The Ultimate "What is this Fungi?" thread.

[Geoff Dann]

Thank you very much. In my searches I had come to the "conclusion" it was Amanita virosa. What are the main differences that you see or am I just so wide of the mark it's irrelevant?

Yes and no. This mushroom is closely related to something called a Paddy Straw Mushroom, which is cultivated in Asia and popular in Chinese cookery. And unfortunately it does look rather similar to a death cap (Amanita phalloides), resulting in some fatal mix-ups. Amanita virosa is brilliant white, and therefore not often confused with non-white mushrooms, although your specimen was whiter than most for that species. They belong to different families as well a genera (Amanitaceae and Plutaceae), but the two families are distant relatives.

The most striking difference, apart from the colour, is that the Volvariellas have no ring and the deadly Amanitas have large, pendulous rings. The habitat is also totally different - the amanitas are symbiotic with trees whereas V. gloiocephala is one of the few fungi that grows in bare fields.

Put it this way: if you come across A. virosa then I suspect you'll know immediately what you've found. It's a pretty impressive mushroom, usually at least.

 

[Harvestman]

Hi Geoff, here's one that I really would like your opinion on. Is this Wrinkled Peach? If so, what is the scientific name for it because it isn't in my book. If not, any idea what it is? I don't know what the wood is as it was just a stump, but it was in a hedgerow with hazel, hawthorn, birch and oak, on the edge of the Black Mountains, in upland terrain. I understand wrinkled peach to be associated with dead elm, which is by no means impossible in the area. There is certainly wych elm in abundance.

Opinions appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Is this Wrinkled Peach?

Yes.

If so, what is the scientific name for it because it isn't in my book.

Rhodotus palmatus.

 

[Harvestman]

Yes.



Rhodotus palmatus.

Thank you.

(I love minimalism too)

 

[mountainm]

Anyone care to have a stab at these?

We went for a stroll through our local woods (via a pub). There was a multitude of shrooms to be spotted right on the path. Along with the ubiquitous birch poly-pore there were some familiar faces, some less so.

Lots of these - not sure what they are

Close up

Another angle

These were all over the place too - not ID'd them yet

Honey fungus(?) - it was everywhere

Something purple - a few of these

Showing the underside

Horsehoof loved this tree

My Boys found these monsters - horse hoof fungus again

Parasol

ink caps

Not sure on this one

An unknown pink one

Lovely colour on these.

And a fly agaric

 

[Geoff Dann]

1,2,3 Horse Mushroom
4 some sort of inkcap
5 no, sulphur tuft
6 a russula
7 another russula
10 no, shaggy parasol
11 shaggy inkcap
12 the blusher
13 another russula, probably
14 spectacular rustgill

 

[mountainm]

1,2,3 Horse Mushroom
4 some sort of inkcap
5 no, sulphur tuft
6 a russula
7 another russula
10 no, shaggy parasol
11 shaggy inkcap
12 the blusher
13 another russula, probably
14 spectacular rustgill

Thanks Geoff!

 

[scotty38]

Yes and no. This mushroom is closely related to something called a Paddy Straw Mushroom, which is cultivated in Asia and popular in Chinese cookery. And unfortunately it does look rather similar to a death cap (Amanita phalloides), resulting in some fatal mix-ups. Amanita virosa is brilliant white, and therefore not often confused with non-white mushrooms, although your specimen was whiter than most for that species. They belong to different families as well a genera (Amanitaceae and Plutaceae), but the two families are distant relatives.

The most striking difference, apart from the colour, is that the Volvariellas have no ring and the deadly Amanitas have large, pendulous rings. The habitat is also totally different - the amanitas are symbiotic with trees whereas V. gloiocephala is one of the few fungi that grows in bare fields.

Put it this way: if you come across A. virosa then I suspect you'll know immediately what you've found. It's a pretty impressive mushroom, usually at least.

Brilliant, thank you again, it's very much appreciated!

 

[Dog&Gun]

Found at the edge of a pine forest:

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[Geoff Dann]

Not much hope without a shot of the underside. Maybe common rustgill.

 

[Dog&Gun]

Not much hope without a shot of the underside. Maybe common rustgill.

Thanks, I will try to get one in the morning.

 

[xavierdoc]

What an excellent thread.

Ive had some great Parasols and common puff balls this year. Also a few "field" mushrooms.

In the past I have enjoyed Ceps, Chantarelles and beef-steak ("enjoyed"?!). Need to work on my fungi-fu before venturing to other species. Usual rule applies (if in doubt, miss it out) so most fungi go uneaten.

 

[xavierdoc]

I found these last week. Deciduous woodland: beech, oak, holly etc.

They were all over the place in groups, though not a typical "ring".

The cap was a bit slimy but it has been v wet here.

I thought they might be Collybia dryophyla or Russet Tough Shank?








The cap had a translucent, peelable layer:



Thanks in advance.

Xav

 

[xavierdoc]

Here's one from the garden. They appear to growing on a grassy bank, but it's possible there is dead wood or an old stump under the soil:





Smell is mushroomy. No exudate from cut surface. The hole in the knife is 13mm

I thought it was probably Hypholoma fasciculare aka Sulphur Tuft but I thought that grew on wood?

 

[Harvestman]

That last looks like sulphur tuft to me.

 

[Geoff Dann]

I found these last week. Deciduous woodland: beech, oak, holly etc.

They were all over the place in groups, though not a typical "ring".

The cap was a bit slimy but it has been v wet here.

I thought they might be Collybia dryophyla or Russet Tough Shank?

"All over the place" is a giveaway. They're butter caps.

 

[xavierdoc]

"All over the place" is a giveaway. They're butter caps.

Thanks Geoff. I thought they looked like butter caps but they weren't under conifers and the russet toughshank looks so similar, is also gregarious but fitted the habitat better.

I'll have to have another look!

 

[Geoff Dann]

I saw a load of butter caps today growing in grass in a cemetery. Great big fat ones. They do particularly like coniferous woodland, but they are saprophytes rather than symbiotic and they can turn up in all sorts of places.

 

[nephilim]

What are these if anyone can identify. Mother in law has them in her garden.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Some sort of Galerina. Not edible. Might be quite toxic.