Trent Park Fungi

[Morchella]

Shortish walk in Trent Park this afternoon, there was one part of the wood with lots of fungi popping up.

This one I think from the large volva and lack of veil remnants could be Amanita virosa?








Helvella crispa found hiding amongst some nettles



and a very big stinkhorn (5cm across) about to erupt



Laura

[flaxton]

Laura
I think your first is likely to be Amanita citrina var alba but your next two are correct.

Mal

[NickCantle]

A good way to distinguish between A. citrina and A. virosa is by examining the bottom of the stipe.

In Amanita species such as A. rubescens and A. muscaria, a 'basal bulb' is evident. The basal bulb is the bulbous mass at the bottom of the stipe that is wholly attached.

However, in species such as A. virosa and A. phalloides, you can find a sac/volva as you'll know which is detached and is usually quite saggy. You can without any massive difficulty, remove the stipe from within the 'bag' and separate the two whereas with a basal bulb, you would have to snap the stipe in order to separate the two.

The point I'm making, is that in this species, A. citrina, the join between the base and the stipe is somewhere between the two examples above. The stipe is attached to the base, but there's a slight lip, giving the impression (before further examination) that it's a volva.

Hope that makes sense and I'm not rambling!

Nick

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

The stipe is attached to the base, but there's a slight lip, giving the impression (before further examination) that it's a volva.

All species of Amanita have a volva, which is a remnant of the universal veil. But the point you are making is valid, Nick. The differences in the type of volva are important characters in separating the species.

Ken

[Morchella]

Thanks both, I took one home so have the chance to examine the bulb at the base. It is very solid and even has a slug living in it!

Will remember this for next time. Did see an ordinary citrina just up the path as well.

Laura

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Ken Burgess

All species of Amanita have a volva, which is a remnant of the universal veil. But the point you are making is valid, Nick. The differences in the type of volva are important characters in separating the species.

Ken

I was supposed to say sac-like volva! Promise

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I was supposed to say sac-like volva! Promise

I never doubted it. Just clarifying for anyone else looking at the thread.

Ken