UK Fungus Day @UniofReading notes no. 1

Morning fungus foray in action (Photo by Rupert Wilson)

UK Fungus Day was marked by excellent weather for seeing and collecting fungi.  The group walked through the Wilderness on the morning foray and then in to central campus for the afternoon foray. The group consisted of Thames Valley Fungi Group members, several University alumni and a group of MSc Plant Diversity students as well as School of Biological Sciences staff.

The fungal ID was led by Mike Harrison of Thames Valley Fungus Group along with several other experts so a lot of fungi were found and identified although some were challenging enough that they had to be taken away for ID later on.

Fungus forayers in action. Mike Harrison showing the Orange peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia)

Here are images of just some of the fungi found today with the help of the Thames Valley Fungus Group.  Identifications in process so the gallery will be updated over time.

A- Gymnopilus junonius

A- Gymnopilus junonius

B – tar spot – Rhytisma acerinum?

C – Agaricus sp.

D – Orange peel fungus Aleuria aurantia

E – Beefsteak fungus – Fistulina hepatica

F- Stereum hirsutum

G- Ganoderma australe

H – Common earthball – Scleroderma citrinum – the loose mycelial mass below the earthball is not a stem as seen in other species.

I- Ganoderma australe

J- Coprinellus micaceus

K- Armillaria mellea

L1- Lenzites betulinus

L2- Lenzites betulinus

M- Psathyrella sp.

N1 – Witch’s egg – Phallus impudicus

N2 – Witch’s egg (half section) – Phallus impudicus

O1- Russula sp.

O2- Russula sp.

P – Lawyer’s wig or Shaggy Ink Cap – Coprinus comatus

Q- Psathyrella sp.

R- Stropharia pseudocyanea

S – Tawny Grisette – Amanita fulva

T – Turkey tail fungus – Trametes versicolor

Sample tray 1 – top centre Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral) bottom centre: probably a younger R. stricta, but not confirmed and right Lepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel)

U- Ganoderma australe

V – young Fly Agaric – Amanita muscaria

W1- Armillaria mellea

W2- Armillaria mellea

See fungus records for last year on our Fungi List and Gallery. You can also see other fungi collected on our foray Blog 2 and Blog 3.

Thanks to Mike Harrison and Mike Waterman for providing many challenging identifications.