Mushrooms may be at their most prolific in autumn, but some marvellous specimens can be found all year round.
This winter, why not make mushroom-spotting part of your woodland walks!
Why are mushrooms important?
Fungi, which produce mushrooms, play a hugely important role within our ecosystems, helping to recycle nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter, and providing food and shelter for many creatures. Mushrooms, the ‘fruiting body’ of fungus that we see growing out of the ground, can take on the most extraordinary forms.
Here are a few seasonal delights to look out for:
King Alfred’s cakes (Daldinia concentrica)
This black fungus, resembling a burnt bun, gets its name from the famous tale of King Alfred who accidentally let some cakes burn in a countrywoman’s home whilst hiding from the Vikings. They can be spotted on tree trunks, especially ash and beech, where they can last for years. Caterpillars of the concealer moth (Harpella forficella) feed on King Alfred’s cakes, and many other insects make their home inside them.
Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
Commonly found on rotting logs of deciduous trees, Turkeytail grows up to 10cm across, in the form of dense overlapping tiers of blue, red, orange and brown, with a pale outer edge. A good colourful specimen really does resemble a turkey’s tail!
Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea)
In old folklore, wood elves were said to drink morning dew from the mystical Scarlet elf cups. Adding to their magic, they make a tiny puffing sound when they release their spores into the air. The cup shape is a brilliant shade of red on the inside, and the cream outer surface is attached by a little stalk. Scarlet elf cups can be found on decaying sticks and branches in leaf litter on the woodland floor. They are much enjoyed by rodents and slugs.
Hair ice (grows on Exidiopsis effusa)
Hair ice is an extraordinary phenomenon which grows from moist rotting wood when a specific fungus called Exidiopsis effusa is present. The air must be very moist and the temperature just below freezing. Water is pushed out of the pores of the wood in tiny strands of ice resembling hairs, around 0.01 mm in diameter, creating a wonderful ‘Santa’s beard’ effect!
How you can encourage fungi
Fungi have a vital role in restoring degraded soils to health. You can play your part by leaving log piles and dead wood in your outside spaces to help fungi grow and provide a home and food for the wildlife that depends on them. It’s best to avoid using chemical plant foods or pesticides on your soil as they can damage sensitive fungal structures in the earth and prevent plants from reaching nutrients they need.
At The Future Forest Company we protect and conserve all the biodiversity under our management and care, including fungi. The ancient woodlands on our sites have been around for centuries and have developed into complex ecosystems, home to amazing communities of fungi, plants, insects and other fauna, many of which are scarce species. You can join is on our mission to conserve these vital ecosystems by protecting ancient woodland today.
