Cornish Blusher??

[Steve Wurzel]

Perhaps another contender for a slightly earlier bloomer than usual (June - July) if it is an Amanita rubescens Blusher..

This one comes from Cotehele in Cornwall which I photographed earlier today, 12th May. The wee maggots seemed to be enjoying the base of this one and it looked a slug had eaten it's nearby partner and had started on this one.


Features which all confirm Amanita rubescens in my guides..

Red bruising where there is larvae damage.
Ring
Smell non-distinct
Cap 80mm dia with small scales
Stem bulbous at base but no volva sack
Gills white
Growing on a rough lawn area




I suspect a white spore print will be produced, but nothing showing yet.

Any other contenders?

[NickCantle]

Blimey, a May Blusher! This is insane!!! It does certainly look to be a Blusher Steve

[flaxton]

In the absence of some of our more experienced contributors yes definitely rubescens

Mal

[NickCantle]

You are one of those people Mal

[flaxton]

(Yorkshire blusher)

Thanks Nick

[fairplay]

I find The Blusher is always the first of the Amanita's to show, but May does seem quite early.

Does anybody else agree Blusher is first to pop up ?

In the west or up north, other Amanita's could possibly regularly show before The Blusher does.

I've seen Fly Agaric in January, but that doesn't really count as it's late.

Neil.

[flaxton]

Neil
Around here it is often Amanita fulva that appears first but very soon after it is rubescens. I would not normally expect to see either until June though

Mal

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by fairplay

I find The Blusher is always the first of the Amanita's to show, but May does seem quite early.

Does anybody else agree Blusher is first to pop up ?

In the west or up north, other Amanita's could possibly regularly show before The Blusher does.

I've seen Fly Agaric in January, but that doesn't really count as it's late.

Neil.

These Jewelled Amanita - Amanita gemmata appeared on the 13th April 2008



John

[Steve Wurzel]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Blimey, a May Blusher! This is insane!!! It does certainly look to be a Blusher Steve

Thanks all.. white spore print cofirmed if that helps?? (the black is felt tip marker to provide a backgound for the white spores) Obviously consistant with Amanita rubescens




Will everbody's field guides now have to have notations, updating the seasons for these early bloomers?

[NickCantle]

FIELD GUIDE UPDATED! Still, it might be early, but I'd be happy to find it

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by flaxton

Neil
Around here it is often Amanita fulva that appears first but very soon after it is rubescens. I would not normally expect to see either until June though

Mal

I find that too- Amanita fulva and Amanita phalloides were out here in July last year. Didn't find too many Blushers in '07 actually, unlike '06 in which Thetford was caked in them

[fairplay]

Thanks for the feed back, biggest surprise is Johns find of A. gemmata in April.

I'm really going to have to learn how to put all my records on a database - at the moment they (dating back about 20 years !) are all on scraps of paper, in small note books, in my diary, and even written under the photo's in an old copy of Roger Phillips's book. Oh whoa is me

Neil.

[NickCantle]

Well Neil, the closer the Autumn gets and the more you post on here, the more I want to join your group When I get back, we'll have to go t'pub somewhere and discuss what to do in Autumn The beer is on me Unless you're a wine fan, in which case you can feed your own habit. I jest Anyways, a meeting is inevitable in my mind.

[fairplay]

Adnam's bitter or, if I'm in Norfolk, Woodforde's Wherry is my tipple Nick, but my max is only 2 pints, so I come cheap.

Just hope our tiny group survives the Autumn, Michael (Jordon) said he would try to boost our numbers, but have not heard any more. I can't see what else he can do for us though.

Neil.

[NickCantle]

Well if you're struggling for numbers, i'll certainly attend some forays. If you don't survive, you'll have to rekindle the Norfolk group

Good tipple, by the way, I'll gladly buy you a pint!