Fantastic Fungi
As you wander through the woods you will have seen fungi on the ground, on fallen branches and rotting stumps. Their fascinating shapes and colours have given rise to all sorts of stories and beliefs. Most of us can summon a picture of a gnome sitting on a red toadstool with white spots- the very poisonous Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria). That fairy ring in the grass, so called because long ago it was believed to be where the little people danced, is actually the site of the mycelium – a bit like roots- of Scotch Bonnet mushrooms (Marasmius oreades). The curving seat shaped brackets you’ve seen on beech or sycamore is Dryads Saddle (Polyporus squamosus). The small, hard black lumps, most often found on fallen birch are commonly known as King Alfred’s cakes (Daldinia concentrica).
What can we do with fungi?
Eat them- some, but not all fungi can be food. We usually think of the field mushroom as a food; it graces many a fried breakfast and makes a lovely soup but many other funguses can be eaten. The blue veins in some cheeses are a fungus. Quorn, often used in place of meat is a fungus. Our bread rises because we use yeast, a fungus, to help it do so. The first clinical antibiotic, penicillin, is a fungus. Only experts should take fungi from the wild to eat; it’s easy to make a mistake!
Make things from them- we’re coming close to being able to use the shaped mycelium of fungi to replace polystyrene as a packing material and for some building repairs.
Want to have some fun with fungi? Try these activities.
Go on a Fungus Safari
Take a spotting guide, a magnifying glass, a camera or a sketch book. Make a note of what is growing where- look up, what trees are growing above the fungi. What are the fungi growing on? As well as looking at the colours, touch the fungus- how does it feel? What does it smell like? These are import clues to working out what fungus you have found. Don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re finished and before eating anything.
Make a spore print
This is often the only way to tell similar species of fungus apart. Start off using some mushrooms from the shops. Choose ones that haven’t fully opened- these will still have spores inside them. Carefully remove the stem then place the mushroom top up and gills down onto a piece of paper and cover with a glass or cup. Leave overnight. In the morning carefully lift the mushroom to find your spore print. Can you find the same spore print in a fungus guide? Spores are to fungi what seeds are to plants. Don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re finished and before eating anything.
Grow a mould garden
Take a clean, empty jar. Place in it a bit of bread and a couple of bits of fruit. Close the top of the jar with some cling film and an elastic band. Leave this somewhere warm and check each day to see what happens. We'd love to see your results in our comments section.
Remember: don’t eat fungus you’ve found in the woods or elsewhere – it may not be what you think it is!
Remember: wash your hands thoroughly after handling fungi! Avoid accidental eating!
The header photo is candle snuff fungi, xylaria hypoxylon.