Fascinating Fungi

Ganoderma fungus.

Saturday 24th November turned out to be a miserable day, so I decided against going down to the coast, and instead took a few hours stroll around the woodlands of Draethen (near Caerphilly). Despite the drizzle, the rain on the last of the canopy leaves made a nice sound and the air smelt nice. Besides it was nice to be out and about looking for fungi. In abundance was Ganoderma which is also known as 'artists fungus' due to it resembling an artists paint easel.

Elsewhere I found the usual Candle Snuff fungus and patches of Turkey Tail (so called because the shape of this bracket fungus resembles the tail of a Turkey). I passed several groups of Birch Polypore which as the name suggests grows along the fallen trunks of Birch. This is also a fungus that goes by the name of 'razor strop fungus', as when it matured in times gone past, barbers used to sharpen their razors on the tough flesh. Groups of grey Clouded Agaric protruded through the golden browns of the leaf litter and there was masses of Beech Jellydisc and Beech Woodwart growing together (picture below).



 Cramp Balls, aka Carbon Balls formed little lines along the trunks of Ash trees, and a group of Common Rustgills were growing close by. There was also a good number of young Ganoderma's growing on several mature Beech Trees and a nice group of Smoky Brackets were found close by. 

As I walked back towards where I had parked the car, a distant Ash tree had something of interest (fungi wise) growing from the side, so I headed towards it and was pleased to find a Spectacular Rustgill (below). This large, orange-brown fungus is covered in radial fibres. The gills become more rust coloured as the fungus ages, and this bitter tasting fungus is often reported as being hallucinogenic. As with all fungi though, unless you are 100% sure of what species it is, do not be tempted to try.

This species can be found from late summer into late autumn and even the winter if it is mild. Their distribution can be occasional to common.  This is only the second time I have found this particular species, and this ended an enjoyable albeit damp few hours.

All pictures copyright
of Neville Davies.













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