Fungi ID Needed!

[NickCantle]

Hello friends, pals, chums... and ...beastie creatures (All the people that keep finding Chicken of the Woods)

I need help! With a fungi ID silly

Found in the ground







Sandy-ish soil. No distinctive smell- just a bit 'shroomy.

Upon first thoughts, with the pinkish gills and the distinctive umbo (seen more obviously in the older specimen in the second photograph) I was heading towards Entoloma, then when I looked at the shape of the cap and the gills again, I was swayed more towards Pluteus...THEN when I found out the specimen had a Volva, I was stumped...Volva and no ring = Vaginatoid...

That's where I need help- with both genus and species. I'm rubbish, I know, but you lot wait until I get that Microscope

All help, comments (albeit sarcy) and suggestions appreciated,

Nick

[shroomboy]

Volvariella murinella, very good find Nick.

Andy

[NickCantle]

Oooh Volvariella, should have guessed that one Andy! Thanks for the ID, i'll have to do some research into this species Not a common one?

Nick

[shroomboy]

According to the checklist, rarely recorded though widespread, only 59 records for GB and Ire, so I would say pretty rare. I've never seen it. It's probably worth sending to Kew.


Andy

[NickCantle]

How interesting. I'll try and go back to collect the specimen. Cheers Andy mate, watch this space

[FungiJohn]

Excellent find Nick Well worth sending to Kew ... providing they look at my Lime tree avenue species first
John

[NickCantle]

As good a find as this might be, it's typical that I found it on Friday nearer to my Dad's house. I shan't have time to revisit this area until monday week...so I'm going to have to hope that there are some there, though there were lots, so we can hope!

[fairplay]

Well done Nick,

You may be interested to know that the area around Santon Downham is quite a hot spot for Volvariella species.

3 miles away at Brandon Country Park they have recorded :
V. bombycina - 2000, Chris Rolph
V. caesiotincta - 1998, Chris Rolph
V. gloiocephala - 1959+, Oliver Rackham
V. surrecta - 2001, Jonathan Revett
V. taylori - 1998, Kerry Robinson

and I've a feeling since these records were compiled they may very well have found V. murinella also, if not, get your backside to Brandon pronto and add it to their list, and claim your free choc ice.

Neil.

[NickCantle]

Can I trade that choc-ice for a Chicken of the Woods? Santon Downham is absolutely excellent for lots- Boletes, omphalina/rickinella/arrhenia, Oysters etc

My fave spot, a few of my patches are up there

[Leif]

Nice find. I once saw one at Madingley, near Cambridge a long long time ago.