A couple of unidentified from Brede High Woods

[Mike Jackson]

First one, looked all the way through Roger Phillips and can't see anything like it. Taken on 12th November, no distinctive smell weather very wet previous day so may be washed out. Growing on pathway amongst Oaks and Birch scrub on acid soil.



Next one, similar area, again no distinctive smell, felt slimy to the touch. Speckling possibly from rain splashing on soil.



P.S. not bothered about edibility or hallucinogenic properties of either

[fairplay]

Hi Mike,

I don't have a clue as to your first one, but as soon as I saw your second with those hints of 'green' in the cap, Pholiota gummosa came immediately to mind.
The slime feel to the cap is right too as it is sticky to the touch, and was probably attached to buried wood.

Neil.

[Mike Jackson]

Cheers Neil, the description in Roger Phillips ties in with it. One down one to go. Hopefully someone will recognise it.

Mike

[mollisia]

Hello,

the first one looks very much like Pholiota astragalina, but I know that species only from coniferous wood in (sub-)montaneous elevation. So I doubt, but it looks so similar .....

best regards,
Andreas

[Mike Jackson]

Thanks Andreas. There are coniferous areas near where I found the mushroom so it's possible that it's growing on a buried pine stump. There's been so much rain since I saw it there's probably not a hope of seeing it again this year. I'll make a note of the location and check again next year and take a sample.

Mike

[fairplay]

Mike,

If there is anything left of this fungus, please could you take it home and dry it in an airing cupboard. Kew would be very interested in looking at this.

There are only 8 records on the FRDBI with only 2 old records (18?? and 1927) from Scotland having material to support the claims, the rest are classed as 'dubious', so there are no authenticated records for England.

Neil.

[mollisia]

Hello,

if it would be Pholiota astragalina, then it should blackening on drying.

best regards,
Andreas

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Mike,

If there is anything left of this fungus, please could you take it home and dry it in an airing cupboard. Kew would be very interested in looking at this.

There are only 8 records on the FRDBI with only 2 old records (18?? and 1927) from Scotland having material to support the claims, the rest are classed as 'dubious', so there are no authenticated records for England.

Neil.

I'll head back over that way this weekend and see if I can find anything left. I don't have an airing cupboard, will my newly acquired dehydrator be too severe?

Mike

[fairplay]

Hi Mike,

If it looks like a sieve, that is the same thing as the BMS use, so sounds perfect.

Neil.