The fungi season starts here

Look on the ground under and near beech trees for the unmistakable magpie inkcap (image cMark Ward)

Worth waiting for
The recent rain plus the dewy mornings have meant that the fungi season has really kicked off in most places now: a little later than usual, but well worth the wait!

You should be able to find 20+ species on a walk around a good mixed woodland in October. The secret is to look on, below and near as many types of tree as possible. Different species of fungi are associated with different species of tree. 

Beech trees have a whole suite of species associated with them from the immaculate, glistening porcelain fungus growing from dead branches to the super spotty magpie inkcap, which you can find lots of once you've tracked down one. They start off looking like the one above as they rise form the beech litter and soil.

A magpie inkcap in all its glory with remnants of the veil creating the distinctive spotty look (image cMark Ward)

Th-ink about it
Like most inkcaps they can be quite short lived, and rather delicate, and soon unfurl into the shape above. Inkcaps get their name from the fact that they were used to make ink. Once they go over, they become a slushy, mushy mess, creating a lot of black liquid. Sadly the ink is not as good as the modern equivalent, meaning that many old documents are now looking rather faded!

Crusts can cover trees over time, looking like icing on a cake. This is yellow porecrust (image cMark Ward)

Put on your coat
Other fungi have an association with pine trees and the rather acid conditions of the soil around them. This fungus looks a bit like a birthday cake. Porecrust fungi cover their host over time in a waxy coating and this one is the yellow porecrust that grows on old conifer stumps.

In the litter around conifers look out for species like the brilliant bright orange false chanterelle and a variety of colourful Russulas, or brittlegills.

Pipe clubs grow among the leaf litter in damp woodlands (image cMark Ward)

A woodland foray
It's well worth spending time rummaging around in the leaf litter and carefully scanning for fungi protruding from the ground. Small, spindly species such as corals, earthtongues and clubs grow from the ground. The pipe club grows in damp woodlands and it is an amazing sight, standing proud despite being rather flimsy. 

The next month or so should be fabulous for fungi so wrap up and take a walk in your local woods to see what you can find. There's lots more seasonal ideas in your Winter 2018 issue of Nature's Home magazine and on the blog so don't forget to check back in to the Wildabout section.