Our members are all amateur enthusiasts who want to broaden their interest in fungi and to help with their conservation as they come under an increasing threat from the depletion of our woodlands and forests. Our goals are to:
Observe, Identify, Record, Protect & Educate
Fungus Identification GroupWe are a local fungi recording group affiliated to the British Mycological Society. We have about 30 members with a wide range of experience and skills, but who share a particular interest in fungi and foraying for fungi.
Some of us have microscopes and reference books to help with identification, some like to photograph fungi and others prefer to enjoy looking at, and sometimes putting a name to, fungi in the field.
Although some of us enjoy eating fungi, as a group this is not our focus. We are also mindful that our forays are often on private land, having obtained permission from the land owner. In these cases picking for eating is often not allowed.
We are always pleased to see newcomers. If you ever wanted an answer to the question "What are fungi?", you couldn't come to a better group. Why not come along to a foray and see what we do? We are happy to welcome new members at all levels of expertise, including children accompanied by an adult. (But if you want to bring a dog, you should check with the leader beforehand.)
If you are interested in joining our group, download the form on the 'Join' page. If you have any questions you can email us at 'info@hertfordshirefungusgroup.org'
There are many types of fungi which can be eaten safely, but there are also some extremely poisonous species. There is NO simple method by which poisonous species can be distinguished from edible ones.
It cannot be emphasized strongly enough that unfamiliar fungus specimens should NOT be eaten, unless they have been identified carefully and with absolute certainty by a competent mycologist. Even with familiar species it is important to ensure material is fresh and in good condition if it is to be eaten.
Our autumn programme is now in the calendar (bottom right of home page if viewing on a pc, scroll to the bottom if using a phone or tablet). To view information on a meeting, click on the relevant date in the calendar. Click Read more to see all details including an aerial photo of the meeting point.
Pat
We had a display table at the Rickmansworth Festival last week. In spite of the time of year and the recent dryness, we did have a few “real” fungi (brackets and a selection from Sainsburys) but fortunately Steve was able to supplement these with his beautiful and amazingly lifelike models. We had quite a lot of interest from members of the public, with adults particularly asking about edibles, and children drawn to the brightly coloured and the strangely shaped.
Pat
We had an interesting and informative workshop on rusts and smuts on 7 May, with a brief description of their complicated lifecycles and an opportunity to look at a variety of specimens, including the smut on Cuckoo Pint / Lords & Ladies - Melanustilospora ari. This has been considered rare but with several recent finds, it may just have been overlooked. It causes black blotches on the leaves - but there are often black blotches on the leaves of this plant - but more tellingly it creates pustules on the undersurface of the leaf, see photo. So worth looking out for.
Six people including the leader, Kerry Robinson, were at this meeting, and they were accompanied by the assistant warden, John Rowley. It had been very dry beforehand, so the group concentrated on the damper areas near the ponds, where they found the rare asco-on-a-stalk Myriosclerotinia sulcatula (photo attached).
Our spring programme has now been added to the calendar bottom right (or scroll down if using phone or tablet).
Pat
We had a good haul of Pluteus species - Pluteus umbrosus (Velvet shield - photo from Alison), Pluteus luteovirens (Yellow shield - see next item), Pluteus cervinus (Deer shield) and Pluteus minutissimus aka P. podospileus (no common name yet)
...and a second photo from Alison - Pluteus luteovirens
Pseudoboletus parasiticus (Parasitic bolete) with Scleroderma citrinum (Common earthball); photo by Sharon.
We had a pleasant day for our meeting at Flitwick Moor on 18 September, with the ground not too dry, as is always the case at this site which is unusually damp for Beds. We saw several of the site specialities including Russula claroflava (Yellow swamp brittlegill - photo courtesy of Sharon) and Pseudoboletus parasiticus (Parasitic bolete) which although always found with Scleroderma citrinum (Common earthball) may not in fact be parasitic with it.
Overall a very enjoyable morning.
Pat
Members will already have received our autumn programme. It is now also on the website (click on the relevant date in the calendar bottom right). If you are a member of the newsgroup, you will receive a reminder before each meeting.
Pat