Fairy Ring?

2dogs2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:02 AM

I haven't really taken much notice of fungi on my travels but this one caught my eye. I am assuming that although this does not create a full circle of fungi this would be called a fairy ring. Is it possible to say which fungi (laymans terms, please) creates this?

NickCantle · #2 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:07 AM

This is indeed a fairy ring of one of the most fairy ring prone fungi that we see in Britain. This is the St. George's mushroom - Calocybe gambosa. A distinctively mealy taste and smell, but a nice addition to a meal.

Nice find,

Nick

2dogs2000 · #3 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:15 AM

Thank you Nick.
I was on a residential with primary school children when I spotted this and that is why I wanted to identify it. I love the name 'St George's mushroom', and plus it is a fairy ring which will appeal to children of this age. I will let you savour the taste as I don't like mushrooms.

NickCantle · #4 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:17 AM

I tell you what, if you're nearby and have access to them, go and pick a bit and give it a good sniff. Go on! You might not like mushrooms, but if you memorise that odour, you'll have St. George's mushrooms ID'd for life

fairplay · #5 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 07:44 AM

Just a word of caution and I'm sure Nick doesn't mind me saying this, many other fungi can form 'rings' including Clouded Agaric, Giant Funnel Cap and also the very deadly Clitocybe dealbata, which, every year regularly forms rings in the lawn of a garden I look after.

I thought I'd better mention this as primary school children were spoken of at beginning of this thread.

Neil.

NickCantle · #6 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:02 PM

That's a fair point Neil

Sorry of me to leave it out 2Dogs, but I'm still pretty sure that these are St. George's

As I said, give them a sniff

Stewy · #7 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:17 PM

Talking of fairy rings I found these a few years ago and was confident enough that they were fairy ring shrooms Marasmius oreades to scoff them, what do you lot reckon?

NickCantle · #8 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:32 PM

Well, the gills look very 'Marasmius', but this is one 'shroom that I've never seen, so I've really low knowledge on it. I'd like to know about it and perhaps find some to identify myself- I've heard they are fantastic edibles.

As for you eating them Stew, I reckon that they'll be a bit manky if you found them years ago

fairplay · #9 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:42 PM

Stewy, how come your still alive ? Those are definitely the deadly edible Marasmius oreades, for sure.

In fact these are the obvious ones I should have mentioned as growing in rings (and probably the ones Clitocybe dealbata is most likely to be mistaken for as they are about the same size and both grow in short grass)

I wasn't throwing any doubt on your correct identification Nick, you were spot on, it was just some additional information I thought I'd mention as a precaution.

Neil

NickCantle · #10 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:46 PM

I know Neil, it's alright

It's always good to mention the similarities and possibilities! Can be a dangerous business this!

Stewy · #11 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:52 PM

Cheers lads, how come you are still alive Nick, has your hip not dropped off yet?

NickCantle · #12 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 01:58 PM

Yes, I've got no hip Stew

lol, all is fine. There's just a tiny dot there now and the red surrounding is about 8mm, so it's gone down. No pain or anything- hopefully all fine.

Lone Forager · #13 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewy

Talking of fairy rings I found these a few years ago and was confident enough that they were fairy ring shrooms Marasmius oreades to scoff them, what do you lot reckon?

Hi Stewy,
You say that you were confident enough but a few years later still want to ask the question would suggest that you did take a bit of a chance back then and that it has played on your mind ever since.

Be careful mate or as they say in Italy stia attento.

2dogs2000 · #14 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

Just a word of caution and I'm sure Nick doesn't mind me saying this, many other fungi can form 'rings' including Clouded Agaric, Giant Funnel Cap and also the very deadly Clitocybe dealbata, which, every year regularly forms rings in the lawn of a garden I look after.

I thought I'd better mention this as primary school children were spoken of at beginning of this thread.

Neil.

Thank you for the word of caution. I would never tell children that some are edible as I have no knowledge of fungi, apart from the fact that some are deadly. As they say a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing and in my case it would be very little knowledge on this subject.
If in doubt, say nowt.