Country lifewPhoto : F ly Agaric by Mary Gardiner
Fabulous autumn fungi
By Lianne de Mello , Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust PR and Communications Officer
When we think of a fungus , the first thing that springs to mind is the traditional red and white toadstool - but when you start looking , there ’ s seemingly no limit to the variety of shapes , textures and colours that you ’ ll see . Once you start searching seriously for fungi you will soon find anything goes . Here are some fungi that you can spot this Autumn .
Fly Agaric : Portrayed in children ’ s fairy stories – and often with a pixie sitting on the top ! The bright red caps can measure 15cm across when mature and have white spots , which are the remains of a veil which covers the immature fungus .
The Blusher : The reddish-brown cap starts as a hemisphere and then flattens out , measuring 5 – 15cm . The white flesh reddens when damaged – hence the name .
Stinkhorn : This fungus can usually be smelt before it is seen and may be as far as 20m away !
Photo : Fungus in leaf litter by Bob Chapman
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