Greyfield Wood, 25 September 2024

Above: Yellow Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa) © Helena Crouch

Leader: Alan Rayner

Seven members met on a fine autumnal morning for a fungal foray in Greyfield Wood near High Littleton. As Alan gave an introduction, we were joined by a passing local naturalist! Setting off, we found two common species, Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor) and Scaly Earthball (Scleroderma verrucosum) before we reached the wood.

Greyfield Wood is owned by the Woodland Trust and lies on the Upper Coal Measures: there are thus areas of acidic soils which, together with a variety of different tree species provide plenty of variation in habitat for fungi. Just inside the gate we found several Weeping Widows (Lacrymaria lacrymabunda), which cry black tears from their gills. Some bright Yellow Clubs (Clavulinopsis helvola) were spotted. These have undivided clubs: later we found Crested Coral (Clavulina coralloides) with flattened stems ending in much-branched tips.

A group of tiny toadstools on a twig were identified by Alan as Collared Parachutes (Marasmius rotula). These have gills which are united in a collar around the stem. Further along the path, we found Twig Parachutes (Marasmiellus ramealis).

We soon found the first of several Russula species, the Ochre Brittlegill (Russula ochloleuca). This was the commonest Brittlegill, but during the day we also found Purple Brittlegill (R. atropurpurea), the Blackening Brittlegill (R. nigricans), Geranium Brittlegill (R. fellea) which smelled of stewed apples, Pelargonium Brittlegill (R. pelargonia), smelling strongly of Geraniums, a single Beechwood Sickener (R. nobilis) tasting of chillies and Fragile Brittlegill (R. fragilis) with toothed gills.

Continuing further into the wood, we found some strikingly colourful fungi: Yellow Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa), a jelly fungus, unrelated to the Yellow Clubs seen earlier; bright silky White Fibrecaps (Inocybe geophylla); a tall violet Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) and a soft pink and brown Blusher (Amanita rubescens). Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) was growing on a stump, whilst Beech Tarcrust (Biscogniauxia nummularia), an ascomycete, formed thin black layers like tar on a fallen log.

Beside the path, we admired a group of Stinkhorns (Phallus impudicus), in all stages of development. Alan sliced an “egg” to reveal the developing fruit body within. On a nearby stump covered with Swan’s-neck Thyme-moss (Mnium hornum) was a group of Common Bonnets (Mycena galericulata), one of the larger species of Mycena.

We proceeded to find several other small brown toadstools: The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata), Russet Toughshank (Gymnopus dryophila), a whole troupe of wavy-edged, deeply funnelled Sinuous Chanterelles (Pseudocraterellus undulatus), some Clustered Toughshanks (Gymnopus confluens) and a Webcap (Cortinarius sp.). Throughout the wood we saw several spectacular arrays of Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

On a decaying log, little white flat caps with no stalks were identified as Peeling Oysterling (Crepidotus mollis). On another log, we found a strange resupinate fungus with a broken maze appearance: a Split Porecrust (Schizopora paradoxa). By the path we saw Glistening Inkcaps (Coprinellus micaceus), although their mica-like flecks had largely washed off in recent heavy rain.

We also found Clustered Bonnet (Mycena inclinata) on an oak stump. On a conifer stump, Alan showed us Root Rot (Heterobasidion annosum), a virulent pathogen of conifers, causing damage to plantation trees. As thoughts turned to a lunch stop, Jean made the exciting discovery of several Parasitic Boletes (Pseudoboletus parasiticus) growing on Common Earthballs (Scleroderma citrinum). This was found here on a foray led by Helena’s father twenty years previously (with 51 participants!) and seen on a BNHS foray here in 2019.

We had lunch sitting on benches in a glade by the main path: fortunately, the rain held off. Refreshed, we searched for the Scarlet Berry Truffle (Paurocotylis pila) found here on forays led by Alan in 2017 and 2019: sadly none were found this year. Heading back to the main ride, we found a Brown Rollrim (Paxillus involutus), a distinctive common fungus with the cap margin inrolled and gills which bruise a dark brown. On logs of Goat Willow (Salix caprea) we found Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa), the underside of which turns red when bruised.

It was raining as we reached the car park, but we kept dry under trees so decided to continue a little longer, along a path leading southeast. We were rewarded with several new species, including Deer Shield (Pluteus cervinus), with a brown cap and pink gills which are free from the stem; Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) and Stump Puffball (L. pyriforme); and black blobs on a Hazel stick, the Hazel Woodwart (Hypoxylon fuscum). Our best find of the day though, spotted by Paul, was a small patch of Urchin Earthfan (Thelephora penicillata), a spectacular tuft of spiky radiating purplish-brown branches, each ending in divided white tips. Most of us had never seen this before! It was a grand finale to a very productive and interesting meeting.

Helena Crouch