Exbury
Sun 13 Nov 2022
Agaricus urinascens
Photo © Dave Shute
Field event ID HF2220
OS Grid areas: SU4200
Report: The annual visit to this site was, as usual, full of interesting discoveries and we thank Linda and Juliet for accompanying the group and leading us to some of them.
Early finds including Fluted Bird’s Nest (Cyathus striatus), Scaly Wood Mushroom (Agaricus langei), Oak Tooth Crust (Radulomyces molaris) and some large dapperlings, lurking under shrubs, which were Orange-girdled Dapperling (Lepiota ignivolvata)
The bizarre Scarlet Caterpillarclub (Cordyceps militaris) was also discovered. The fruit-body of this species emerges from a moth pupa buried under the soil, the spores having been ingested by the caterpillar. A rather gruesome but fascinating life history.
Under a large cedar we found a plethora of Hare’s-foot Inkcaps (Coprinopsis lagopus) and what appeared to be oversized False Chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), but were later identified from samples taken, as the much rarer Amethyst Chanterelle (Cantharellus amethysteus). The cup fungus, Peziza micropus, was also found under this tree. Nearby, an area of pines produced the rare bonnet, Mycena seynii, whose mauve-capped fruit-bodies emerge from the cones and under some bushes there were three spikes of Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus).
Moving on to the open lawns, we started to find some waxcaps, including the stunning Scarlet (Hygrocybe coccinea) and Golden (H. chlorophana). There were also numerous Earthy Powdercap (Cystoderma amianthinum) and a few Pink Domecap (Calocybe carnea), whilst in a nearby flowerbed a single Wrinkled Fieldcap (Agrocybe rivulosa) was found.
After a break for lunch, we continued to explore the grassland and the mulched flowerbeds. The former provided us with the impressive Macro Mushroom (Agaricus urinascens), Crazed Cap (Dermoloma cuneifolium), Mosaic Puffball (Lycoperdon utriforme), Blue Edge Pinkgill (Entoloma serrulatum) and the very rare Amanita inopinata but, sadly, it was passed its best. In the latter, we found some pristine spikes of Stubble Rosegill (Volvariella gloiocephala), Redlead Roundhead (Leratiomyces ceres) and an interesting inkcap which was later identified as Coprinopsis krieglsteineri.
We then walked to the lawn in front of the manor house where we found more waxcaps, including Crimson (Hygrocybe punicea), Meadow (H. pratensis), Snowy (H. virginea) and Spangle (H. insipida), along with Smoky Spindles (Clavaria fumosa).
Finally, we were shown two huge examples of Wood Cauliflower (Sparassis crispa).
Species recorded: Agaricus langei, Agrocybe rivulosa, Basidioradulum radula, Byssomerulius corium, Cantharellus amethysteus, Clavaria fumosa, Clavulinopsis fusiformis, Clavulinopsis helvola, Clavulinopsis laeticolor, Coprinopsis krieglsteineri, Crepidotus variabilis, Dermoloma cuneifolium, Entoloma serrulatum, Geoglossum cookeanum, Geoglossum umbratile, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe coccinea, Hygrocybe insipida, Hygrocybe punicea, Inocybe sindonia, Laccaria fraterna, Lepiota ignivolvata, Lepiota subincarnata, Macrolepiota mastoidea, Marasmius oreades, Mycena amicta, Mycena arcangeliana, Mycena filopes, Mycena vitilis, Peziza micropus, Resupinatus, Russula praetervisa, Tubaria conspersa
A full species list with further details can be seen at the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland (FRDBI). Please contact us if you need a user ID.