Fungus Foray

Now is the time to go fungus hunting in your local woods. Do you find them attractive or repulsive? They are essential decomposers and turn fallen leaves and logs into rich mould.


Once regards as plants, fungi are neither animals nor plants. Think about it - they have no roots, leaves, flowers or seeds.










It takes a real expert to identify them and to know which are safe to eat. I just haven't got a clue!

 

Hi Hornbeam, a little while ago i watched a program called river cottage,and they showed these enomous mushrooms in a field,they were about 2 ft across,i think they were a puffball?

 

see the slugs are enjoying themselves
good pics H

 

Brilliant photgraphs ! I have 'vague' memories of eating puff balls when I was younger but really cannot remember the taste at all. I too saw the River Cottage programme (one of my favourates).

I wish I knew enough about them to go collecting for supper, but one mistake and your are pushing up the daisies LOL!.

 

Seem to remeber reading that if all of the spores in a single giant puffball were to grow, they would cover the entire surface of the earth.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffball

 

River Cottage is one of my favs too! Check out this link http://www.rivercottage.net/index.jsp

I understand that although there are many, many more fungi in the world than plant life there are far, far fewer mycologists than botanists. Interesting that... seems to me that the study of mycology would indeed be a wonderful experience!

Great pics Hornbeam!

Kind regards
Roy

 

What fantastic pictures.

I too am a fan of river cottage and found that link briliant.
A couple of weeks ago on Sky, they ran the entire three series back to back, but it ran overnight. I was able to tape all of the first series, but only half of the second. I can't wait until they do it again so I can get them all.

I am also going to buy the river cottage book for his recipes.

I have never seen a puffball. Is it a south thing or has anybody seen them in the north. If so where so I can go and have a look.

 

Two more from the forest floor:

 

Some more weird fungi...

"Curiouser and curiouser" said Alice




Looks like a marine sponge


Think this is Ink Cap.


The "ink" can be seen dripping down.


Looks tasty, but I'd never risk eating anything that I wasn't 100% sure of.

 

Here is my favourite: BOLETUS EDULIS.


It grows every 5-6 years for one week

 

Fantastic shots Hormbeam and mirafloris!

I only recognize a champignon when I see it in the veggie department of the supermarket. I have some friends who go out every year to collect wild-growing mushrooms, all (edible) sorts, my friend's husband swears that he really knows what's what. But .........

 

Some really lovely pics Hornbeam an Miraflores! They all look good enough to eat but I know theyre prob not :eek:

I bought hubby a book on funghi last year but we still havent been able to be sure enough to swallow them!!

 

Hi Marge,
as a matter of fact the BOLETUS EDULIS is not only very edible, but one of the most appreciated mushrooms of the Italian cuisine.
I just had some of them fried when I was on holiday in Italy in august, and to my taste they are delicious. You can also preserve them in olive oil or dried.

 

Sounds yummy!

Hubby has just this minute walked through the door with a giant puffball!!! Im off to the recipe section to check out the recipe I saw a while ago

 

Love 'em or loathe 'em? This morning's colourful fungus foray just gets weirder and weirder. I can't name them, but can still enjoy their endless variety...







These have little pimples on like hairy golf balls




Such a strong sulphur yellow!


Some are enormous


Millions of fungal spores are released from the gills on the underside.