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, Amanita junquillea, Amanita muscaria var. muscaria, Amanita phalloides, Amanita rubescens var. rubescens, Bjerkandera fumosa, Bolbitius titubans, Boletus badius, Boletus chrysenteron, Boletus edulis, Boletus luridus var. luridus, Calocera viscosa, Chlorophyllum rhacodes, Clavaria acuta, Clavulinopsis helvola, Clitocybe phyllophila, Clitopilus prunulus, Coprinellus disseminatus, Coprinus comatus, Crepidotus applanatus var. applanatus, Cyathus striatus, Echinoderma jacobi, Entoloma rhodopolium, Entoloma sinuatum, Geastrum fimbriatum, Geastrum pectinatum, Geastrum triplex, Gomphidius roseus, Gymnopilus junonius, Gymnopilus penetrans, Helvella crispa, Heterobasidion annosum, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare, Inocybe asterospora, Inocybe flocculosa, Inocybe geophylla var. geophylla, Inocybe sindonia, Laccaria laccata, Lactarius acerrimus, Lactarius aurantiacus, Lactarius circellatus, Lactarius controversus, Lactarius deterrimus, Lactarius hepaticus, Lactarius quieticolor, Lactarius tabidus, Leccinum cyaneobasileucum, Lepiota cristata, Leratiomyces ceres, Leucocoprinus brebissonii, Lycoperdon perlatum, Lyophyllum decastes, Marasmius rotula, Marasmius wynneae, Melanoleuca polioleuca, Mycena acicula, Mycena aetites, Mycena capillaripes, Mycena galopus var. galopus, Mycena pura, Mycena rosea, Paxillus involutus, Peziza, Pholiota gummosa, Pluteus cervinus, Pluteus romellii, Rickenella fibula, Russula caerulea, Russula graveolens, Russula nitida, Russula parazurea, Russula praetervisa, Russula sanguinaria, Russula sardonia, Russula velenovskyi, Russula versicolor, Scleroderma areolatum, Scleroderma citrinum, Scleroderma verrucosum, Stereum hirsutum, Suillus bovinus, Suillus grevillei, Suillus luteus, Tapinella atrotomentosa, Trametes versicolor, Tricholoma fulvum, Tricholoma ustale
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.