Whitley Wood
Sun 12 Oct 2008
Field event ID HF0821
OS Grid areas: SU2905 SU3005
Report: (Eric Janke) The attendance was limited by the BMS Overseas foray but those that did attend had a rewarding wander through the woods on a beautiful, sunny autumn day. Thanks should go to Sara, who braved rare tropical illness briefly to give us directions and set us on the right track. The shortage of eyes and Alan's wood-turning skills kept a lid on the numbers of species recorded, but there were some interesting finds and photo opportunities:
Eric and Sue found a striking specimen of Pleurotus dryadeus during their pre-foray ramble and managed to lead the party back to it as the final photo opportunity of the day. Tina (or was it Chris) found a "cauliflower" on a fallen beech, which on examination turned out to be Tremella foliacea , rather than the much rarer Sparassis spathulata (fka laminosa). Nearby was a large Orange peel (Aleuria aurantia), with its mesh-covered spores ("look at the reticulation on that!"). Although there were a considerable number of Cortinarius in evidence, only a limited number could be named: paleaceus (by its pelargonium smell, although this is now thought to be flexipes var flabellus) and anthracinus (by its appearance, later confirmed by Adrian). The cameras also came out for a standing birch covered in numerous fruiting bodies of the razor-strop fungus (Piptoporus betulinus). Among the rarities (although we do keep finding it) were two distinct collections of the shockingly pink Aleurodiscus wakefieldii, with large spiny spores and horn-like basidia.
In summary, a delightful ramble enhanced for some by the anticipated pleasure afforded by a large box full of specimens to identify back home!
Species list: Aleuria aurantia, Aleurodiscus wakefieldiae, Amanita citrina, Amanita rubescens, Armillaria mellea, Bulgaria inquinans, Cantharellus cibarius, Chlorociboria aeruginascens, Clavulina coralloides, Clitocybe nebularis, Conocybe pubescens, Coprinellus micaceus, Cortinarius anthracinus, Cortinarius bolaris, Cortinarius flexipes var. flabellus, Cortinarius hemitrichus, Crepidotus applanatus, Crepidotus variabilis, Daedalea quercina, Entoloma conferendum, Fistulina hepatica, Ganoderma australe, Gymnopilus junonius, Gymnopus dryophilus, Hydnum repandum, Hydropus floccipes, Hypholoma fasciculare, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Laccaria amethystina, Laccaria laccata, Lactarius azonites, Lactarius tabidus, Leccinum scabrum, Lycoperdon perlatum, Macrolepiota procera, Marasmius epiphyllus, Mycena arcangeliana, Mycena galericulata, Mycena inclinata, Mycena polygramma, Mycena pura, Neobulgaria pura, Oudemansiella mucida, Paxillus involutus, Pholiota squarrosa, Piptoporus betulinus, Pleurotus dryinus, Pluteus cervinus, Podoscypha multizonata, Rhodocollybia butyracea, Rickenella fibula, Russula atropurpurea, Russula atropurpurea, Russula cyanoxantha, Russula heterophylla, Russula ochroleuca, Schizopora paradoxa, Scutellinia scutellata, Stereum hirsutum, Stereum subtomentosum, Tremella foliacea, Tremella mesenterica, Tricholoma fulvum, Tricholoma sciodes, Tricholoma ustale, Tubaria furfuracea, Typhula quisquiliaris, Xerula radicata, Xylaria hypoxylon, Xylaria polymorpha