A good time to look for Ascomycetes

[FungiJohn]

Hi fungi hunters

Now is a good time to look for Ascomycetes.

Ascomycetes (spore shooters) are fungi which produce their spores inside special, cells or sacs known as 'asci', hence its name. As the spores mature within an ascus, increasing fluid pressure builds up inside until eventually the top bursts open, releasing the spores. In some species the spores may be ejected some 3 or 4 feet away.

Typical Ascomycetes include:

Bonfire / burnt ground associated fungi i.e Rhizina undulata.

Cordyceps - i.e. Scarlet Caterpillar Fungus - Cordyceps militaris.

Cup Fungi - Peziza i.e. the rare Sarcoscypha coccinea or common Aleuria
aurantia. Also the Eyelash Fungus - Scutellinia scutellata.

Daldinia i.e. King Alfred's Cakes or Cramp Ball - Daldinia concentrica.

Flask type - Xylaria i.e. Dead Man's Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha or Candle Snuff - Xylaria hypoxylon.

Helotiales i.e.Bog Beacon - Mitrula paludosa.
Jelly Babies - Leotia lubrica.

Morels - The spores are contained within the surface of shallow pits i.e Morchella
esculenta and the deadly false morel - Gyromitra esculenta.

Truffles - These rely on animals eating them to distribute their spores! i.e Summer Truffle - Tuber aestivum.

On your marks ... get set ....

John

[Kymba]

Can you tell me a good book to get, for a complete Novice ( who knows nothing about Fungi)
That I can buy, To help me and the School Children Identify the Fungi we find in the School Woods. Maybe one more for adults and One aimed specifically at Children.
It is something I would love to learn more about
The Woods have been totally unmanaged for several years so I am hoping lots are just waiting to be found.

[Stewy]

Not sure on a kids one but you can't go far wrong than getting yourself a copy of Mushrooms by Roger Philips



Amazon.co.uk: Mushrooms: Books: Roger Phillips

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Kymba

Can you tell me a good book to get, for a complete Novice ( who knows nothing about Fungi)
That I can buy, To help me and the School Children Identify the Fungi we find in the School Woods. Maybe one more for adults and One aimed specifically at Children.
It is something I would love to learn more about
The Woods have been totally unmanaged for several years so I am hoping lots are just waiting to be found.

Hi Kymba

A good start is Roger Phillips, Mushrooms - Price £9.48. Also How to Identify Edible Mushrooms (Paperback) by Patrick Harding (Author), Tony Lyon (Author), Gill Tomblin (Illustrator) - Price £12.99 .... both from Amazon.

There's also a laminated folding fungi 'visual key' card (I'm sure it is produced by the British Mycological Society) sold at NT / woodland trust centres. This is ideal for children and novices. It's about £4.00 .... and waterproof

plus check this out: BMS Teaching Resources: Welcome to the World of Fungi

and Fungus Fred http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/files...ungus_Fred.pdf

You will also find reviews on fungi related books within the WAB reviews area.

Hope this helps

John

[Kymba]

Thanks guys
I have made a note of these to go and buy

[thunder]

Something like this?



Taken in my drive today. I did get it identified last year, but have lost the details.

Someone appears to have trodden on it - but not me I think!

thunder

[Mish]

Hi Thunder!

Your picture looks like an old version of the Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcocypha austrica) which was identified in another thread (see 'bright red fungi')

[thunder]

I have tracked down the details from last year - the specimen is Disciotis venosa. Smells somewhat of bleach when you crush a piece.

henrya

[Wes]

Thanks to FungiJohn and Stewy for suggested reading material.