Fungi have such great names. There’s Amthyst Deceiver and the Destroying Angel, The Blusher and Devil’s Bolete. Then there’s Hare’s Ear and Elfcups. Fungi are also rich in associated myth and folklore, the best known probably being fungi circles being taken as evidence of fairy rings.
Fungi are equally fascinating for their variety of shapes, colours, textures and habitat. From cap and stem fungi ( more commonly just known as mushrooms and toadstools ) to Bracket fungi and Puffballs, all these different fungi forms represent the varying methods by which they disperse their reproductive spores. The area on a fungi which produces these spores is called the hymenium and this itself may take the form of gills, tubes, spines or may even be enclosed inside the fungi itself.
Fungi are also really interesting because of their symbiotic relationship with many plants and trees which benefit, for example, from the nutrients passed on by fungi. Being able to decompose dead organic matter also makes fungi natural recyclers of nutrients. Unlike plants they don’t need the sun to grow, having a preference for moist and shady habitats.
At Dove Stone you might find Blackening Waxcaps. This poisonous fungi occurs in a range of colours with a constant feature being the blackening of the entire fruitbody with age.
Another fungi that can be found at Dove Stone is the appropriately named False Chanterelle, being inedible and easily mistaken for the edible Chanterelle.
The classic toadstool of children’s books, the extremely poisonous Fly Agaric is also to be found at Dove Stone and is most commonly found with birch, pine and spruce.
You might also see Oak Milkcap and Larch Bolete, the latter being common to wherever Larch grow.
Many thanks to Ken for the terriffic photos.
If you are out on your own fungi foray at Dove Stone or elsewhere please be aware that some rare fungus species are protected by law and must not be picked or their habitat disturbed.
For a good source of online identification check out this link: http://www.mushrooms.org.uk/
And if you’re planning to pick any wild fungi at the very least invest in a decent fieldguide. Some species of fungi are DEADLY POISONOUS. Edible fungi can easily be confused with poisonous ones if specimens are not thoroughly examined; extreme care is therefore essential when gathering wild fungi to be used as food. If you are at all uncertain, show the fungi to an expert and obtain positive identification before eating them or giving them to anyone else who might eat them. The rule is if you’re not 100% sure what it is then don’t eat it.
Check out these timelapse films, starting with a clip from David Attenborough's The Private Life of Plants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puDkLFcCZyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY6mwnRPiRU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvTvaxVySlE