I’m not absolutely sure what this fungi is, although I did check my Roger’s Mushrooms book. This pic was taken in January in deciduous woods, the fungi were growing on a fallen and dead silver birch. Any help with identification would be appreciated!
GYMNOPILUS – The common name is Rustgill. I think this particular one is the ‘Spectacular Rustgill’ – Gymnopilus junonius. Found in clusters under deciduous trees.
Club fungi, Clavariadelphus truncatus, exceedingly rare, endangered, on Red Data List, said to be edible.
Simply amazing how tiny mushrooms can be, and where they grow!
Even tiny dew-drops on one of these dainty fungi!
Red Cage Clathrus ruber
This fungi starts out as a white to greyish egg-shaped ball, bursting open to show a lattice, orange-red, with greenish-black spore-bearing material on the inside. It has a strong fetid smell that attracts flies (it really does pong!) note this one has the fly on top. Uncommon, not edible.
This is a favourite of the French, excellent for eating, and used in various recipes. Translated, the name means ‘trumpets of the dead’ maybe because of the colour!
White Saddle: common, edible
The black truffle is a specialty of the Perigord region of France, where we live. Usually you need a well-trained dog to seek out these underground truffles but I managed to dig one up in a flowerbed back in 2012. I’d never seen one before and was extremely curious, initially thinking it was either a rock or a lump of wood. It had an extremely strong scent, and because it was getting old it also had small worms in it. We gave it to our small village hotel who were very pleased to take it off our hands, and in return gave us a free menu de jour.
Mushrooms of the Dordogne 