Hilliers Garden Fungus Walks and Exhibition
Sat 14 Oct 2023
Agaricus macrosporus
Photo © Dave Shute
Field event ID HF2320
OS Grid areas: SU3723
Report: Four guided public forays took place over the weekend and all were fully-subscribed with 25 attendees on each.
There was an HFRG display at the centre, which included a few specimens collected from the grounds the preceding day. These included Amanita phalloides (Deathcap), Geastrum triplex and G. fimbriatum (Collared and Sessile Earthstars), Sparassis crispa (Cauliflower Fungus), Amanita junquillea (Jewelled Amanita) and Gomphidius roseus (Rosy Spike).
Each walk set off in a different direction to maximise the variety of fungi on offer. The lawns produced some interesting species including an impressive troop of Entoloma sinuatum (Livid Pinkgill), Pholiota gummosa (Sticky Scalycap), Lactarius circellatus (Hornbeam Milkcap) and Lactarius acerrimus (Two-spored Milkcap). There were also some huge dinner plate-sized Agaricus macrosporus (Macro Mushroom) and a fine display of Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric).
Around the pinetum we found Amanita rubescens (Blusher), Russula sanguinaria (Bloody Brittlegill), Clitopilus prunulus (The Miller), Bolbitius titubans (Yellow Fieldcap) and Tricholoma ustale (Burnt Knight)
Under some poplars there was Lactarius controversus (BlushIng Milkcap) and the tiny Mycena acicula (Orange Bonnet).
Other productive areas were the flowerbeds where the wood mulch and chippings provided excellent conditions for fungi. Here, our groups discovered Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol) Macrocystidia cucumis (Cucumber Cap), Coprinellus disseminatus (Fairy Inkcap), Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird’s Nest), Helvella crispa (White Saddle) and two cup fungi, Tarzetta cupularis (Toothed Cup) and Peziza badiofusca.
A third earthstar species, Geastrum pectinatum (Beaked Earthstar), was then found in some quantity under a pine along with probable Lepiota ignivolvata (Red-girdled Dapperling).
All-in-all the visitors seemed both entertained and educated!
Species recorded: Amanita excelsa var. spissa (Grey Spotted Amanita), Amanita junquillea (Jewelled Amanita), Amanita muscaria var. muscaria (Fly Agaric), Amanita phalloides (Deathcap), Amanita rubescens var. rubescens (Blusher), Bjerkandera fumosa (Big Smoky Bracket), Bolbitius titubans, Boletus badius (Bay Bolete), Boletus chrysenteron (Red Cracking Bolete), Boletus edulis (Cep), Boletus luridus var. luridus (Lurid Bolete), Calocera viscosa (Yellow Stagshorn), Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Shaggy Parasol), Clavaria acuta (Pointed Club), Clavulinopsis helvola (Yellow Club), Clitocybe phyllophila (Frosty Funnel), Clitopilus prunulus (The Miller), Coprinellus disseminatus (Fairy Inkcap), Coprinus comatus (Shaggy Inkcap), Cortinarius collocandoides, Crepidotus applanatus var. applanatus (Flat Oysterling), Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird's Nest), Echinoderma jacobi, Entoloma rhodopolium (Wood Pinkgill), Entoloma sinuatum (Livid Pinkgill), Ganoderma australe s. str., Geastrum fimbriatum (Sessile Earthstar), Geastrum pectinatum (Beaked Earthstar), Geastrum triplex (Collared Earthstar), Gomphidius roseus (Rosy Spike), Gymnopilus junonius (Spectacular Rustgill), Gymnopilus penetrans (Common Rustgill), Helvella crispa (White Saddle), Heterobasidion annosum (Root Rot), Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca (False Chanterelle), Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft), Inocybe asterospora (Star Fibrecap), Inocybe flocculosa (Fleecy Fibrecap), Inocybe geophylla var. geophylla (White Fibrecap), Inocybe sindonia (Beige Fibrecap), Laccaria laccata (Deceiver), Lactarius acerrimus (Two-spored Milkcap), Lactarius aurantiacus (Orange Milkcap), Lactarius circellatus, Lactarius controversus (Blushing Milkcap), Lactarius deterrimus (False Saffron Milkcap), Lactarius hepaticus (Liver Milkcap), Lactarius quieticolor (Carrot Milkcap), Lactarius semisanguifluus, Lactarius tabidus (Birch Milkcap), Leccinum cyaneobasileucum (Greyshank Bolete), Lepiota cristata (Stinking Dapperling), Leratiomyces ceres (Redlead Roundhead), Leucocoprinus brebissonii (Skullcap Dapperling), Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball), Lyophyllum decastes (Clustered Domecap), Marasmius rotula (Collared Parachute), Marasmius wynneae (Pearly Parachute), Melanoleuca polioleuca (Common Cavalier), Mycena acicula (Orange Bonnet), Mycena aetites (Drab Bonnet), Mycena capillaripes (Pinkedge Bonnet), Mycena galopus var. galopus (Milking Bonnet), Mycena pura (Lilac Bonnet), Mycena rosea (Rosy Bonnet), Paxillus involutus (Brown Rollrim), Pholiota gummosa (Sticky Scalycap), Pluteus cervinus (Deer Shield), Pluteus romellii (Goldleaf Shield), Rickenella fibula (Orange Mosscap), Russula caerulea (Humpback Brittlegill), Russula graveolens, Russula nitida (Purple Swamp Brittlegill), Russula parazurea (Powdery Brittlegill), Russula praetervisa, Russula sanguinaria (Bloody Brittlegill), Russula sardonia (Primrose Brittlegill), Russula velenovskyi (Coral Brittlegill), Russula versicolor (Variable Brittlegill), Scleroderma areolatum (Leopard Earthball), Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball), Scleroderma verrucosum (Scaly Earthball), Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Curtain Crust), Suillus bovinus (Bovine Bolete), Suillus grevillei (Larch Bolete), Suillus luteus (Slippery Jack), Tapinella atrotomentosa (Velvet Rollrim), Trametes versicolor (Turkeytail), Tricholoma fulvum
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.