This Sunday we have a fungi foray ( full details on the events pages on this site ) with Dave Winnard from Manchester Mushrooms. Check out Dave's site: www.manchestermushrooms.co.uk .
At the moment there are plenty of really stunning Fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) at Dove Stone as well as plenty of Amethyst deceiver ( Laccaria amethystea ) and Blackening waxcap ( Hygrocybe conica ) amongst others. Last year's foray produced records of over 60 species of fungi. It will be interesting to see how many we get this year, on this slightly earlier-in-the-year walk.
I was given a really interesting document recently that is a list of translations of fungi latin names. Some of the translations indicate info about the fungi such as protentosum - monstrous; coryleti - pertaining to Hazel and myrmecophilum - loved or benefited by ants. Other translations are somewhat more obscure or poetic such as rivulosa - with sinuous lines like rivers on a map; jasonis - pertaining to Jason and the golden fleece and, one of my favourites, tintinnabulum - pertaining to a little bell. Fungi are truly fascinating !
As ever with fungi if you are out on your own foray please be aware that some rare fungus species are protected by law and must not be picked or their habitat disturbed. Also worth a mention that some species of fungi are DEADLY POISONOUS. At the very least invest in a decent fieldguide. 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. The rule is if you’re not 100% sure what it is then don’t eat it. But aside from that, have fun !