Hampshire Fungal News
Leucocoprinus griseofloccosus ©Sue Rogerson
DNA discovery
On 3 November 2019, Sue Rogerson found a small white fungus largely hidden in a rotten Douglas Fir log. Initially, the specimen keyed out to Leucoagaricus cygneus, which was only known in Britain from two previous records, from opposite ends of the British Isles. This ID was worth investigating further.
Eric Janke has been using the Bento Lab for DNA extraction and liaising with Aberystwyth University for sequencing. DNA was successfully extracted from Sue’s specimen and the resulting sequence matched a previous reliable sequence of Leucoagaricus griseofloccosus.
A more detailed description of this discovery and its significance is written up in Field Mycology. Sep 2022
Mailing list change
The group mailing list has moved to a new home which will give increased flexibility whilst maintaining the look and feel of the old system. Mar 2020
Hyphoderma multicystidium ©Alan Lucas
New British Species
Alan Lucas has confirmation from Kew that they agree with his find of Hyphoderma multicystidium from Round Hill before Christmas. This is yet another addition for his book The Resupinates of Hampshire produced with his co-author Paul Hugill. Jan 2017
Odonticium romellii ©Alan Lucas
Three more Hampshire Firsts in Jan
During January the first English record of Odonticium romellii was found by Alan Lucas near Fritham and subsequently confirmed by Kew. The few other UK records of this species are all in Scotland. Fritham then went on to produce the second UK record of Tubulicrinis chaetophorus and the first Hampshire record of Globulicium hiemale. Another rare Tubulicrinis - T accedens was also found at Fritham and was the first time it was recorded by the group. Looking no further than her back garden Sue Rogerson found the first VC11 record for Lindtneria leucobryophila. Feb 2014
Fomitiporia hippophaëicola ©Stuart Skeates
Great start to 2014
What a great way to start the New Year with a first Hampshire record for Fomitiporia hippophaëicola previously known as Phellinus hippophaëicola. This was identified by Phil Budd and found by Mark Jackson who was alerted by the host plant Sea Buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) which is the only recorded host for this species in the UK. Feb 2014
Laxitextum bicolor ©Sue Rogerson
Laxitextum bicolor
Like buses infrequent finds often seem to come in pairs. During the recent BMS foray in Huntingdonshire the stereum lookalike Laxitextum bicolor turned up. What a surprise then for it to appear in Hampshire the very next day when Sue Rogerson found it at Hollybank. Nov 2013
Foraying with Eric ©Sue Howe
Exhibition 2013
This year's exhibition is off to a good start with over 150 fungi to be seen on dispaly and great fun for young and old alike on the forays. Meridian TV's Simon Parkin came down to film the display for the weather run in. Nov 2013
Young microscopist ©Stuart Skeates
UK Fungus Day
The first ever UK Fungus Day is to be held this year over the weekend of the 13th October. To mark this occasion the group's foray at the Rufus Stone will be a public foray to explore the Fungi of the New Forest. In addition from the 31st Oct to the 3rd Nov there will be an exhibition and forays at the Reptile House near Lyndhurst. See the panel on the right. Aug 2013
Boletus satanas ©Stuart Skeates
The Devil is about
At last, following a hot summer with very few fungi, one or two of the summer boletes have been appearing and at Leckford this fine example of Boletus Satanas (Devil's Bolete) was in evidence. During the summer JNCC published their first ever fungal Red Data List . The publication focused on a specific group of Boletes (Boletaceae) including the Devil's Bolete. Aug 2013
Ctenophora flaveolata ©Paul Hugill
When fungi are scarce...
Marlborough Deeps was not at it's mycological best and the photographers in the group looked to other subjects. The two Pauls were very happy to photograph a striking insect subsequently identified by Dick Vane-Wright from the NHM as the crane fly Ctenophora flaveolata . Further photos can be seen on Paul Smith's website. Apr 2012
Callistosporium pinicola ©Paul Hugill
New British record confirmed
Way back in Novermber 2010 on a foray in Rushpole wood Alan Lucas found a fungus he hadn't seen before and after much puzzling Paul Hugill put the photographs on the ABFG forum where Andreas Gminder suggested it was Callistosporium pinicola a species he had seen in Germany. After consulting a publication by Eef Arnolds this seemed likely, and now Kew has accepted this record and it will go in the next version of the British Checklist. Great work Alan. Apr 2012
Coprinopsis martinii ©Dave Kelly
New Inkcap for South Hants
Although considered the quiet time of the year it is surprising how often new species turn up. Dave Kelly sent the group photographs of an inkcap he had found after suggestions on WAB that this may be an unusual species. Stuart examined the dried specimens and came to the conclusion this was Coprinopsis martinii a view supported by Derek Schafer. This is the first record for South Hampshire with one previous record in North Hampshire. Mar 2012
Poronia punctata ©Sue Howe
Poronia punctata report
Hampshire Wildlife Trust has just published a report of a survey conducted in 2010-11 to assess the occurrence of Poronia punctata, the Nail Fungus, in the New Forest. Compared to the survey conducted in the same way in 2003-04 there was an increase in the number of sightings which is good news as the New Forest a global stronghold for the species. Download (8MB) Mar 2011
Caloscypha fulgens ©Sue Rogerson
Caloscypha fulgens outbreak
2011 is the spring for Caloscypha fulgens it seems. Apart from Alan Lucas reporting finding it at two sites in the Forest, Leif Goodwin has found it in North Hampshire, a new ViceCounty record. The tally does not stop there because according to Kew there have been three new county firsts for Sussex, Surrey and Kent and maybe another occurence in Huntingdonshire. With its striking orange interior and blue external surface it is clearly visible amongst the green background of the mossy habitat it favours. Mar 2011
©Stuart Skeates
Slime monster
Following a report from Mary Parker about possible 'large slime mould' growing on the end of a branch near East Meon Paul Hugill and myself visited the site on different days. The 'slime' is known as a slime-flux which was suggested by Tony Mundell when he forwarded Mary's email to me. A slime-flux is sap undergoing fermentation by a mixture of bacteria and fungi. A similar record in 2006 ,known as The Tyntesfield Monster, puzzled Kew until its identity was established and reported in some detail in Field Mycology Oct 2006 7(4) p128-131 by Alick Henrici, Joyce Andrews and John Bailey. Mar 2011
Multiclavula vernalis ©Paul Hugill
Multiclavula vernalis returns
There was considerable excitement last year when Multiclavula vernalis was first found near Hawley Lake by Keith Blackmore and reached the national press. Its appearance has been reported again this year by Mike Waterman and Paul Hugill. It is a lichenised fungus growing with algae on the soil. Mar 2011
Book: Photographing fungi
Paul Hugill has now given away the secrets of his photography skills in a recently published book entitled 'How to photograph Fungi'. It is available from Blurb one of the growing online print on demand websites. Mar 2010
Book: Field guide
New Book: HFRG members Barry Hughes and Paul Sterry have written the new edition of Collins 'Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools'. Oct 2009
Hericium erinaceus ©Stuart Skeates
Bearded Tooth spreads North
Hericium erinaceus (The Bearded Tooth) has been found at a new Hampshire location in VC12 by Sue Hiley at Kempshott near Basingstoke. Do keep a look out on beech trees for this rare striking fungus, looking as it does like a mop head. Oct 2009
Guidance from the BMS and Home Office on picking psilocin containing fungi is now on the document page. Apr 2006