Sulphur Tuft
Hypholoma fasciculare

This fungus is well named for the bright sulphur-yellow caps. The gills are also sulphur yellow initially.

Habitat: This is a very common species which grows in tufts on the rotting wood of deciduous  and coniferous trees. It can be found all year.

Honey Fungus
Armillaria mellea

The fruiting bodies are very variable, 6 - 15cm high. The caps are almost smooth and bright honey yellow to greenish yellow. This species can be a serious parasite of woodland trees, causing great economic damage. The fungus spreads by means of rhizomorphs or 'bootlaces'. These are black cables of collections of hyphae.

Habitat: coniferous and deciduous woodland

Fly Agaric
Amanita muscaria

This is a poisonous species. The red cap is covered with white pyramidal warts which may get washed off by rain.

Habitat: with birch trees and occasionally in pine woods. The fruiting bodies are found late summer to late autumn. They may be found in 'fairy rings'.

(image courtesy of Bernard Walker)

Parasol Mushroom
Lepiota procera

This is a large mushroom, up to 45cm high and with a cap of 10-25cm in diameter.

Habitat: in open woods and fields. Fruiting bodies can be found through summer and late autumn.

Shaggy Ink Cap
Coprinus comatus

Spores are produced on crowded gills. These soon break down to produce a dripping black inky fluid which contains the spores.

In the shaggy ink cap, the cap surface breaks down into large white shaggy brown-tipped scales. The fruiting body is 5 - 15 cm high.

Habitat: In grass, on rubbish heaps, on disturbed soil. It is common late summer to autumn.

Porcelain Fungus
Oudemansiella mucida

The cap is pale grey to white, with a translucent sheen. It is slimy. The gills are white.

Habitat: almost exclusively on the stems of Beech trees. They are often in clusters high up. They are can be found late summer to late autumn.

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