The Woodlands of Allestree Park provide rich hunting for fungi of all kinds, especially in the autumn. However, fungi are present all the year round, most as branching networks of threads called mycelia, permeating the soil, leaf litter and dead wood, breaking down the organic compounds within them and absorbing the minerals and sugars so produced, together with water.
At certain times of the year which, in most species, is autumn, the specialised spore-bearing structures (known variously as 'toadstools', 'mushrooms', 'brackets', etc.) appear above ground.
Many fungi form a close association with the roots of trees - called a mycorrhiza. In this way the tree provides the fungus with a reliable supply of sugars. In return, the tree gains the benefits of the fungus's greater capacity for taking up water and minerals due to the large surface area of mycelium when compared to that of the tree roots on their own.
Some fungi, notably that scourge of the forester, the honey fungus and many bracket fungi, invade the living wood and trees and are complete parasites, eventually causing their death.
The spore-bearing structures are immensley varied - most incredibly beautiful - according to the different species.
A word of warning: Although many fungi make good eating, several species are poisonous, a few deadly. On no account should you try eating a particular fungus unless you are absolutely certain that it is safe to eat. If in any doubt, just look and admire!
Here are photos of a small selection of the species of fungi which can be found in the various woods of Allestree Park, taken by Bill Grange over the last few years:
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The Blusher, Amanita rubescens One of the many microrhizal fungi - found on the woodland floor |
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Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellea Found at the base of trees. One of the few fungi which kills trees, in fact this species is probably the forester's chief enemy! |
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Honey Fungus Armillaria melea
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Jellydisc, Ascoryne cyclichnium Found on damp logs |
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Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae Found on dead twigs and branches, especially of Elder
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Lesser Stag's-horn Fungus, Calocera cornea Found on logs
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Stag's-horn fungus, Calocera viscosa Found on logs, especially those of coniferous trees
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Grey Coral Fungus, Clavulina cinera Found on the woodland floor |
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Glistening Ink-cap, Coprinus micaceus Found on the woodland floor |
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Fairy's Bonnet, Coprinus disseminatus Found on the stumps of various trees |
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King Alfred's Cakes, Daldinia concentrica Found on dead wood, especially that of ash trees |
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Beef-steak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica Found at the base of oak and sweet chestnut trees - upon which it is a parasite |
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Horse's Hoof Fungus Fomes fomentarius
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Birch Bracket, Piptoporus betulinus Only found on the trunks of birch trees. This is another parasite whih eventually kills its host. It is the reason why birches rarely exceed 50 years in age.
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Hairy Curtain Crust, Stereum hirsutum Found on dead twigs and logs
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The Deceiver, Laccara Laccata Found on the woodland floor |
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Wood Blewit, Lepista nuda (young specimens) Found on the woodland floor |
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Wood Blewit, Lepista nuda (mature specimen)
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Ochre Brittle-gill or Yellow Russula Russula ochroleuca Found on the woodland floor
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A species of brittle-stem fungus Psathyrella sp. Found on the woodland floor |
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Porcelain Fungus Oudemansiella mucida Found on the dead branches and logs of beech trees |
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Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus Found on the woodland floor, as early as late summer. The cap is at first covered with an evil-smelling brown slime containing the spores. This attracts blow-flies, mistaking it for rotting flesh - an 'ingenious' method of spore dispersal. In this specimen the slime has been completely removed, reveaing a honecomb-like structure |
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Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria Found on the woodland floor near to birch trees, with which it forms a microrrhizal association |
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Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasiculare Found on tree stumps |
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Clustered Bonnet Mycena inclinata Found on stumps of oak trees |
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Clustered Bonnet Mycena inclinata More Mature specimens than above |
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Scaly Earth Ball Scleroderma verrucosa Found on woodland floor, especially on the sandy soil of Big Wood |
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Verdigris Agaric Stropharia aeruginosa Found on rotting wood, including wood chippings |
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Candle-snuff Fungus Xylaria hypoxylon Found on stumps and fallen branches |
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Dead Man's Fingers Xylaria polymorpha Found on tree stumps, usually those of beech |