|
|
| Lincolnshire Species |
 |
Fungi
If you require further information please contact Ken Rowland (ken.rowland@talk21.com) at the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union.
In the following (very short) list a common name is given first, although this can vary from county to county. This is followed by its Latin name (in brackets) and this name is known world-wide. Because relatively few fungi have common names, it is worth trying to get to grips with the scientific Latin names.
| Common Morel ( Morchella esculenta ) |
 |
|
This unusual looking fungus can often be found in gardens in the Spring growing on path edges. Size up to 50mm diameter and 80-90mm high. |
| Shaggy Ink Cap ( Coprinus comatus ) |
 |
|
Usually found late summer to Autumn on disturbed ground, very often road verges and the gardens of newly built houses, where it consumes all the odd bits of wood buried by the builders. About 50mm in diameter, up to 300mm high. |
| Smooth Ink Cap ( Coprinus atramentarius ) |
 |
|
Grows on buried wood, and normally to be found at the side of woodland paths and old tree stumps again late Spring to Autumn, very often in large groups. Size about 50-60mm diameter and 50mm high. |
| Fairy Ring Fungus ( Marasmius oreades ) |
 |
|
You will have seen Fairy Rings in lawns and grass fields. This is the culprit. It is feeding on the old grass roots and converting it back into usable nutrients for the grass, hence the darker green ring of lush grass just after the area of fruiting bodies. This can be seen any time from Spring onward. |
| Dryad's Saddle ( Polyporus squamosus ) |
 |
|
Looking like a plate attached to the trunk; Ash trees are this fungi's favourite food. This is one of the parasitic funguses and any tree attacked will be doomed, although it may take a few years. In the end the tree will die and be consumed and then returned for further use by other plants or trees. Very often grows in tiers of as many as 8 or 9 brackets size up to the size of a dinner plate. |
| Cramp Balls / King Alfred's Cakes ( Daldinia concentrica ) |
 |
|
Also on Ash, this fungus lives on dead and dying material and is therefore what we term a saprophyte. It gets one of its names from the belief that if you keep one of these in your pocket you will never suffer from cramp! Size anything up to 75 mm. |
| The Fly Agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) |
 |
|
An Autumn fungus normally found in this area. It is associated with Birch but will also be found with conifers. This is a fungus that has a symbiotic relationship with the tree it grows with; that is it wraps its mycelium roots around the roots of its host and takes sugars from it but in return it provides minerals to the tree so a mutual benefit to both partners. Size averages up to 200mm in diameter and 300mm high. Its English name comes from the fact that in years gone by it was crushed with milk and used as a fly killer. |
| The Blusher ( Amanita rubescens ) |
 |
|
Another Autumn fungus, but this time always with conifers. It is very much loved by squirrels. It blushes pink when damaged, but be warned just because animals like them does not mean that they are safe for humans to eat, and this applies to all fungi. similar to Fly Agaric in diameter but only 120mm high. |
| Tar Spot ( Rhytisma acerinum ) |
 |
|
This is a fungus which most people don't even realise is a fungus! It is very interesting as it has a two-stage life cycle. During the summer and autumn it shows as these black patches on the leaves of Sycamore. The leaves fall and the following spring these patches germinate as a cup fungus the spores of which float up in the air currents to re-infect the new season's leaf buds. The origin of the English name is obvious when you see it! |
| Hoof or Tinder Fungus ( Fomes fomentarius ) |
 |
|
This fungus actually does look like a horse's hoof! The perennial brackets are found mainly on Birch, living on old dead trunks. One unusual feature is that if the tree falls, the fungus will start to grow a new bracket, as the underneath spore-bearing surface must be at right angles to the ground. |
| Jews Ear Fungus ( Hirneola auricula-judae ) |
 |
|
Any old dead Elder trees could, if you look closely, have some of this jelly fungus. Its common name comes from the fact the Judas is supposed to have hanged himself from an Elder tree. |
| Earth Star ( Geastrum striatum ) |
 |
|
You are very fortunate if you find one of these; they are quite rare but are very striking. They are members of the Puffball family. They prefer a sandy soil and tend to grow under or near Hawthorn bushes. We have found ten of the family in Lincolnshire. |
|
