posted 11 May 2012 15:24 by Scottish Fungi
At last an umbrella shaped fungus of the month with a stipe, cap and gills! This is a white-spored species that fruits twice, once in April and May and then again from August onwards through the usual fruiting period until the frosts stop play. Given that it often appears when very little else is fruiting, it is one of the most common large toadstool during the spring. Visit the species profile page for more info and please submit your record to us or your local fungus group. Something for the Clyde and Argyll Fungus Group to look out for on their foray this weekend perhaps! |
posted 13 Apr 2012 14:54 by Scottish Fungi
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updated 13 Apr 2012 16:00 by Dave Genney
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April's Fungus of the Month is the brain-like False Morel ( Gyromitra esculenta). There have already been a few sightings across Scotland this year, but I bet you didn't know there's a link between rockets and this poisonous spring fungus! Have a look at the full species profile to find out more. |
posted 1 Apr 2012 04:03 by Scottish Fungi
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updated 2 Apr 2012 01:05 by Dave Genney
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Relatively little is known about the fungi of the Outer Hebrides and many of the records have been generated by specialists on short visits to the islands, particularly to St Kilda. The most comprehensive work is a summary of the collections over a thirty year period by RWG Dennis (Fungi of the Hebrides, 1986).
A new project to record the fungi began in 2010 and lichens in 2011 and so far over 150 species of fungi and 29 lichens have been photographed and identified. The two major types of habitat on the island are grassland and peat moorland/sphagnum bog. There are two conifer plantations; otherwise, the only significant area of woodland is within the grounds of Stornoway Castle. The fungal flora is therefore somewhat specialised and I now find myself paying considerable attention to micro fungi, especially on dung. (To put the number of species into perspective’ they could be achieved in a day or two in rich habitat on the mainland). Focus does pay dividends as several rarely recorded species have been identified including the tiny but brightly coloured disc fungus Cheilymenia theleboloides (third Scottish record).
As a novice, particularly living in a remote area, I have greatly appreciated the support of fellow mycologists on various on-line forums and the expert tuition received from Liz Holden and more recently Roy Watling.
The records (including photographs) from this project are presented on the following website – do have a look – constructive comments always welcome. http://www.hebridensis.co.uk/Fungi/Fungi.php Chris Johnson, March 2012 |
posted 18 Mar 2012 11:19 by Scottish Fungi
Our Fungus of the Month this March is a beautiful and distinct ascomycete that forms black cups, usually on fallen, mossy conifer wood or needle litter. Definitely one to look out for while walking the dog in your local plantation! Have a look at the full Species Profile for more information and, as usual, we'd love to receive your records here to pass on to the Fungus Records Database of Britain and Ireland (FRDBI). If you already pass your records on to the FRDBI, we'd still be keen to hear about them (just so we know these FoM posts are useful to folk) - just click the box that tells us you don't want us to pass the records on. |
posted 2 Mar 2012 14:36 by Scottish Fungi
Big congratulations today to Scottish Fungi contributor Professor Roy Watling MBE, who took home the RSPB Outstanding Contribution to Nature Award for a lifetime of inspiring and educating the public, conservation organisations and policy makers about the importance of fungi". We are all very proud! |
posted 9 Feb 2012 12:59 by Dave Genney
We've got a bonus fungus to look out for this month from the Highland Biological Recording Group. Holly Speckle ( Trochila ilicina) is a fungus that only grows on dead (brown) leaves of Holly. Its appearance varies depending on the state of maturity, but it is easily recognised from the distinct fine (<1mm diameter) dark speckling on the upper side of the leaf only. Visit the HBRG 'TRY' page to download a full profile for the fungus and please let either Scottish Fungi or HBRG know about your finds (we'll pass the records to each other and to the Fungus Record Database for Britain and Ireland). There are two other species of Trochila in Scotland - Trochila laurocerasi, which is found on Cherry Laurel, and Trochila craterium, found on Ivy. |
posted 7 Feb 2012 14:12 by Scottish Fungi
If you enjoyed getting to know one of Scotland's resupinate fungi with the Scarlet Splash (December Fungus of the Month), here's another common resupinate for you to look out for in February. Cylindrobasidium laeve doesn't have an English name, but is quite common, growing mainly on the deadwood of deciduous trees. Only 75 of the 907 records on the Fungal Record Database of Britain and Ireland are from Scotland. There must be more out there, so take a look at the full species profile , get hunting, and then let us all know about your finds by submiting your records here! |
posted 13 Jan 2012 13:02 by Scottish Fungi
Do you have a patch of old hazel or alder growing near you? If so, you might want to check it out for another distinctive fungus Encoelia furfuracea that is rarely recorded in Scotland. Can we also find out if alder is an overlooked host for this species – see the recent finds on Speyside mentioned in the Species Profile! Remember to submit your records! |
posted 12 Dec 2011 14:37 by Scottish Fungi
December's Fungus of the Month has quite a festive look about it (with some imagination!). Scarlet Spash, or Cytidia salicina, uses willow branches to support its scarlet fruiting structure. Once again, mycologist Liz Holden has written a fascinating profile for Scottish Fungi with a challenge to get out in the snow and find some new records. So, if you have a patch of old willow near you and are luck enough to find this distinctive fungus, please submit your records! |
posted 17 Nov 2011 13:43 by Scottish Fungi
Well, there's no doubt we've had the first frosts, so this month's focus for recording is Hygrophorus hypothejus - aptly named 'Herald of Winter'. Look out for an olive brownish cap with a darker centre and a glutinous surface texture under conifers. Lots more information on it's Species Profile page and remember to let us know if you find it! |
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