Hinton Ampner
Sun 18 Aug 2024
Calyptella capula
Photo © Dave Shute
Field event ID HF2409
OS Grid areas: Hinton Ampner
Report: On a warm and dry day, with plenty of afternoon sunshine, we searched the lawns, woods and ornamental flowerbeds of this National Trust property.
Unsurprisingly, for the time of year, ‘cap and stem’ mushrooms were in short supply apart from a good number of Marasmius rotula (Collared Parachute) on a stack of brash cuttings and a troop of Coprinellus disseminatus (Fairy Inkcap).
At the side of a path we then discovered an interesting bolete which, when a sample was cut in half, showed tiny red dots at the base of the stipe, helping to identify it as the uncommon Hortiboletus engelii.
Most of our attention turned to species growing on wood or plant debris. A nice early find was the small, white cups of Calyptella capula (Bowl Hoodie), hanging down from a plant stem. Nearby, the minute Lasiosphaeria ovina (Woolly Woodwart) was found on a piece of rotting Beech. Other species included Polyporus tuberaster (Tuberous Polypore), Schizophyllum commune (Splitgill) and Nectria cinnabarina (Coral Spot).
After lunch, we left the gardens to explore the neighbouring cow pasture. A number of species were found on cow dung, including Coprinopsis pseudonivea and the tiny orange ascomycete, Cheilymenia granulata (Cowpat Gem). On some blades of grass, we found the delicate Marasmiellus vaillantii (Goblet Parachute). Perhaps the highlight of the day was Paul’s find of a large group of Hortiboletus rubellus (Ruby Bolete) which provided a great subject for the photographers.