Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2016 | Page 69

w Country life It starts in the ground, looking like an egg which then develops into a fruiting body which may grow to 20cm high. The dark tips of these are covered with mucous, attracting flies with their smell of rotting flesh. Shaggy Inkcap: These are dainty toadstools with acorn shaped caps usually about 10cm tall. As they age, the caps become bell-shaped, darken in colour and finally melt. Orange Peel: The name is a very apt description – as it looks exactly like a piece of discarded orange peel! The irregular cap can grow up to about 8cm in diameter and has a smooth, bright orange upper surface and a greyish orange, powdery lower surface. Photo: Toadstools on dead wood by Mark Heighes Yellow Brain Fungus: The fruiting bodies are bright yellow and sinuous, and as the name suggests have a brain-like structure. They can grow up to 10cm across and are found on the dead twigs of deciduous trees. Sulphur Tuft: These are small toadstools which grow in large groups, usually on dead deciduous wood and are bright yellow in colour. The cap measures 5-6 cm in diameter and is smooth and the gills beneath are grey-green in colour. Photo: Shaggy Inkcap by Melissa Litchfield Photo: Antler Fungus by Chris Bean Common Earthball: The fruiting bodies are potato-like in appearance, up to 10cm wide, brown coloured and with a rough scaly pattern. On maturity they break open and release the spores from within. Picking and foraging for fungi is increasingly popular – though it shouldn’t be done without some expert guidance as some fungi are poisonous. Excessive picking over the long-term may impact fungi which are an important part of the woodland ecosystem, and just as you wouldn’t decimate a wildflower meadow or ancient woodland, it’s important we look after them and keep their populations thriving and growing for generations to come to enjoy too. To find out more about fungi, or how you can join a Trust-led walk or talk, visit www.hiwwt.org.uk. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, working for a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. Phone: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hiwwt.org.uk Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP Oct/Nov 2016_MASTER NEW.indd 69 Photo: Glistening Inkcap by Linda Priestley The accompanying image of a cluster of fly agaric toadstools is one of the highly commended images from our 2016 wildlife photography competition. Enjoy this image and more in our 2017 Wildlife Calendar, available at www.hiwwt.org.uk. Join us today and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: • Unlimited visits to 57 wildlife reserves in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and 2,500 reserves nationwide. • A welcome pack when you join. • Wildlife, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s magazine, delivered to you three times a year. • The chance to take part in local group and community activities, offering you a variety of opportunities to be involved in. More than 350 walks, talks and events throughout the two counties. • Join by Direct Debit & receive your FREE full colour Local Wildlife Reserve Guide. www.visitilife.com 69 14/10/2016 14:38