref 1 Daedaleopsis ref 1 Daldinia ref 1 damascenus, Cortinarius ref 1 Dapperling ref 1 Dappled Webcap ref 1 Dark Cep ref 1 Dark Fieldcap ref 1 Dark Scaled Knight ref 1 Darkening Brittlegill ref 1 Datronia ref 1 Dawn Brittlegill ref 1 Dead Man’s Fingers ref 1 Dead Moll’s Fingers ref 1 Deadly Dapperling ref 1 Deadly Fibrecap ref 1

Deadly Webcap ref 1 dealbata, Clitocybe ref 1 Deathcap ref 1 decastes, Lyophyllum ref 1 Deceiver, The ref 1 Deceiving Bolete ref 1 Deceiving Knight ref 1 decipiens, Cortinarius ref 1 decipiens, Lactarius ref 1 decolorans, Russula ref 1 decora, Tricholomopsis ref 1 Deer Shield ref 1 deformis, Nidularia ref 1 delibutus, Cortinarius ref 1 delica, Russula ref 1 delicata, Lentaria ref 1 delicata, Limacella ref 1 var. vinosorubescens ref 1 deliciosus, Lactarius ref 1 deliquescens, Dacrymyces ref 1 depauperatus, Pluteus ref 1 Dermocybe (Cortinarius) ref 1 Destroying Angel ref 1 deterrimus, Lactarius ref 1 deusta, Kretzschmaria ref 1 deusta, Ustulina ref 1 Devil’s Bolete ref 1 Devil’s Fingers ref 1 Devil’s Tooth ref 1 devoniensis, Agaricus ref 1 Dewdrop Dapperling ref 1 diasemospermus, Cortinarius ref 1 Diatrype ref 1 Dichomitus ref 1 dichrous, Hygrophorus ref 1 dicolor, Clitocybe ref 1 Dictyophora ref 1 dilatata, Clitocybe ref 1 dionysae, Cortinarius ref 1 diosmus, Cortinarius ref 1

disciformis, Diatrype ref 1 Disciotis ref 1 dispersa, Tubaria ref 1 disseminatus, Coprinus ref 1 distorta, Collybia ref 1 ditopa, Clitocybe ref 1 Dog Stinkhorn ref 1 Dogend ref 1 domesticus, Coprinus ref 1 Drab Bonnet ref 1 Drab Tooth ref 1 Dripping Bonnet ref 1 Dripping Slimecap ref 1 Dry Rot ref 1 Dryad’s Saddle ref 1 dryadeus, Inonotus ref 1 dryadeus, Polyporus ref 1 dryophila, Collybia ref 1 dulcamara, Inocybe ref 1 dulcidulus, Agaricus ref 1 Dumontinia ref 1 Dung Roundhead ref 1 duplicata, Dictyophora ref 1 duplicatus, Phallus ref 1 duracinus, Cortinarius ref 1 duriusculum, Leccinum ref 1 durus, Polyporus ref 1 Dusky Bolete ref 1 Dusky Puffball ref 1 Dwarf Bell ref 1 Dwarf Earthstar ref 1 Dyeball ref 1 Dyer’s Mazegill ref 1 Dyer’s Webcap ref 1 Earpick Fungus ref 1 Earthball ref 1 Earthfan ref 1 Earthstar ref 1 Earthy Powdercap ref 1

Earthy Webcap ref 1 eburneus, Hygrophorus ref 1 echinatum, Lycoperdon ref 1 echinatum, Melanophyllum ref 1 echinella var. rhodorrhiza, Lepiota ref 1 echinocephala, Amanita ref 1 echinospora, Peziza ref 1 edulis, Boletus ref 1 edurum, Hebeloma ref 1 Egghead Mottlegill ref 1 Elaphomyces ref 1 Elastic Oysterling ref 1 Elastic Saddle ref 1 elastica, Helvella ref 1 elastica, Leptopodia ref 1 elata, Morchella ref 1 Elder Whitewash ref 1 elegans, Boletus ref 1 elegans, Russula ref 1 elegantior, Cortinarius ref 1 elegantissimus, Cortinarius ref 1 Elfin Saddle ref 1 eliae, Amanita ref 1 elongatum, Hypholoma ref 1 emetica, Russula ref 1 endocarpoides, Plicaria ref 1 Entoloma ref 1 Enveloping Crust ref 1 epiphyllus, Marasmius ref 1 epipterygia, Mycena ref 1 equestre, Tricholoma ref 1 erebia, Agrocybe ref 1 erebia, Pholiota ref 1 Ergot ref 1 ericetorum, Clitocybe ref 1 ericetorum, Omphalina ref 1 erinaceus, Hericium ref 1 erubescens, Hygrophorus ref 1 erubescens, Inocybe ref 1 eryngii, Pleurotus ref 1

erythropus, Boletus ref 1 erythropus, Clavaria ref 1 erythropus, Collybia ref 1 erythropus, Russula ref 1 erythropus, Typhula ref 1 escharioides, Naucoria ref 1 esculenta, Gyromitra ref 1 esculenta, Morchella ref 1 f. vulgaris ref 1 euchroa, Leptonia ref 1 euchroum, Entoloma ref 1 European Matsutake ref 1 eutheles, Inocybe ref 1 evernius, Cortinarius ref 1 evolvens, Corticium ref 1 evolvens, Cylindrobasidium ref 1 evosmus, Lactarius ref 1 exalbicans, Russula ref 1 excavatum, Tuber ref 1 excellans, Agaricus ref 1 excelsa var. spissa, Amanita ref 1 excipuliformis, Calvatia ref 1 excipuliformis, Handkea ref 1 excoriata, Lepiota ref 1 excoriata, Macrolepiota ref 1 Exidia ref 1 Exobasidium ref 1 eyrei, Lepiota ref 1 eyrei, Melanophyllum ref 1 Fairy Inkcap ref 1 Fairy Ring Champignon ref 1 False Chanterelle ref 1 False Deathcap ref 1 False Morel ref 1 False Saffron Milkcap ref 1 farcta, Nidularia ref 1 farinipes, Russula ref 1 farinolens, Entoloma ref 1 farinolens, Nolanea ref 1

fasciculare, Hypholoma ref 1 fastigiata, Inocybe ref 1 favrei, Calocybe ref 1 favrei, Lyophyllum ref 1 favrei, Tricholoma ref 1 felina, Lepiota ref 1 fellea, Russula ref 1 felleus, Tylopilus ref 1 Felt Saddle ref 1 Fenugreek Milkcap ref 1 ferreus, Phellinus ref 1 ferreus, Polyporus ref 1 ferruginascens, Cantharellus ref 1 fervidus, Cortinarius ref 1 Fibrecap ref 1 Fibrous Waxcap ref 1 fibula, Mycena ref 1 fibula, Rickenella ref 1 Field Bird’s Nest ref 1 Field Blewit ref 1 Field Mushroom ref 1 Fieldcap ref 1 Fiery Milkcap ref 1 filaris, Conocybe ref 1 filopes, Mycena ref 1 fimbriatum, Geastrum ref 1 fimicola, Panaeolus ref 1 Firerug Inkcap ref 1 firma, Rutstroemia ref 1 firmus, Cortinarius ref 1 Fistulina ref 1 fistulosa, Macrotyphula ref 1 fistulosus, Clavariadelphus ref 1 flaccida, Clitocybe ref 1 flaccida, Lepista ref 1 Flaming Scalycap ref 1 flammans, Pholiota ref 1 Flammulaster ref 1 Flat Oysterling ref 1 flava, Clavaria ref 1

flava, Omphalina ref 1 flava, Ramaria ref 1 flavescens, Mycena ref 1 flavidus, Lactarius ref 1 flavidus, Suillus ref 1 flavoalba, Mycena ref 1 flavo-albus, Marasmiellus ref 1 flavobrunneum, Tricholoma ref 1 flavovirens, Tricholoma ref 1 Fleecy Fibrecap ref 1 Fleecy Milkcap ref 1 flexipes, Cortinarius ref 1 var. inolens ref 1 Flirt, The ref 1 floccipes, Polyporus ref 1 floccopus, Strobilomyces ref 1 Floccularia ref 1 flocculosa, Inocybe ref 1 Flowery Blewit ref 1 fluens, Lactarius ref 1 fluryi, Suillus ref 1 Fluted Bird’s Nest ref 1 Fly Agaric ref 1 foenisecii, Panaeolina ref 1 foenisecii, Panaeolus ref 1 foenisecii, Psilocybe ref 1 foetens, Russula ref 1 Foetid Parachute ref 1 foetidum, Lycoperdon ref 1 foetidum, Micromphale ref 1 foetidus, Marasmius ref 1 fomentarius, Fomes ref 1 Fomes ref 1 Fomitopsis ref 1 Fool’s Conecap ref 1 Fool’s Funnel ref 1 Fool’s Webcap ref 1 formosa, Clavaria ref 1 formosa, Ramaria ref 1 fornicatum, Geastrum ref 1

fracida, Drosella ref 1 fracidus, Chamaemyces ref 1 fragiforme, Hypoxylon ref 1 fragilis, Clavaria ref 1 fragilis, Oligoporus ref 1 fragilis, Postia ref 1 fragilis, Russula ref 1 fragilis, Tyromyces ref 1 fragrans, Boletus ref 1 fragrans, Clitocybe ref 1 Fragrant Funnel ref 1 franchetii, Amanita ref 1 fraudans, Inocybe ref 1 fraudulosus, Cortinarius ref 1 Freckled Dapperling ref 1 friesii, Lepiota ref 1 frondosa, Grifola ref 1 Frosty Fibrecap ref 1 Frosty Funnel ref 1 Fruity Fibrecap ref 1 fulgens, Gymnopilus ref 1 fuligineoalba, Bankera ref 1 fuliginosus, Lactarius ref 1 fulva, Amanita ref 1 fulvissimus, Lactarius ref 1 fulvum, Tricholoma ref 1 fumosa, Clavaria ref 1 Funnels ref 1 furfuracea, Tubaria ref 1 fuscopurpurea, Collybia ref 1 fuscovinacea, Lepiota ref 1 Fused Tooth ref 1 fusiformis, Clavaria ref 1 fusiformis, Clavulinopsis ref 1 fusipes, Collybia ref 1 galericulata, Mycena ref 1 Galerina ref 1 galopus, Mycena ref 1 var. alba ref 1

var. candida ref 1 var. nigra ref 1 gambosa, Calocybe ref 1 gambosum, Lyophyllum ref 1 gambosum, Tricholoma ref 1 gangliformis, Choiromyces ref 1 gangraenosum, Lyophyllum ref 1 Ganoderma ref 1 Garland Roundhead ref 1 Garlic Parachute ref 1 Gassy Webcap ref 1 gausapatum, Stereum ref 1 Geastrum ref 1 gelatinosum, Pseudohydnum ref 1 gemina, Rhodocybe ref 1 gemmata, Amanita ref 1 gennadii, Agaricus ref 1 gentianus, Leucopaxillus ref 1 gentilis, Aureoboletus ref 1 gentilis, Cortinarius ref 1 geogenia, Hohenbuehelia ref 1 geogenium, Hydnellum ref 1 Geoglossum ref 1 geophylla, Inocybe ref 1 var. lilacina ref 1 Geopora ref 1 georgii, Tricholoma ref 1 geotropa, Clitocybe ref 1 Geranium Brittlegill ref 1 Ghost Bolete ref 1 Giant Club ref 1 Giant Polypore ref 1 Giant Puffball ref 1 gibba, Clitocybe ref 1 gibbosa, Pseudotrametes ref 1 gibbosa, Trametes ref 1 gigantea, Calvatia ref 1 gigantea, Clitocybe ref 1 gigantea, Grifola ref 1 gigantea, Langermannia ref 1

giganteus, Leucopaxillus ref 1 giganteus, Meripilus ref 1 giganteus, Polyporus ref 1 gigas, Gyromitra ref 1 Gilded Bolete ref 1 Gilded Brittlegill ref 1 Gilded Domecap ref 1 gilvescens, Ceriporiopsis ref 1 gilvescens, Poria ref 1 Girdled Dapperling ref 1 Girdled Knight ref 1 Girdled Webcap ref 1 Girolle ref 1 glandicolor, Cortinarius ref 1 glandulosa, Exidia ref 1 glaucopus, Cortinarius ref 1 Glazed Cup ref 1 Glistening Inkcap ref 1 Gloeophyllum ref 1 Gloeoporus ref 1 gloiocephala, Volvariella ref 1 glossoides, Calocera ref 1 glutinosus, Gomphidius ref 1 glutinosus, Gomphus ref 1 glyciosmus, Lactarius ref 1 Goat Moth Wax Cap ref 1 Goblet Parachute ref 1 Goblet Waxcap ref 1 godeyi, Inocybe ref 1 Golden Bootleg ref 1 Golden Brittlegill ref 1 Golden Chanterelle ref 1 Golden Navel ref 1 Golden Scalycap ref 1 Golden Spindles ref 1 Gold-Flecked Woodwax ref 1 Goldleaf Shield ref 1 Goliath Webcap ref 1 Gomphidius ref 1 gossypina, Psathyrella ref 1

gracilenta, Macrolepiota ref 1 gracilis, Gomphidius ref 1 gracilis, Psathyrella ref 1 gracillima, Russula ref 1 grammata, Inocybe ref 1 grammopodia, Melanoleuca ref 1 grangei, Lepiota ref 1 granulatus, Suillus ref 1 granulosa, Flocculina ref 1 granulosum, Cystoderma ref 1 granulosus, Flammulaster ref 1 Grassland Puffball ref 1 grata, Russula ref 1 graveolens, Russula ref 1 Greasy Green Brittlegill ref 1 Green Brittlegill ref 1 Green Dapperling ref 1 Green Elfcup ref 1 Green Webcap ref 1 Greencracked Brittlegill ref 1 Greenfoot Fibrecap ref 1 Green-gilled Lepiota ref 1 Greenspored Dapperling ref 1 grevillei, Suillus ref 1 Grey Coral ref 1 Grey Knight ref 1 Grey Milkcap ref 1 Grey Puffball ref 1 Grey Spotted Amanita ref 1 Grey Tooth ref 1 Grey Veiled Amanita ref 1 Grifola ref 1 grisea, Russula ref 1 griseolilacina, Inocybe ref 1 griseopallida, Arrhenia ref 1 griseopallida, Omphalina ref 1 Grisette ref 1 Grooved Bonnet ref 1 Guepinia ref 1 gummosa, Pholiota ref 1

guttata, Limacella ref 1 Gymnopilus ref 1 Gyrodon ref 1 Gyromitra ref 1 Gyroporus ref 1 haematopus, Mycena ref 1 haematospermum, Melanophyllum ref 1 haemorrhoidarius, Agaricus ref 1 Hairy Bracket ref 1 Hairy Curtain Crust ref 1 Hairy Earthtongue ref 1 Handkea ref 1 Hapalopilus ref 1 Hare’s Ear ref 1 Hare’s Foot Inkcap ref 1 Hazel Bolete ref 1 Hazel Bracket ref 1 Heath Navel ref 1 Heath Waxcap ref 1 Hebeloma ref 1 hebes, Entoloma ref 1 helobia, Hygrocybe ref 1 Helvella ref 1 helvelloides, Cortinarius ref 1 helvelloides, Guepinia ref 1 helvelloides, Tremiscus ref 1 helveola, Lepiota ref 1 helvola, Clavaria ref 1 helvola, Clavulinopsis ref 1 helvus, Lactarius ref 1 hemicyaneus, Lactarius ref 1 Hemimycena ref 1 hemisphaerica, Humaria ref 1 hemisphaerica, Peziza ref 1 hemitrichus, Cortinarius ref 1 Hen of the Woods ref 1 hepatica, Fistulina ref 1 hepaticus, Lactarius ref 1 Herald of Winter ref 1

Hericium ref 1 Heterobasidion ref 1 heterophylla, Russula ref 1 hetieri, Cystolepiota ref 1 hetieri, Lepiota ref 1 highlandensis, Pholiota ref 1 himantioides, Merulius ref 1 himantioides, Serpula ref 1 hinnuleus, Cortinarius ref 1 hinnuloides, Cortinarius ref 1 hirneola, Rhodocybe ref 1 hirsuta, Trametes ref 1 hirsutum, Stereum ref 1 hirsutum, Trichoglossum ref 1 hirsutus, Coriolus ref 1 hirtella, Inocybe ref 1 hispidus, Inonotus ref 1 Hohenbuehelia ref 1 Hollow Bolete ref 1 holopus, Leccinum ref 1 Honey Fungus ref 1 Honey Pinkgill ref 1 Hoof Fungus ref 1 Horn of Plenty ref 1 hornemannii, Stropharia ref 1 Horse Mushroom ref 1 Horsehair Parachute ref 1 Hotfoot Webcap ref 1 houghtonii, Clitocybe ref 1 Huitlacoche ref 1 Humaria ref 1 humicola, Cortinarius ref 1 humicolus, Cortinarius ref 1 Humpback Brittlegill ref 1 hyalinus, Hypomyces ref 1 hybridus, Gymnopilus ref 1 Hydnellum ref 1 Hydnotria ref 1 Hydnum ref 1 hydrogramma, Clitocybe ref 1

hydrophila, Psathyrella ref 1 Hygrocybe ref 1 hygrometricum, Geastrum ref 1 hygrometricus, Astraeus ref 1 Hygrophoropsis ref 1 Hygrophorus ref 1 Hymenochaete ref 1 Hyphodontia ref 1 Hypholoma ref 1 Hypochnicium ref 1 Hypomyces ref 1 hypothejus, Hygrophorus ref 1 Hypoxylon ref 1 hypoxylon, Xylaria ref 1 Hypsizygus ref 1 hysginus, Lactarius ref 1 hystrix, Inocybe ref 1 hystrix, Lepiota ref 1 igniarius, Phellinus ref 1 ignivolvata, Lepiota ref 1 illinita, Limacella ref 1 illudens, Omphalotus ref 1 imbricatum, Tricholoma ref 1 impatiens, Coprinus ref 1 imperiale, Catathelasma ref 1 impolitus, Boletus ref 1 impudicus, Phallus ref 1 inaurata, Amanita ref 1 incana, Leptonia ref 1 incanum, Entoloma ref 1 incarnata, Peniophora ref 1 incarnata, Thelephora ref 1 incisus, Cortinarius ref 1 inclinata, Mycena ref 1 incrustans, Sebacina ref 1 inflata, Rhizina ref 1 infractus, Cortinarius ref 1 infula, Gyromitra ref 1 infundibuliformis, Cantharellus ref 1

infundibuliformis, Clitocybe ref 1 Inkcap ref 1 Inkstain Bolete ref 1 Inky Mushroom ref 1 Inocybe ref 1 Inonotus ref 1 inquilinus, Psilocybe ref 1 inquinans, Bulgaria ref 1 integra, Russula ref 1 intermedia, Hygrocybe ref 1 intermedia, Russula ref 1 intermedius, Hygrophorus ref 1 involutus, Paxillus ref 1 Iodine Bolete ref 1 Iodine Bonnet ref 1 iodolens, Mycena ref 1 ionochlora, Russula ref 1 irina, Lepista ref 1 irrigata, Hygrocybe ref 1 irrorata, Lepiota ref 1 Ischnoderma ref 1 Italian White Truffle ref 1 Ivory Bonnet ref 1 Ivory Funnel ref 1 Ivory Woodwax ref 1 Jack O’ Lantern ref 1 Jelly Ear ref 1 Jelly Fungi ref 1 Jelly Rot ref 1 Jelly Tooth ref 1 Jellybaby ref 1 Jewelled Amanita ref 1 jonesii, Coprinus ref 1 josserandii, Lepiota ref 1 juncea, Clavaria ref 1 juncea, Macrotyphula ref 1 junceus, Clavariadelphus ref 1 junonius, Gymnopilus ref 1 junquillea, Amanita ref 1

jurana, Inocybe ref 1 King Alfred’s Cakes ref 1 Knight ref 1 konradii, Lepiota ref 1 konradii, Macrolepiota ref 1 Kretzschmaria ref 1 kuehneriana, Conocybe ref 1 kuehnerianus, Lactarius ref 1 Laccaria ref 1 laccata, Laccaria ref 1 var. amethystea ref 1 laccata, Russula ref 1 laccata, Russula ref 1 lacera, Inocybe ref 1 Lachnellula ref 1 Lacquered Bracket ref 1 lacrymabunda, Lacrymaria ref 1 lacrymans, Serpula ref 1 Lacrymaria ref 1 Lactarius ref 1 lactea, Conocybe ref 1 lactea, Hemimycena ref 1 lactea, Mycena ref 1 lacunosa, Helvella ref 1 laeta, Hygrocybe ref 1 Laetiporus ref 1 laetus, Hygrophorus ref 1 laeve, Crucibulum ref 1 laeve, Cylindrobasidium ref 1 lagopides, Coprinus ref 1 lagopus, Coprinus ref 1 lanatus, Boletus ref 1 langei, Agaricus ref 1 langei, Hygrocybe ref 1 langei, Russula ref 1 laniger, Cortinarius ref 1 lanigeroides, Cortinarius ref 1 lanipes, Agaricus ref 1

lanuginosa, Inocybe ref 1 Lanzia ref 1 Larch Bolete ref 1 Larch Knight ref 1 largus, Cortinarius ref 1 lascivum, Tricholoma ref 1 lateritium, Hypholoma ref 1 Lawyer’s Wig ref 1 lazulina, Leptonia ref 1 lazulinum, Entoloma ref 1 lazulinus, Rhodophyllus ref 1 Leaf Parachute ref 1 Leccinum ref 1 legaliae, Boletus ref 1 leiocarpa, Plicaria ref 1 Lemon Disco ref 1 lenta, Pholiota ref 1 Lentaria ref 1 lenticularis, Limacella ref 1 Lentil Shanklet ref 1 Lentinellus ref 1 lentus, Polyporus ref 1 Lenzites ref 1 leoninus, Pluteus ref 1 leonis, Boletus ref 1 Leopard Earthball ref 1 Leotia ref 1 lepida, Russula ref 1 Lepiota ref 1 Lepista ref 1 leptocephala, Mycena ref 1 leptocephalus, Polyporus ref 1 Leucoagaricus ref 1 leucocephalum, Lyophyllum ref 1 leucocephalum, Tricholoma ref 1 Leucocoprinus ref 1 Leucocortinarius ref 1 leucogala, Mycena ref 1 Leucogyrophana ref 1 leucomelaena, Helvella ref 1

leucomelas, Paxina ref 1 Leucopaxillus ref 1 leucophaeus, Hygrophorus ref 1 leucothites, Leucoagaricus ref 1 Liberty Cap ref 1 Lichenomphalia ref 1 lignatilis, Ossicaulis ref 1 lignatilis, Pleurotus ref 1 lignicola, Boletus ref 1 lignicola, Buchwaldoboletus ref 1 Lilac Bonnet ref 1 Lilac Dapperling ref 1 Lilac Fibrecap ref 1 Lilac Leg Fibrecap ref 1 Lilac Mushroom ref 1 Lilac Oysterling ref 1 Lilac Pinkgill ref 1 Lilacscale Milkcap ref 1 Limacella ref 1 limonius, Cortinarius ref 1 Lion Shield ref 1 Liver Milkcap ref 1 Livid Pinkgill ref 1 lividum, Entoloma ref 1 lividum, Lycoperdon ref 1 lividus, Gyrodon ref 1 lividus, Uloporus ref 1 longipes, Xylaria ref 1 longisegmentis, Cordyceps ref 1 Loreleia ref 1 loricatum, Lyophyllum ref 1 lubrica, Leotia ref 1 lucida, Nolanea ref 1 lucidum, Entoloma ref 1 lucidum, Ganoderma ref 1 Lumpy Bracket ref 1 lundellii, Russula ref 1 Lurid Bolete ref 1 luridiformis, Boletus ref 1 luridus, Boletus ref 1

luscina, Lepista ref 1 lutea, Lepiota ref 1 luteoalba, Clavaria ref 1 luteoalba, Clavulinopsis ref 1 luteoalba var. sulphureomarginata, Mycena ref 1 luteolus, Crepidotus ref 1 luteolus, Lactarius ref 1 luteolus, Rhizopogon ref 1 luteotacta, Russula ref 1 luteovirens, Floccularia ref 1 luteovirens, Hypomyces ref 1 luteovirens, Pluteus ref 1 luteovirescens, Lanzia ref 1 luteovirescens, Rutstroemia ref 1 luteovitellina, Omphalina ref 1 lutescens, Cantharellus ref 1 lutescens, Pluteus ref 1 luteus, Suillus ref 1 lycii, Peniophora ref 1 lycoperdoides, Asterophora ref 1 Lycoperdon ref 1 Lyophyllum ref 1 macrocephalus, Coprinus ref 1 Macrocystidia ref 1 macrocystis, Anthracobia ref 1 Macrolepiota ref 1 macropus, Helvella ref 1 macropus, Macroscyphus ref 1 Macroscyphus ref 1 macrosporus, Agaricus ref 1 Macrotyphula ref 1 maculata, Collybia ref 1 maculata, Inocybe ref 1 maculata, Mycena ref 1 maculata, Russula ref 1 maculatus, Gomphidius ref 1 Magic Mushroom ref 1 magnatum, Tuber ref 1 magnispora, Lepiota ref 1

Magpie Inkcap ref 1 mairei, Lactarius ref 1 mairei, Russula ref 1 malachioides, Cortinarius ref 1 malachius, Cortinarius ref 1 malicorius, Cortinarius ref 1 mammiforme, Lycoperdon ref 1 mammosus, Lactarius ref 1 Marasmiellus ref 1 Marasmius ref 1 marcescibilis, Psathyrella ref 1 marchii, Hygrocybe ref 1 margaritispora, Inocybe ref 1 marginatum, Hypholoma ref 1 marriagei, Lepiota ref 1 marriagei, Leucoagaricus ref 1 mastioidea, Lepiota ref 1 mastoidea, Macrolepiota ref 1 Matt Bolete ref 1 Matt Knight ref 1 maura, Mycena ref 1 maura, Myxomphalia ref 1 maura, Omphalina ref 1 maydis, Ustilago ref 1 Mazegill ref 1 Meadow Coral ref 1 Meadow Puffball ref 1 Meadow Waxcap ref 1 Mealy Bigfoot Webcap ref 1 Mealy Frosted Funnel ref 1 Mealy Funnel ref 1 meandriformis, Choiromyces ref 1 Medusa Brittlestem ref 1 Megacollybia ref 1 megaspora, Mycena ref 1 melaleucus, Phellodon ref 1 Melanoleuca ref 1 Melanophyllum ref 1 melanopus, Polyporus ref 1 melanosporum, Tuber ref 1

Melastiza ref 1 melinus, Cortinarius ref 1 mellea, Armillaria ref 1 mephitica, Collybia ref 1 mephitica, Tephrocybe ref 1 merdaria, Psilocybe ref 1 merdaria, Stropharia ref 1 Meripilus ref 1 merismoides, Phlebia ref 1 mesenterica, Auricularia ref 1 mesenterica, Tremella ref 1 mesophaeum, Hebeloma ref 1 mesotephrus, Hygrophorus ref 1 metachroa, Clitocybe ref 1 micaceus, Coprinus ref 1 Microglossum ref 1 Micromphale ref 1 microrhiza, Psathyrella ref 1 Mild Milkcap ref 1 militaris, Cordyceps ref 1 Milkcap ref 1 Milking Bonnet ref 1 Milk-white Brittlegill ref 1 Milky Bonnet ref 1 Miller, The ref 1 miniata, Hygrocybe ref 1 mitis, Panellus ref 1 mitis, Pleurotus ref 1 mitissimus, Lactarius ref 1 Mitrula ref 1 mniophila, Galerina ref 1 moelleri, Agaricus ref 1 moelleri, Cystolepiota ref 1 molesta, Agrocybe ref 1 molle, Lycoperdon ref 1 mollis, Crepidotus ref 1 mollis, Datronia ref 1 mollis, Trametes ref 1 mollusca, Leucogyrophana ref 1 molluscus, Merulius ref 1

molybdites, Chlorophyllum ref 1 montana, Bondarzewia ref 1 montana, Psilocybe ref 1 Moor Club ref 1 moravicus, Boletus ref 1 moravicus, Xerocomus ref 1 Morchella ref 1 Morel ref 1 Morille ref 1 Mosaic Puffball ref 1 moseri, Conocybe ref 1 Moss Oysterling ref 1 Mottled Bolete ref 1 Mottlegill ref 1 mougeotii, Entoloma ref 1 mougeotii, Leptonia ref 1 Mountain Brownie ref 1 Mousepee Pinkgill ref 1 mucida, Oudemansiella ref 1 mucifluus, Cortinarius ref 1 mucosus, Cortinarius ref 1 multiformis, Cortinarius ref 1 multipedata, Psathyrella ref 1 multizonata, Podoscypha ref 1 multizonata, Thelephora ref 1 muricatus, Elaphomyces ref 1 muscaria, Amanita ref 1 muscorum, Deconica ref 1 Mushrooms ref 1 musteus, Lactarius ref 1 mutabilis, Galerina ref 1 mutabilis, Kuehneromyces ref 1 Mutinus ref 1 Mycena ref 1 mycenopsis, Galerina ref 1 Mycoacia ref 1 myomyces, Tricholoma ref 1 myosotis, Hypholoma ref 1 myosotis, Pholiota ref 1 myosura, Baeospora ref 1

myosura, Collybia ref 1 Myriostoma ref 1 Myxacium (Cortinarius) ref 1 Myxomphalia ref 1 Nail Fungus ref 1 nanum, Geastrum ref 1 nanus var. lutescens, Pluteus ref 1 napipes, Inocybe ref 1 narcoticus, Coprinus ref 1 naucina, Lepiota ref 1 Naucoria ref 1 nauseosa, Russula ref 1 Navel ref 1 nebularis, Clitocybe ref 1 necator, Lactarius ref 1 Nectria ref 1 Neobulgaria ref 1 Netted Stinkhorn ref 1 nidorosum, Entoloma ref 1 nidulans, Hapalopilus ref 1 Nidularia ref 1 niger, Phellodon ref 1 nigrescens, Bovista ref 1 nigrescens, Hygrocybe ref 1 nigrescens, Lycoperdon ref 1 nigricans, Phellinus ref 1 nigricans, Russula ref 1 nitida, Russula ref 1 nitrata, Hygrocybe ref 1 nitratus, Hygrophorus ref 1 Nitrous Bonnet ref 1 Nitrous Waxcap ref 1 nivea, Skeletocutis ref 1 nivescens, Agaricus ref 1 niveus, Coprinus ref 1 nobilis, Russula ref 1 norvegica, Russula ref 1 nuda, Lepista ref 1 nummularia, Biscogniauxia ref 1

nummularium, Hypoxylon ref 1 Oak Bolete ref 1 Oak Bracket ref 1 Oak Curtain Crust ref 1 Oak Mazegill ref 1 Oak Pin ref 1 Oakbug Milkcap ref 1 obliquus, Inonotus ref 1 obnubilus, Lactarius ref 1 obscura, Collybia ref 1 obscura, Russula ref 1 obscuratus, Lactarius ref 1 obtusata, Psathyrella ref 1 obtusus, Cortinarius ref 1 Ochre Aldercap ref 1 Ochre Brittlegill ref 1 ochrochlora, Pholiota ref 1 ochroleuca, Russula ref 1 ochroleucus, Cortinarius ref 1 Octospora ref 1 odora, Clitocybe ref 1 odorata, Russula ref 1 Oilslick Brittlegill ref 1 Old Man of the Woods ref 1 Oldrose Bolete ref 1 olearioides, Cortinarius ref 1 olidus, Cortinarius ref 1 olivacea, Russula ref 1 olivaceomarginata, Mycena ref 1 Olive Brittlegill ref 1 Olive Brownie ref 1 Olive Oysterling ref 1 olla, Cyathus ref 1 Omphaliaster ref 1 omphaliformis, Lactarius ref 1 Omphalina ref 1 Omphalotus ref 1 onotica, Otidea ref 1 onotica, Peziza ref 1

oortiana, Mycena ref 1 ophioglossoides, Cordyceps ref 1 Orange Birch Bolete ref 1 Orange Bonnet ref 1 Orange Cup ref 1 Orange Grisette ref 1 Orange Milkcap ref 1 Orange Mosscap ref 1 Orange Oak Bolete ref 1 Orange Peel Fungus ref 1 Orange Pinwheel ref 1 Orange Webcap ref 1 oreades, Marasmius ref 1 oreadiformis, Lepiota ref 1 oreadoides, Collybia ref 1 oreadoides, Marasmius ref 1 orellanus, Cortinarius ref 1 orirubens, Tricholoma ref 1 ortonii, Entoloma ref 1 osecanus, Agaricus ref 1 osmophorus, Cortinarius ref 1 Ossicaulis ref 1 ostoyae, Armillaria ref 1 ostrea, Stereum ref 1 ostreatus, Pleurotus ref 1 Otidea ref 1 Oudemansiella ref 1 ovina, Hygrocybe ref 1 ovinus, Albatrellus ref 1 ovinus, Hygrophorus ref 1 ovoidea, Amanita ref 1 Oxyporus ref 1 Oyster ref 1 Oyster Mushroom ref 1 Oyster Rollrim ref 1 Oysterling ref 1 pachyspermus, Coprinus ref 1 Palamino Cup ref 1 Pale Brittlestem ref 1

Pale Milkcap ref 1 Pale Oyster ref 1 pallidoluctosum, Hebeloma ref 1 pallidus, Lactarius ref 1 palmata, Thelephora ref 1 palmatus, Pleurotus ref 1 palmatus, Rhodotus ref 1 paludosa, Agrocybe ref 1 paludosa, Mitrula ref 1 paludosa, Russula ref 1 palustris, Collybia ref 1 palustris, Tephrocybe ref 1 Panaeolina ref 1 Panaeolus ref 1 Panellus ref 1 Panthercap ref 1 pantherina, Amanita ref 1 panuoides, Paxillus ref 1 panuoides, Tapinella ref 1 Panus ref 1 papilionaceus, Panaeolus ref 1 var. parvisporus ref 1 Parachutes ref 1 paradoxa, Schizopora ref 1 Parasitic Bolete ref 1 parasitica, Asterophora ref 1 parasiticus, Boletus ref 1 parasiticus, Pseudoboletus ref 1 parasiticus, Xerocomus ref 1 Parasol Mushroom ref 1 parazurea, Russula ref 1 Parrot Waxcap ref 1 parvannulatus, Cortinarius ref 1 parvula, Volvariella ref 1 patouillardii, Inocybe ref 1 Pavement Mushroom ref 1 Paxillus ref 1 Pear Fibrecap ref 1 Pearly Parachute ref 1 Pearly Webcap ref 1

pearsoniana, Mycena ref 1 pearsonii, Cortinarius ref 1 Peat Brownie ref 1 peckii, Hydnellum ref 1 pectinatoides, Russula ref 1 pectinatum, Geastrum ref 1 pediades, Agrocybe ref 1 Pedicel Puffball ref 1 pedicellatum, Lycoperdon ref 1 Peeling Oysterling ref 1 pelianthina, Mycena ref 1 pellucidipes, Psathyrella ref 1 pencillata, Thelephora ref 1 penetrans, Gymnopilus ref 1 Peniophora ref 1 pennata, Psathyrella ref 1 Penny Bun ref 1 Pepper Pot ref 1 Peppery Bolete ref 1 Peppery Milkcap ref 1 percincta, Conocybe ref 1 percomis, Cortinarius ref 1 perennis, Coltricia ref 1 Perigord Truffle ref 1 perlatum, Lycoperdon ref 1 peronata, Collybia ref 1 persistens, Hygrocybe ref 1 var. konradii ref 1 Pestle Puffball ref 1 petalodes, Hohenbuehelia ref 1 petasatus, Pluteus ref 1 petersii, Peziza ref 1 petiginosa, Inocybe ref 1 Peziza ref 1 peziza, Nectria ref 1 pfeifferi, Ganoderma ref 1 Phaecollybia ref 1 phaeolepidotus, Agaricus ref 1 Phaeolepiota ref 1 Phaeolus ref 1

phaeophthalma, Clitocybe ref 1 phalloides, Amanita ref 1 phalloides, Battarraea ref 1 Phallus ref 1 Phellinus ref 1 Phellodon ref 1 phillipsii, Galerina ref 1 Phlebia ref 1 phlebophorous, Pluteus ref 1 Phlegmacium (Cortinarius) ref 1 phoeniceus, Cortinarius ref 1 pholideus, Cortinarius ref 1 Pholiota ref 1 phyllophila, Clitocybe ref 1 picaceus, Coprinus ref 1 piceinum, Leccinum ref 1 Pied de mouton ref 1 Piggyback ref 1 pilatiana, Lepiota ref 1 pilatianus, Agaricus ref 1 pilatianus, Leucoagaricus ref 1 piluliformis, Psathyrella ref 1 Pimple Pinkgill ref 1 Pine Bolete ref 1 Pine Firefungus ref 1 Pine Milkcap ref 1 Pinecone Cap ref 1 pini, Phellinus ref 1 pinicola, Fomitopsis ref 1 pinicola, Polyporus ref 1 Pink Bonnet ref 1 Pink Domecap ref 1 Pink Waxcap ref 1 Pinkgill ref 1 Pinkmottle Woodwax ref 1 pinophilus, Boletus ref 1 Pipe Club ref 1 piperatus, Boletus ref 1 piperatus, Chalciporus ref 1 piperatus, Lactarius ref 1

Piptoporus ref 1 Pisolithus ref 1 pistillaris, Clavariadelphus ref 1 Plantpot Dapperling ref 1 platyphylla, Megacollybia ref 1 platyphylla, Tricholomopsis ref 1 plautus, Pluteus ref 1 Pleated Inkcap ref 1 Pleurocybella ref 1 Pleurotus ref 1 Plicaria ref 1 plicatilis, Coprinus ref 1 plumbea, Bovista ref 1 Plums and Custard ref 1 Pluteus ref 1 Podoscypha ref 1 podospileus, Pluteus ref 1 Podostroma ref 1 Poisonpie ref 1, ref 2 polioleuca, Melanoleuca ref 1 polygramma, Mycena ref 1 polymorpha, Xylaria ref 1 Polypores ref 1 Polyporus ref 1 popinalis, Clitocybe ref 1 popinalis, Rhodocybe ref 1 Poplar Bracket ref 1 Poplar Fieldcap ref 1 populinus, Oxyporus ref 1 Porcelain fungus ref 1 Poronia ref 1 porosporus, Boletus ref 1 porosporus, Xerocomus ref 1 Porphyrellus ref 1 porphyria, Amanita ref 1 porphyrizon, Agaricus ref 1 porphyrocephalus, Agaricus ref 1 porphyrophaeum, Entoloma ref 1 porphyrophaeus, Rhodophyllus ref 1 porphyrophaeus, Trichopilus ref 1

porphyropus, Cortinarius ref 1 porphyrosporus, Porphyrellus ref 1 porrigens, Pleurocybella ref 1 porrigens, Pleurotellus ref 1 portentosum, Tricholoma ref 1 Postia ref 1 postii, Loreleia ref 1 postii, Omphalina ref 1 Pouched False Morel ref 1 Powdery Brittlegill ref 1 Powdery Piggyback ref 1 praecox, Agrocybe ref 1 praestans, Cortinarius ref 1 praetervisa, Inocybe ref 1 pratense, Vascellum ref 1 pratensis, Camarophyllus ref 1 pratensis, Cuphophyllus ref 1 pratensis, Hygrocybe ref 1 pratensis, Hygrophorus ref 1 Primrose Brittlegill ref 1 Prince, The ref 1 procera, Lepiota ref 1 procera, Macrolepiota ref 1 proteana f. sparassoides, Peziza ref 1 proxima, Laccaria ref 1 var. bicolor ref 1 pruinatus, Boletus ref 1 Prunes and Custard ref 1 prunulus, Clitopilus ref 1 psammopus, Tricholoma ref 1 Psathyrella ref 1 Pseudoboletus ref 1 Pseudoclitocybe ref 1 Pseudocraterellus ref 1 pseudohelveola, Lepiota ref 1 Pseudohydnum ref 1 pseudointegra, Russula ref 1 pseudolilacea, Lepiota ref 1 Pseudomerulius ref 1 pseudoprivignus, Cortinarius ref 1

pseudopura, Mycena ref 1 pseudosalor, Cortinarius ref 1 pseudoscaber, Porphyrellus ref 1 pseudoscabrum, Leccinum ref 1 pseudosulphureus, Cortinarius ref 1 pseudovillaticus, Agaricus ref 1 Psilocybe ref 1 psittacina, Hygrocybe ref 1 psittacinus, Hygrophorus ref 1 pterosporus, Lactarius ref 1 pubescens, Conocybe ref 1 pubescens, Lactarius ref 1 pudorinus, Hygrophorus ref 1 puellaris, Russula ref 1 Puffball ref 1 pulchella, Russula ref 1 pulchellus, Cortinarius ref 1 pulchrum, Leccinum ref 1 pulmonarius, Pleurotus ref 1 pulverulentus, Boletus ref 1 pulverulentus, Xerocomus ref 1 pumila, Galerina ref 1 punctata, Poronia ref 1 punicea, Hygrocybe ref 1 puniceus, Cortinarius ref 1 puniceus, Hygrophorus ref 1 pura, Mycena ref 1 pura, Neobulgaria ref 1 var. foliacea ref 1 Purple Brittlegill ref 1 Purple Jellydisc ref 1 Purple Stocking Webcap ref 1 Purple Swamp Brittlegill ref 1 Purplepore Bracket ref 1 purpurascens, Cortinarius ref 1 purpurea, Claviceps ref 1 purpureobadia, Laccaria ref 1 purpureum, Chondrostereum ref 1 purpureum, Stereum ref 1 purpureus, Cortinarius ref 1

pusilla, Volvariella ref 1 pusillum, Hebeloma ref 1 pustulatus, Hygrophorus ref 1 puteana, Coniophora ref 1 Pycnoporus ref 1 pyriforme, Lycoperdon ref 1 pyriodora, Inocybe ref 1 pyrogalus, Lactarius ref 1 pyxidata, Omphalina ref 1 quadrifidum, Geastrum ref 1 queletii, Boletus ref 1 quercina, Daedalea ref 1 quercina, Peniophora ref 1 quercinum, Leccinum ref 1 quieticolor, Lactarius ref 1 quietus, Lactarius ref 1 radiata, Phlebia ref 1 radiatus, Inonotus ref 1 radicans, Boletus ref 1 radicata, Oudemansiella ref 1 radicata, Xerula ref 1 radicosa, Pholiota ref 1 radicosum, Hebeloma ref 1 Ramaria ref 1 ramealis, Marasmiellus ref 1 ramealis, Marasmius ref 1 ramosum, Hericium ref 1 Rancid Greyling ref 1 rancida, Collybia ref 1 rancida, Tephrocybe ref 1 raoultii, Russula ref 1 rapaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 raphanoides, Cortinarius ref 1 ravenelii, Mutinus ref 1 Rayed Earthstar ref 1 Razorstrop Fungus ref 1 Red Banded Webcap ref 1 Red Cage ref 1

Red Cracking Bolete ref 1 Red Edge Brittlestem ref 1 Redlead Roundhead ref 1 Redleg Club ref 1 Redleg Toughshank ref 1 Redspored Dapperling ref 1 Red-staining Fibrecap ref 1 reidii, Hygrocybe ref 1 repanda, Peziza ref 1 repandum, Hydnum ref 1 resinosum, Ischnoderma ref 1 reticulatus, Bolbitius ref 1 reticulatus, Boletus ref 1 retiruga, Arrhenia ref 1 retirugum, Leptoglossum ref 1 rhacodes, Lepiota ref 1 var. hortensis ref 1 rhacodes, Macrolepiota ref 1 var. bohemica ref 1 var. hortensis ref 1 rhacodes, Chlorophyllum ref 1 rheubarbarinus, Cortinarius ref 1 Rhizina ref 1 Rhizopogon ref 1 Rhodocybe ref 1 rhodopolium, Entoloma ref 1 rhodopurpureus, Boletus ref 1 rhodopus, Russula ref 1 rhodorrhiza, Lepiota ref 1 Rhodotus ref 1 rhodoxanthus, Boletus ref 1 Rickenella ref 1 rickenianus, Cortinarius ref 1 rickenii, Conocybe ref 1 rickenii, Panaeolus ref 1 Ridged Tooth ref 1 rigens, Cortinarius ref 1 rigidipes, Leccinum ref 1 Rigidoporus ref 1 rigidus, Cortinarius ref 1

rimosa, Inocybe ref 1 Ringless Honey Fungus ref 1 Ripartites ref 1 risigallina, Russula ref 1 rivulosa, Clitocybe ref 1 romellii, Pluteus ref 1 Root Rot ref 1 Rooting Poisonpie ref 1 Rooting Shank ref 1 Rootlet Brittlestem ref 1 rorida, Mycena ref 1 Rose Spindles ref 1 rosea, Clavaria ref 1 rosea, Cystolepiota ref 1 rosea, Lepiota ref 1 rosea, Russula ref 1 rosea, Russula ref 1 Rosegill ref 1 roseipes, Russula ref 1 rosella, Mycena ref 1 roseofloccosa, Limacella ref 1 roseofractum, Leccinum ref 1 roseotincta, Omphalia ref 1 roseus, Gomphidius ref 1 Rosso Coral ref 1 Rosy Brittlegill ref 1 Rosy Crust ref 1 Rosy Spike ref 1 Rosy Woodwax ref 1 rotula, Marasmius ref 1 Roundhead ref 1 Rozites ref 1 rubellus, Boletus ref 1 ubellus, Cortinarius ref 1 rubellus, Xerocomus ref 1 ruber, Clathrus ref 1 ruberrima, Russula ref 1 rubescens, Amanita ref 1 var. annulosulphurea ref 1 rubescens, Trametes ref 1

rubicundulus, Cortinarius ref 1 rubiginosa, Hymenochaete ref 1 rubra, Aseroë ref 1 rufescens, Geastrum ref 1 rufescens, Hydnum ref 1 rufo-olivaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 Rufous Milkcap ref 1 rufus, Lactarius ref 1 rugosa, Clavaria ref 1 rugosa, Clavulina ref 1 rugosoannulata, Stropharia ref 1 rugosum, Stereum ref 1 Russet Toughshank ref 1 russocoriacea, Hygrocybe ref 1 russo-coriaceus, Cuphophyllus ref 1 Russula ref 1 russula, Hygrophorus ref 1 Rustgill ref 1 rutilans, Hapalopilus ref 1 rutilans, Neottiella ref 1 rutilans, Octospora ref 1 rutilans, Tricholomopsis ref 1 rutilus, Chroogomphus ref 1 Rutstroemia ref 1 saepium, Entoloma ref 1 saeva, Lepista ref 1 Saffron Bolete ref 1 Saffron Milkcap ref 1 Saffrondrop Bonnet ref 1 salicinus, Pluteus ref 1 Salmon Salad ref 1 salmonicolor, Lactarius ref 1 sambuci, Hyphoderma ref 1 sambuci, Hyphodontia ref 1 Sandy Siltball ref 1 sanguinaria, Russula ref 1 sanguinea, Russula ref 1 sanguineus, Cortinarius ref 1 sanguinolenta, Mycena ref 1

saniosa, Peziza ref 1 saniosus, Cortinarius ref 1 saponaceum, Tricholoma var. boudieri ref 1 var. lavedanum ref 1 var. squamosum ref 1 saporatus, Cortinarius ref 1 Sarcodon ref 1 sarcoides, Ascocoryne ref 1 sarcoides, Coryne ref 1 Sarcoscypha ref 1 sardonia, Russula ref 1 sarrazinii, Galactinia ref 1 Satan’s Bolete ref 1 satanas, Boletus ref 1 Satin Shield ref 1 saturninus, Cortinarius ref 1 scabrosus, Sarcodon ref 1 scabrum, Leccinum ref 1 scalpturatum, Tricholoma ref 1 Scaly Earthball ref 1 Scaly Fibrecap ref 1 Scaly Knight ref 1 Scaly Tooth ref 1 Scaly Webcap ref 1 Scaly Wood Mushroom ref 1 Scalycap ref 1 scamba, Pholiota ref 1 scandens, Cortinarius ref 1 Scarlet Brittlegill ref 1 Scarlet Caterpillarclub ref 1 Scarlet Elfcup ref 1 Scarlet Waxcap ref 1 scaurus, Cortinarius ref 1 Schizophyllum ref 1 Schizopora ref 1 schmidelli, Geastrum ref 1 schweinitzii, Phaeolus ref 1 schweinitzii, Polyporus ref 1 Scleroderma ref 1

scorodonius, Marasmius ref 1 scotica, Tazzetta ref 1 scrobiculatum, Hydnellum ref 1 Scurfy Deceiver ref 1 Scurfy Fibrecap ref 1 Scurfy Twiglet ref 1 scutellata, Scutellinia ref 1 Scutellinia ref 1 scyphoides, Clitopilus ref 1 sebacea, Thelephora ref 1 Sebacina ref 1 sejunctum, Tricholoma ref 1 semibulbosus, Pluteus ref 1 Semifree Morel ref 1 semiglobata, Stropharia ref 1 semilanceata, Psilocybe ref 1 semilibera, Mitrophora ref 1 semilibera, Morchella ref 1 seminuda, Cystolepiota ref 1 semiorbicularis, Agrocybe ref 1 semiovatus, Panaeolus ref 1 semipileata, Incrustoporia ref 1 semisanguifluus, Lactarius ref 1 semisanguineus, Cortinarius ref 1 senescens, Hebeloma ref 1 seperina, Russula ref 1 sepiarium, Gloeophyllum ref 1 sepulta, Geopora ref 1 sericella, Alboleptonia ref 1 sericella, Leptonia ref 1 sericellum, Entoloma ref 1 Sericeocybe (Cortinarius) ref 1 serifluus, Lactarius ref 1 serotinus, Panellus ref 1 serotinus, Pleurotus ref 1 Serpula ref 1 serrulata, Leptonia ref 1 serrulatum, Entoloma ref 1 Sessile Earthstar ref 1 sessile, Geastrum ref 1

Shaggy Bracket ref 1 Shaggy Inkcap ref 1 Shaggy Parasol ref 1 Shaggy Scalycap ref 1 Sheathed Woodtuft ref 1 Shield ref 1 Shield Dapperling ref 1 Shield Pinkgill ref 1 Shooting Star ref 1 siccus, Marasmius ref 1 Sickener, The ref 1 Silky Piggyback ref 1 Silky Rosegill ref 1 silvaticus, Agaricus ref 1 silvaticus, Coprinus ref 1 Silverleaf Fungus ref 1 silvicola, Agaricus ref 1 Simocybe ref 1 simulatus, Cortinarius ref 1 sinapizans, Hebeloma ref 1 sindonia, Inocybe ref 1 sinopica, Clitocybe ref 1 sinuatum, Entoloma ref 1 sinuosus, Pseudocraterellus ref 1 sistrata, Cystolepiota ref 1 Skeletocutis ref 1 Skullcap Dapperling ref 1 Slate Bolete ref 1 Slender Brittlegill ref 1 Slender Club ref 1 Slender Parasol ref 1 Slimy Spike ref 1 Slimy Waxcap ref 1 Slimy Webcap ref 1 Slippery Jack ref 1 Small Stagshorn ref 1 Smoky Bracket ref 1 Smoky Domecap ref 1 Smoky Spindles ref 1 Snakeskin Brownie ref 1

Snakeskin Grisette ref 1 Snaketongue Truffleclub ref 1 Snapping Bonnet ref 1 Snowy Inkcap ref 1 Snowy Waxcap ref 1 Soap Tricholoma ref 1 Soapy Knight ref 1 sodagnitus, Cortinarius ref 1 Soft Puffball ref 1 solitaria, Amanita ref 1, ref 2 Solitary Amanita ref 1 Sooty Milkcap ref 1 sordida, Lepista ref 1 Southern Bracket ref 1 spadiceum, Lycoperdon ref 1 spadiceum, Stereum ref 1 Sparassis ref 1 speciosa, Volvariella ref 1 speciosissimus, Cortinarius ref 1 speciosus, Panaeolus ref 1 spectabilis var. junonia, Pholiota ref 1 Spectacular Rustgill ref 1 speirea, Mycena ref 1 Sphaerobolus ref 1 Sphagnum Brownie ref 1 Sphagnum Greyling ref 1 sphinctrinus, Panaeolus ref 1 Spindle-shank ref 1 spinosulus, Lactarius ref 1 Spiny Puffball ref 1 spissa, Amanita ref 1 splendens, Cortinarius ref 1 Splendid Webcap ref 1 splendidus, Boletus ref 1 Split Fibrecap ref 1 Split Porecrust ref 1 Split-gill ref 1 spongiosipes, Hydnellum ref 1 Spongipellis ref 1 Spotted Toughshank ref 1

Spring Cavalier ref 1 Spring Fieldcap ref 1 spumeus, Spongipellis ref 1 squamosa, Psathyrella ref 1 squamosa, Stropharia ref 1 squamosus, Polyporus ref 1 squamosus, Sarcodon ref 1 squarrosa, Pholiota ref 1 squarrulosum, Tricholoma ref 1 St George’s Mushroom ref 1 Stag’s Horn ref 1 staurospora, Nolanea ref 1 staurosporus, Rhodophyllus ref 1 stellatus, Sphaerobolus ref 1 Stereum ref 1 Sticky Bolete ref 1 Sticky Scalycap ref 1 stillatitius, Cortinarius ref 1 stillatus, Dacrymyces ref 1 Stinkhorn ref 1 Stinking Brittlegill ref 1 Stinking Dapperling ref 1 Stinking Earthfan ref 1 stiptica, Postia ref 1 stipticus, Oligoporus ref 1 stipticus, Panellus ref 1 stipticus, Tyromyces ref 1 straminea, Armillaria ref 1 strangulata, Amanita ref 1 strangulata, Hygrocybe ref 1 Straw Fibrecap ref 1 striatula, Laccaria ref 1 striatus, Cyathus ref 1 stricta, Ramaria ref 1 strictipes, Melanoleuca ref 1 strobilaceus, Strobilomyces ref 1 strobiliformis, Amanita ref 1 Strobilomyces ref 1 Strobilurus ref 1 Stropharia ref 1

Stubble Rosegill ref 1 Stump Puffball ref 1 stylobates, Mycena ref 1 stypticus, Crepidopus ref 1 subbalaustinus, Cortinarius ref 1 subbalteatus, Panaeolus ref 1 subcaesia, Postia ref 1 subcaesius, Oligoporus ref 1 subcaesius, Tyromyces ref 1 subconspersa, Naucoria ref 1 subdulcis, Lactarius ref 1 subferrugineus, Cortinarius ref 1 subfirmus, Panaeolus ref 1 subfoetens, Russula ref 1 subfulgens, Cortinarius ref 1 subincarnata, Lepiota ref 1 sublateritium, Hypholoma ref 1 subovalis, Conocybe ref 1 subperonatus, Agaricus ref 1 subpulverulenta, Melanoleuca ref 1 subtilissima, Lachnellula ref 1 subtomentosus, Boletus ref 1 subtomentosus, Xercomus ref 1 subtortus, Cortinarius ref 1 subturbinatus, Cortinarius ref 1 suburaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 succosa, Peziza ref 1 Suede Bolete ref 1 Suillus ref 1 Sulphur Knight ref 1 Sulphur Polypore ref 1 Sulphur Tuft ref 1 sulphureum, Tricholoma ref 1 sulphureus, Laetiporus ref 1 sulphureus, Polyporus ref 1 Summer Bolete ref 1 Summer Truffle ref 1 sumneriana, Geopora ref 1 sumneriana, Sepultaria ref 1 sumptuosa, Simocybe ref 1

Sunset Webcap ref 1 Surprise Webcap ref 1 swartzii, Mycena ref 1 swartzii, Rickenella ref 1 Sweet Poisonpie ref 1 tabescens, Armillaria ref 1 tabidus, Lactarius ref 1 Tan Ear ref 1 Tapinella ref 1 Tarzetta, see Tazzetta ref 1 Tawny Bolete ref 1 Tawny Funnel ref 1 Tawny Grisette ref 1 Tawny Milkcap ref 1 taxicola, Gloeoporus ref 1 taxicola, Meruliopsis ref 1 taxophila, Clavicorona ref 1 Tazzetta ref 1 Telamonia (Cortinarius) ref 1 tenacella, Pseudohiatula ref 1 tenacellus, Strobilurus ref 1 tenera, Conocybe ref 1 var. subovalis ref 1 teneroides, Conocybe ref 1 Tephrocybe ref 1 terpsichores, Cortinarius ref 1 Terracotta Hedgehog ref 1 terrei, Cystoderma ref 1 terrestris, Thelephora ref 1 terreum, Tricholoma ref 1 var. atrosquamosum ref 1 tessulatus, Hypsizygus ref 1 theiogalus, Lactarius ref 1 Thelephora ref 1 theobrominum, Hebeloma ref 1 Thimble Morel ref 1 thomsonii, Pluteus ref 1 Tiered Tooth ref 1 Tiger’s Eye ref 1

tinctorius, Pisolithus ref 1 Tinder Bracket ref 1 titubans, Bolbitius ref 1 Toad’s Ear ref 1 tomentosus, Phellodon ref 1 Tooth ref 1 torminosus, Lactarius ref 1 Torn Fibrecap ref 1 tortilis, Laccaria ref 1 torulosa, Russula ref 1 torulosus, Panus ref 1 torvus, Cortinarius ref 1 Toughshank ref 1 traganus, Cortinarius ref 1 Trametes ref 1 Tremella ref 1 tremellosa, Phlebia ref 1 tremellosus, Merulius ref 1 Trichaptum ref 1 Trichoglossum ref 1 Tricholoma ref 1 tricholoma, Ripartites ref 1 Tricholomopsis ref 1 tricolor, Leucopaxillus ref 1 tridentinus, Suillus ref 1 Tripe Fungus ref 1 triplex, Geastrum ref 1 triumphans, Cortinarius ref 1 trivialis, Cortinarius ref 1 Trompette des morts ref 1 Trooping Crumble Cap ref 1 Trooping Funnel ref 1 Truffles ref 1 trullaeformis, Clitocybe ref 1 Trumpet Chanterelle ref 1 truncata, Rhodocybe ref 1 truncatus, Clavariadelphus ref 1 truncicola, Clitocybe ref 1 tubaeformis, Cantharellus ref 1 Tubaria ref 1

Tuber ref 1 tuberaster, Polyporus ref 1 tuberculosa, Pholiota ref 1 tuberosa, Collybia ref 1 tuberosa, Dumontinia ref 1 tuberosa, Sclerotinia ref 1 Tuberous Polypore ref 1 tulasneanus, Hypomyces ref 1 tulasnei, Hydnotria ref 1 Tulostoma ref 1 turci, Russula ref 1 Turf Mottlegill ref 1 turgidus, Cortinarius ref 1 Turkeytail ref 1 turpis, Lactarius ref 1 Twig Parachute ref 1 Twisted Deceiver ref 1 Tylopilus ref 1 Tyromyces ref 1 uda, Acia ref 1 uda, Mycoacia ref 1 udum, Hypholoma ref 1 Ugly Milkcap ref 1 uliginosus, Cortinarius ref 1 ulmarius, Rigidoporus ref 1 umbellata, Grifola ref 1 umbellatus, Polyporus ref 1 umbellifera, Lichenomphalia ref 1 umbellifera, Omphalina ref 1 umbonata, Cantharellula ref 1 Umbrella Polypore ref 1 umbrina, Inocybe ref 1 umbrina, Otidea ref 1 umbrinella, Clavulinopsis ref 1 umbrinolens, Cortinarius ref 1 umbrorum, Scutellinia ref 1 umbrosus, Pluteus ref 1 undatus, Marasmius ref 1 undulata, Rhizina ref 1

undulatus, Pseudocraterellus ref 1 unguinosus, Hygrophorus ref 1 Upright Coral ref 1 uracea, Mycena ref 1 urinascens, Agaricus ref 1 var. excellens ref 1 ustale, Tricholoma ref 1 ustaloides, Tricholoma ref 1 Ustilago ref 1 utriformis, Calvatia ref 1 utriformis, Handkea ref 1 uvidus, Lactarius ref 1 vaccinii, Exobasidium ref 1 vaccinum, Tricholoma ref 1 vaginata, Amanita ref 1 var. alba ref 1 var. crocea ref 1 vaillantii, Marasmiellus ref 1 vaporarius, Agaricus ref 1 variabilis, Crepidotus ref 1 Variable Brittlegill ref 1 Variable Oysterling ref 1 Variable Russula ref 1 Variable Webcap ref 1 variegatus, Suillus ref 1 variicolor, Cortinarius ref 1 variicolor, Leccinum ref 1 varius, Cortinarius ref 1 varius, Polyporus ref 1 Vascellum ref 1 Veiled Poisonpie ref 1 Veined Shield ref 1 velenovskyi, Russula ref 1 vellereum, Corticium ref 1 vellereus, Lactarius ref 1 vellerum, Hypochnicium ref 1 velutina, Lacrymaria ref 1 velutipes, Collybia ref 1 velutipes, Conocybe ref 1

velutipes, Russula ref 1 velutipes var. velutipes, Flammulina ref 1 Velvet Bolete ref 1 Velvet Brittlegill ref 1 Velvet Shank ref 1 Velvet Shield ref 1 Velvet Tooth ref 1 Velvet Toughshank ref 1 venosa, Disciotis ref 1 ventriosospora, Lepiota ref 1 venustus, Cortinarius ref 1 Verdigris Agaric ref 1 vermicularis, Clavaria ref 1 Vermilion Waxcap ref 1 Verpa ref 1 verrucosum, Scleroderma ref 1 versicolor, Coriolus ref 1 versicolor, Russula ref 1 versicolor, Trametes ref 1 versipelle, Leccinum ref 1 vesca, Russula ref 1 vesiculosa, Peziza ref 1 vibecina, Clitocybe ref 1 vibratilis, Cortinarius ref 1 vietus, Lactarius ref 1 Vinegar Cup ref 1 vinosa, Russula ref 1 vinosobrunnea, Russula ref 1 violacea, Peziza ref 1 violaceus, Cortinarius ref 1 violeipes, Russula ref 1 Violet Coral ref 1 virescens, Russula ref 1 virgatum, Tricholoma ref 1 virginea, Hygrocybe ref 1 virgineus, Cuphophyllus ref 1 viride, Microglossum ref 1 viridis, Clitocybe ref 1 virosa, Amanita ref 1 viscida, Russula ref 1

viscidula, Galerina ref 1 viscidus, Gomphidius ref 1 viscidus, Suillus ref 1 viscosa, Calocera ref 1 vitellina, Hygrocybe ref 1 vitellinus, Bolbitius ref 1 vitellinus, Hygrophorus ref 1 vitilis, Mycena ref 1 volemus, Lactarius ref 1 Volvariella ref 1 Vuilleminia ref 1 vulgare, Auriscalpium ref 1 vulgare, Crucibulum ref 1 vulgaris, Morchella ref 1 vulgatum, Geastrum ref 1 vulpinus, Cortinarius ref 1 Warted Amanita ref 1 Watery Milkcap ref 1 Waxcap ref 1 Waxy Crust ref 1 Webcap ref 1 Weeping Bolete ref 1 Weeping Widow ref 1 Wet Rot ref 1 White Coral ref 1 White Domecap ref 1 White False Deathcap ref 1 White Fibrecap ref 1 White Milking Bonnet ref 1 White Saddle ref 1 White Spindles ref 1 White Webcap ref 1 White-laced Shank ref 1 Willow Bracket ref 1 Willow Shield ref 1 Winecork Brittlegill ref 1 Winter Polypore ref 1 Winter Stalkball ref 1 Witches’ Butter ref 1

Wood Blewit ref 1 Wood Bolete ref 1 Wood Hedgehog ref 1 Wood Mushroom ref 1, ref 2 Wood Pinkgill ref 1 Wood Woollyfoot ref 1 Woodwax ref 1 Woolly Milkcap ref 1 Woolly Tooth ref 1 Wrinkled Club ref 1 Wrinkled Crust ref 1 Wrinkled Peach ref 1 Wrinkled Shield ref 1 wynnei, Marasmius ref 1 xanthodermus, Agaricus ref 1 var. pilatianus ref 1 xanthophyllus, Cortinarius ref 1 xanthopus, Cantharellus ref 1 xerampelina, Russula ref 1 Xeromphalina ref 1 Xerula ref 1 Xylaria ref 1 Yellow Brain ref 1 Yellow Club ref 1 Yellow False Truffle ref 1 Yellow Fieldcap ref 1 Yellow Knight ref 1 Yellow Shield ref 1 Yellow Stagshorn ref 1 Yellow Stainer ref 1 Yellow Swamp Brittlegill ref 1 Yellow Webcap ref 1 Yellowdrop Milkcap ref 1 Yellowing Brittlegill ref 1 Yellowing Cup ref 1 Yellowing Knight ref 1 Yellowing Oysterling ref 1 Yellowleg Bonnet ref 1

Yew Club ref 1 zollingeri, Clavaria ref 1 zonarioides, Lactarius ref 1 zonarius, Lactarius ref 1 Zoned Rosette ref 1 Zoned Tooth ref 1 zvarae, Russula ref 1

First published 2006 by Macmillan This electronic edition published 2013 by Macmillan an imprint of Pan Macmillan Ltd, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited Pan Macmillan, 20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR Basingstoke and Oxford Associated companies throughout the world www.panmacmillan.com ISBN 978-1-4472-6402-6 Copyright © Roger Phillips The right of Roger Phillips to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Visit www.panmacmillan.com to read more about all our books and to buy them. You will also find features, author interviews and news of any author events, and you can sign up for e-newsletters so that you’re always first to hear about our new releases.