fungi / mushrooms

 so what is the difference between
               a Toadstool and a Mushroom ? 
 

Amethyst DeceiverHen of the WoodsJelly BabiesScarlet BonnetYellow Swamp
 
Absolutely nothing !  The word Toadstool is thought to have evolved from the fact that mushrooms often grow in dark damp places (where most toads like to live) and some mushrooms are shaped like a little stool ie a toad stool. Sometimes we think of the poisonous fungi as toadstools and those that are edible as mushrooms – this has probably arisen because there are some toads who emit poisonous fluids through their skin.
 
It is thought that the word Mushroom is derived from the Gallo-Roman mussiro which soon evolved into the word mussereroun in Middle English.  
 
Prior to the 1940’s the most widely available mushroom was the Italian brown, which we now know as the crimini mushroom. Mushrooms soon became very popular and more exotic mushrooms became the norm those such as shiitake, enoki, oyster, morels chanterelles and many others.
  Scarlet Bonnet
exciting "DISCOVERIES" in Monkmead Wood !
 
We were delighted  last year to find an example of the rare Scarlet Bonnet (Mycena adonis) in the Heathland Habitat of Monkmead Woods during our recent Fungi Walk. As yet no West Sussex record of this variety of fungi exists.  This rare fungi when found, grows in conifer woods and peat bogs, suggesting a preference for acidic environments. 
 
Whilst searching the mixed broadleaf woodland we also found examples of the Yellow bolete (Boletus moravicus).  Our fungi expert decided to send a sample of the fungi to Kew Gardens for final verification!  There are only 113 records of this fungi nationally but no Sussex records exist.  We're still waiting for feedback from Kew about our find but as soon as we hear any news we'll post a message here!
 

Other species we found in the woodland include:

 

      • Jelly Babies (Leotia lubrica)
      • Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum
      • Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)
      • Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa
      • Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystea)
      • The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata)
      • Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa) – poisonous liver/kidney failure
      • Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) – although poisonous rarely fatal, with hallucinogenic properties. 
      • Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) – another excellent find at the base of an old oak tree.
      • Yellow swamp (Russula claroflava) - grows in boggy ground under birch trees. It has pale ochre-yellow gills.

 * * To see the full list of the 70 different varities of Fungi found in the Wood, click here * *

 
 
 
The MONKMEAD WOOD VOLUNTEER GROUP  is a group of local friends and neighbours who meet on the third Sunday of each month to carry out light conservation work in the woodlands.
 
If you would like to find out more about the group’s work, do please visit our web site at
 
 
www.monkmeadwoods.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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