Gateshead Birders

Fungi

Photographs of species in Gateshead

Dog Stinkhorn [Mutinus caninus]

Clara Vale 31st July 2004.

This species is quite rare in County Durham, (12 records) and described as occasional nationally. Stinkhorns have slender stipes (stalks) with heads that are covered with smelly gleba (spore mass).

[Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

White Spindles Fungi [Clavaria fragilis]

Found 5th June 2004

Located in the same field as the Adderstongue. Its a nationally uncommon fungus, rare in Gateshead and the north east generally. Clavaria fragilis [or Clavaria vermicularis ], a member of the Fairy clubs family. Only one other record for Gateshead was in 1985. 3 records for Durham. Indicator species for unimproved grassland.

[Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

Earth Star (Geastrum pectinatum)

September 2003

Earth Star (Geastrum pectinatum) noted. Quite scarce nationally and rare in this region. The colony is getting smaller.

[Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

Dancing Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)

Closeup

Blaydon

November 2004

Also know as Hen-of-the -woods or Maitake. This species usually grows at the base of a trunk of mainly Oak and other deciduous trees. Has been seen growing on tree stumps. It can grow to exremely large clumps, a large specimen can provide a feast as it is a ghood edible species.

[Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

Shibdon

February 2009

This small puffball is found under trees amongst the leaf-litter and is about2-6cm in diameter. The fruit-body is roughly pear-shaped with a short stalk. When young it is creamy white inside and out, and can be eaten at this stage. The interior becomes yellow, then brown with age as the spores ripen; these are then released through a small pore opening in the top. The exterior is covered in minute clusters of loose cells, appearing as little pimples, but these wear off, or are washed off in heavy rain.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Meadow Puffball (Vascellum pratense)

Shibdon

September 2009

A widespread and very common puffball of all types of short grassland from garden lawns and golf courses to heaths, downs and grazed pasture.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Common Inkcap (Lycoperdon perlatum)

Shibdon

May 2009

Noted at Shibdon Pond on 14th May 2009 and in April 2010

Pink Waxcap (Hygrocybe calyptriformis)

Blaydon

November 2004

This is now a rare species in Britain. Its main habitats include lawns, grassy meadows, pastures and woodland margins. It has been recorded from both limestone grassland and acidic grassland. Fruiting bodies, which are seldom abundant, generally appear between August and October. They have attractive pointed caps 5-7 cm tall and a white or pinkish stem up to 10 cm tall. Being a conspicuous species, it is thought that it may be better recorded than other waxcap fungi.

[Photo: Jim Kennedy]

Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea)

Shibdon

October 2005

This colourful waxcap is a large and handsome but declining species indicative of old unfertilised pastures grassland and acidic grassland. Fruiting in September and October, but can be well into the winter if it is mild.

[Photo: Paul Davidson]

Golden Waxcap (Hygrocybe chlorophana)

Blaydon

November 2004

A Small delicate species found in grassland and often occuring in large numbers. All parts are a waxy golden-orange, it occurs September to December and is edible. The cap is usually wet and sticky.

[Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata)

Far Pasture

October 2005

Height up to 8cm

A very variable fungus looking quite different when wet compared to when it was dry. Found among leaf litter in deciduous and coniferous woodlands, JulyOctober. Widespread and common. Cap usually orange-brown and irregularly rounded. Gills pinkish buff and stem twisted, fibrous and concolorous with cap.

[Photo: Stephen Wales ]

Fly-Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Derwent Walk

October 2005

It is a very common mushroom in conifer areas all throughout the northern hemisphere. The colour is highly variable, from bright red (A. muscaria var. muscaria), to orange to yellow (A. muscaria var. formosa) to white (A. muscaria var. alba), but there are always white patches on the cap. They can grow to be quite large, up to a foot high with caps as big as diner plates. It's called the fly agaric because in some regions little pieces of the mushroom are placed in milk to attract flies. The flies become inebriated and crash into walls and die. Besides the brightly coloured and large fruiting bodies, there is substantial interest in this mushroom because it is poisonous and hallucinogenic. Most fruiting bodies contain two toxins, ibotenic acid and muscimol. Ingestion of these toxins results in "expanded perception," talking to God, macropsia (perceiving objects as enlarged), rapid heartbeat, dry mouth. They are hallucinogenic and psychoactive, acting on the nervous system - you've been warned.

This was part of a group of ten on the bank-side of the Derwent Walk.

[Photo: Alan Mould ]

Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)

Shibdon

January 2009

Hypholoma fasciculare, commonly known as the Sulphur Tuft, Sulfur Tuft or Clustered Woodlover, is a common woodland mushroom, often in evidence when hardly any other mushrooms are to be found. This small gill fungus grows prolifically in large clumps on stumps, dead roots or rotting trunks of broadleaved trees. ically in large clumps on stumps, dead roots or rotting trunks of broadleaved trees.dead roots or rotting trunks of broadleaved trees.The hemispherical cap can reach 6 cm (2⅓ in) diameter. It is smooth and sulphur yellow with an orange-brown centre and whitish margin. The crowded gills are initially yellow but darken to a distinctive green colour as the blackish spores develop on the yellow flesh. It has a purple brown spore print The stipe is up to 10 cm (4 in) tall and 1 cm (⅓ in) wide, light yellow, orange-brown below, often with an indistinct ring zone coloured dark by the spores. The taste is very bitter, though not bitter when cooked, but still poisonous.Symptoms may be delayed for 5-10 hours after consumption, after which time there may be diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, proteinuria and collapse. Paralysis and impaired vision have been recorded. Symptoms generally resolve over a few days. The autopsy of one fatality revealed fulminant hepatitis reminiscent of amatoxin poisoning, along with involvement of kidneys and myocardium. The mushroom was consumed in a dish with other species so the death cannot be attributed to sulfur tuft with certainty

[Photo: George Simpson]

Russet Tough-Shank (Gymnopus dryophilus)

Shibdon

January & September 2009

This little mushroom, listed in some field guides as Collybia dryophila, is the weed of the fungi world being very common, everywhere and all times of the year. Its distinguishing features include its greasy, tawny or tan cap; its attached, crowded, white gills; the absence of a partial veil; and its white spore print.

Alsso known as Wood Toughshank

[Photo: George Simpson]

Willow Bracket Fungi (Phellinus igniarius)

Shibdon

January 2009

This inedible fungi is not uncommon but rather infrequent in the UK. As its English name suggests it prefers willow trees.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Beefsteak Fungi (Fistulina hepatica )

Shibdon

February 2009

This is a distinctive edible fungus which can be found in the forests of Europe and the United States. In some parts of Europe, beefsteak fungus is available for sale in markets and restaurants. This highly unusual mushroom resembles meat in texture and color, and is sometimes used by vegetarians as a meat course.

The beefsteak fungus can grow to a width of 12 inches (30 centimeters) on the trunks of hardwood trees such as oak. In color, it is red to brown on top with a pale white underside, with distinctive pores that can be seen with a hand lens. In some parts of the world, beefsteak fungus can be found growing on lawns or at the base of trees in clustered groups. The shape of the fungus is vaguely fanlike, although it can also resemble a large tongue.

The best time of year to find the fungus is in the late autumn when rain has encouraged the mushrooms to start sprouting. Older mushrooms tend to have a more woody texture and flavour, so you should aim to collect moderately sized specimens with an even color and no slimy or soft spots. Insects favor the pores of beefsteak fungus, and it can be soaked in salt water before use if this is a concern.

When cut, the beefsteak fungus exudes a red fluid which resembles blood. The soft streaky flesh reminds many consumers of liver or other rich meats, and it has a slightly tannic, slightly sour flavor. Beefsteak fungus can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of preparations, and takes well to marination. In Europe, the flavor is very popular and sought after, although some people dislike the sour flavor, which can be intense if the mushroom is not prepared with care.

Soaking beefsteak fungus in water will help to eliminate the tannic and sour flavours, which can be further mitigated if the mushroom is boiled. One of the most common preparations for beefsteak fungus is thin raw slices to dress salads. The slices will add color and texture, as well as a slightly unusual flavour. Beefsteak fungus can also be sauteed or grilled, or coated in a herb crust and fried. Like other mushrooms, beefsteak fungus will keep best in a paper bag under refrigeration.

Variable-coloured Bracket Fungi (Trametes versicolor)

Shibdon

January & September 2009

A very common bracket fungi known as Turkey Tail in the U.S.A and Many-zoned Polypore in the UK and as its english and latin names suggest comes in a variaty of colours. . The top surface of the cap shows typical concentric zones of different colours. Flesh 1-3 mm thick, leathery texture. Cap with rust-brown or darker brown, sometimes blackish zones, Older specimens, such as the one pictured at right, can have zones green algae growing on them, thus appearing green. Commonly grows in tiled layers. Cap flat, up to 8 x 5 x 0,5-1 centimeters, often triangular or round, with zones of fine hairs. Pore surface whitish to light brown, pores round and with age twisted and labyrinthine. 2-5 pores per millimeter

[Photo: George Simpson]

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes)

Shibdon

January 2009

Occuring in deciduous woodland - especially on dead elm trees, the Velvet Shank is one of the few fungi which grows in winter. In America its called by mushroom-pickers the 'At-least-something-is-out-in-January Mushroom'. he stem is dark brown to black, and distinctly velvety to the touch (hence the name). There is no ring on the stem.
This fungi is edible, although it could be easily confused with similar looking species species. It is popular in the east and in Japan they are cultivated commercially and are known as 'Enoko-take'.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Winter Polypore (Polyporus brumalis)

Shibdon

January 2009

[Photo: George Simpson]

Jew's-Ear Fungi (Auricularia auricula-judae)

Shibdon

January 2009

A common species, frequently found on elder and beech trees.

The name comes from the story that Judas Iscariot hung himself from an elder tree, and this type of fungi is often found growing on elder trees.

It is pale brown in colour, and really does resemble a human ear in both size, shape and texture. As it gets older it goes black and hard.

It is one of the few fungi which has the ability to withstand freezing temperatures. This is a useful attribute, since it develops new growths in January, which is normally the coldest month of the year in Britain. It can actually freeze solid, and when thawed out shows no ill effects. It is edible but tasteless.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Jelly-Leaf (Tremella-foliacea)

Shibdon

February 2009

Usually found solitary on downed hardwood logs and branches; fruiting from mid to late winter. It is edible but lacks flavour, sometimes used in soups.

[Photo: George Simpson]

Unidentified Fungi