Late flush of B.edulis ?

[fairplay]

Today, I managed to complete my 'fungal survey' of an SSSI near Ipswich for the current year.

What I found really surprising was the amount Boletus edulis in perfect condition growing with an extremely prolific flush of very large Amanita muscaria, all seemingly mycorrhizal with Quercus, despite much Betula being present.

To be honest, I very seldom come across B.edulis - seems everybody else finds them before I do but could somebody who sees these on a regular basis tell me if this is normal at this time of year or are they usually all gone by the beginning of October ?

Neil.

[stickman]

Hi Neil

I saw some last week - although there were not in large numbers, there were just a few fruitbodies which were, suprisingly for this time of year, immature.

Don't think I've ever seen any in November before.

Cheers,
Nick

[SheffieldLass]

It's that very hot weather we had at the end of September that got things confused, and the mild weather since. Just had a flush of stinkhorns smelling out the woods again. Most of the 'big' ones went quiet for quite some time and have just got going again, but there's been loads of 'small' stuff (the things you need a hand lens to see) around for a few weeks. Very different from last year. I really should get out into the woods again, see what is now out but there is pressing gardening needing doing during daylight hours, and I've been going out at dusk or later into the woods when it's too dark to see owt

Melanie

[FungiJohn]

Quite normal here for B. edulis Neil. We had some at Clumber last week in prime condition.

John

[fairplay]

What I really need is my own computer mapping so that all I need do is click on a species, easily see how it is distributed in Suffolk, and be able to see at what times of year it appears.
To even think of that though, I guess I need the input to start with and B.edulis records are very thin on the ground.

For several years I used to do the forays at Dunwich Heath (National Trust) concentrating on the valley separating it from RSPB Minsmere Reserve next door and never recorded Ceps once, even though there were plenty of Bay and Birch Boletes, yet next door at Minsmere, Ceps were present but in small numbers.
Both these sites were wooded Heathland but on the coast, and yesterday I went inland to Ipswich and surveyed a small surviving relic of this same heathland (The Sandlings) and was very surprised to see the amount of Ceps there (plus dog poo) and nobody seems to have spotted them - but that could just as easily say the locals know they are there, but have eaten so many that they have left the rest !

Neil.

[DanTe]

Hello fairplay..
I've also seen very few Ceps out and about in mid-east Suffolk over the years. Infact other than 1 very large and very old specimen not far from Dunwich the only place I've ever found them is next to a footpath on a friends estate further up the A140 towards Diss.
The funny thing is they only every seem to come in mid to late November in warmer late Autumns and then only once every 3 years or so, never seen them there in August, Sept or October..

I know the area you mention in the latter part of your post well and this is a very polite request and hopefully taken as such but I do feel it might be a good idea to edit the location in your post however vague it is. The area you mention seems to be out of the way for the 'lets kick it over and have a look' brigade and I'd hate to see it invaded as a result of an internet clue..
Thanks
Dan

[NickCantle]

Seems to always be plenty of B. edulis at Knettishall Neil. Is that a bit close to the border for you?

[mushruman]

Spotted at least 50 or so last Friday. Which was a complete surprise as I didn't think we would see any! also lots of A muscaria still emerging.

[NickCantle]

Scotland perchance?

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by DanTe

Hello fairplay..

I know the area you mention in the latter part of your post well and this is a very polite request and hopefully taken as such but I do feel it might be a good idea to edit the location in your post however vague it is. The area you mention seems to be out of the way for the 'lets kick it over and have a look' brigade and I'd hate to see it invaded as a result of an internet clue..
Thanks
Dan

Hello Dan,

Where have you been hiding to ? It's just that people who study fungi seriously in Suffolk are quite thin on the ground.
With at least 4 relic heathlands scattered around Ipswich, each with SSSI status, it would be highly unlikely you know where I am referring to.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by the "kick it over and have a look brigade" - do you mean 'put your foot on it brigade' or 'collect the whole lot' brigade ?

Neil.