Exbury
Sat 25 Nov 2023
Aleuria aurantia
Photo © Dave Shute
Field event ID HF2325
OS Grid areas: SU4200
Report: This survey followed the first hard frost of the autumn but despite the cold it was a fine and sunny day.
Some of the grassland fungi were frost-nipped but the first lawn investigated produced a fine display of Clitocybe geotropa (Trooping Funnel), Paralepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel) and Cuphophyllus virgineus (Snowy Waxcap). In the border of some nearby rhododendron bushes there were many Lepista nuda (Wood Blewit) and some Clavulina cinerea (Grey Coral).
On to a shrubby area, where we soon found Clavaria flavipes (Straw Club), Psilocybe cyanescens (Blueleg Brownie) and both Helvella crispa and H. lacunosa (White and Elfin Saddle). An emerging Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) caused some head-scratching at first but soon two mature fruit-bodies were found close by.
In an area of fallen pines, there was plenty of Gymnopilus penetrans (Common Rustgill) and a small patch of the bright orange, merulioid resupinate, Leucogyrophona mollusca.
After an early lunch on the lawn, our guide, Linda, led us to a children’s play area where there was a variety of fallen logs laid on a bed of woodchip. The pine logs produced Stereum sanguinolentum (Bleeding Conifer Crust) and the uncommon Gloiophyllum sepiarium (Conifer Mazegill) whilst the broadleaf wood had Schizophyllum commune (Splitgill) and Lenzites betularum (Birch Mazegill). In the woodchip there was a mass of Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird’s Nest), some Tubaria furfuracea (Scurfy Twiglet), Leratiomyces ceres (Redlead Roundhead) and a patch of the beautiful Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Fungus).
We then headed back across the lawns, noting Hygrocybe coccinea (Scarlet Waxcap) and the scarce Lepista panaeolus (Spotted Blewit).
As usual, the lawns in front of the grand Exbury House were awash with waxcaps, though many were affected by the frost. The large Hygrocybe punicea (Crimson Waxcap) dominated but there was also Gliophorus irrigatus (Slimy), G. psittacinus (Parrot) and Hygrocybe conica (Blackening). Other species present included Clavaria fumosa (Smoky Spindles), C. acuta (Pointed Club), Clavulinopsis corniculata (Meadow Coral) and Lycoperdon utriforme (Mosaic Puffball).
A final sweep of the flowerbeds added Sparassis crispa (Cauliflower Fungus) and Tricholoma terreum (Grey Knight).
Thanks, as always, to Linda and Juliet for guiding us round.
Species recorded: Agaricus langei (Scaly Wood Mushroom), Aleuria aurantia (Orange Peel Fungus), Amanita junquillea (Jewelled Amanita), Amanita muscaria, Ampulloclitocybe clavipes (Club Foot), Armillaria mellea (Honey Fungus), Bjerkandera adusta (Smoky Bracket), Calocera cornea (Small Stagshorn), Clavaria flavipes (Straw Club), Clavaria fumosa (Smoky Spindles), Clavulina cinerea (Grey Coral), Clavulinopsis corniculata (Meadow Coral), Clavulinopsis helvola (Yellow Club), Clitocybe nebularis (Clouded Funnel), Coniophora puteana (Wet Rot), Coprinellus micaceus (Glistening Inkcap), Crepidotus mollis (Peeling Oysterling), Cuphophyllus pratensis var. pratensis (Meadow Waxcap), Cuphophyllus virgineus var. virgineus (Snowy Waxcap), Cyathus striatus (Fluted Bird's Nest), Geoglossum cookeanum, Geoglossum umbratile (Plain Earthtongue), Gliophorus irrigatus (Slimy Waxcap), Gliophorus psittacinus (Parrot Waxcap), Gloeophyllum sepiarium (Conifer Mazegill), Gymnopilus penetrans (Common Rustgill), Helvella lacunosa (Elfin Saddle), Hygrocybe coccinea (Scarlet Waxcap), Hygrocybe conica (Blackening Waxcap), Hygrocybe punicea (Crimson Waxcap), Hypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft), Infundibulicybe geotropa (Trooping Funnel), Inocybe cincinnata, Inocybe glabrescens, Inocybe xanthomelas, Laccaria amethystina (Amethyst Deceiver), Laccaria laccata (Deceiver), Lactarius blennius (Beech Milkcap), Lactarius quietus (Oakbug Milkcap), Lepiota subincarnata (Fatal Dapperling), Lepista nuda (Wood Blewit), Lepista panaeolus (Spotted Blewit), Lepista saeva (Field Blewit), Leratiomyces ceres (Redlead Roundhead), Leucogyrophana mollusca, Lycoperdon nigrescens (Dusky Puffball), Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball), Lycoperdon pratense (Meadow Puffball), Lycoperdon utriforme (Mosaic Puffball), Macrocystidia cucumis (Cucumber Cap), Macrolepiota procera, Melanoleuca cognata var. cognata (Spring Cavalier), Melanoleuca grammopodia (Grooved Cavalier), Mycena arcangeliana (Angel's Bonnet), Mycena rosea (Rosy Bonnet), Paralepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel), Paxillus involutus (Brown Rollrim), Peziza badiofusca, Phlebia radiata (Wrinkled Crust), Pholiota aurivella (Golden Scalycap), Psathyrella piluliformis (Common Stump Brittlestem), Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral), Rhodocollybia butyracea (Butter Cap), Russula nigricans (Blackening Brittlegill), Russula ochroleuca (Ochre Brittlegill), Schizophyllum commune (Splitgill), Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball), Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower), Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Curtain Crust), Stereum sanguinolentum (Bleeding Conifer Crust), Trametes betulina (Birch Mazegill), Trametes gibbosa (Lumpy Bracket), Trametes versicolor (Turkeytail), Tricholoma batschii, Tricholoma terreum (Grey Knight), Tricholoma ustale (Burnt Knight), Tubaria furfuracea (Scurfy Twiglet), Volvariella gloiocephala (Stubble Rosegill), Xylaria hypoxylon (Candlesnuff Fungus)
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.