An Enchanted Place

On day 150 of 365 Days Wild I wandered down to the meadow for a fungi hunt.

My main intention on leaving the house, was to identify the brown toadstools that I spotted, but failed to identify, on day 149. I think I might have managed to do so. In the same area of the meadow there were also a number of grey toadstoois that I believe to be Stubble Rosegill (Volvopluteus gloiocephalus).

I now believe that the brown ones are simply later stages of the Stubble Rosegills’ lifespan.

Once I started looking for toadstools I managed to actually spot several new ones around and about. Near to the Stubble Rosegill, growing beneath the young birch trees, I spotted these orange funnel shaped fungi. I’m pretty certain that they’re a type of Milkcap (of the genus Lactarius), possibly Woolly Milkcap (Lactarius torminosus).

Only a short distance away I spotted another few largish toadstools. These, I think, belong to the genus Clitocybeae, and are possibly Brownits (Clitocybe brunneocephala).

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Beneath the nearby young Sweet Chestnut tree there was a circle of smaller toadstools. I’ve spotted similar fungus to these before, though I continue to struggle to settle on an identification. Fairy Ring toadstools (Marasmius oreades) have a similar appearance, but their gills tend to be paler. I’m currently back to thinking that these might be Poisonpie (Hebeloma crustuliniforme), as the gills on this species not only turn brown with age but are also marked by dark spots from a brown, watery substance that is exuded in damp weather – as can (possibly) be seen on these.

The highlight of my fungi hunt occurred as I crossed back over the meadow to leave. These tiny white protuberances caught my eye. I think that these might be Fairy Fingers (Clavaria fragilis).

That’s all for today. Have you spotted any fungi recently?