Omphalotus Olivascens in the UK?

[fro-in-shorts]

On my frequent walks in the woods near where I live in south wales I have come across clumps of what I percieved to be immature Cantharellus Cibarius, all fairly small and just out of their button stage. The intreaging thing about these clumps is that they are growing at the foot of beach and oak trunks/stumps tucked right in and growing on the moss/dirt layer over the wood/roots. They arent growing straight out of the wood itself, but are so close to it that I have written them off as not being something I want to consume. Is the "Jack O'lantern" Omphalotus Olivascens indigenous to the UK? Images I have seen on the internet vary immensely in appearence and at the button stage appear to be very similar to cantharellus cibarus.

Obviously little can be said without photo's (will try to get some this evening)

[cowshill]

Hello fro-in-shorts.

Sorry, but I can't add any illumination to your question. However, as you are a new member, let me point out that you should be sure to read the sticky post fungus-edible-psychotic-requests in this forum. While your post may not be in violation of the policy, it's skating near the edge.

Other than that, welcome to the Fungi Forum; it's a fascinating place to hang out.

- Jim

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by fro-in-shorts

. . . . Is the "Jack O'lantern" Omphalotus Olivascens indigenous to the UK? Images I have seen on the internet vary immensely in appearence and at the button stage appear to be very similar to cantharellus cibarus.

Obviously little can be said without photo's (will try to get some this evening)

In answer to your question - 'no'. Omphalotus olivascens is a Californian species; perhaps you meant Omphalotus olearius - is O. olearius native to the UK? Again the answer is 'no' - it's a Mediterranean species restricted to decayed wood of Olea europaea (olive).

The only British Omphalotus species is O. illudens which (allegedly) glows very faintly if it is very dark and your eyes are accustomed (etc. - I'm tempted to add 'and if you have a vivid imagination').

O. illudens is classed as 'Near Threatened (Red Data List, ed. 2)' and should not be picked or disturbed in any way

I hope that answers your question

cheers

Chris

PS "Images . . . . on the internet vary immensely in appearence" indeed they do - not infrequently because they are wrongly named