We had a bright day for our morning field meeting to collect specimens, less windy and warmer than it has been through this chilly spring, but very muddy underfoot, and we had a good turnout of 20 people. Northaw Great Wood, new to some of us, was also impressive.

We then moved to Northaw village hall and set out our microscopes. After our AGM and lunch, Kerry gave us a brief introduction to some of the discomycetes and pyrenomycetes most commonly encountered in Herts, together with useful tips on how to separate them, and illustrated this with her wonderful close-up photos of these lovely little things. She then demonstrated some microscopy techniques. All in all a very enjoyable and informative day.

 

Some of Ascomycetes included:

Annuloypoxylon minutellum (= Hypoxylon) – on Oak (photo below)
Annulohypoxylon multiforme (= Hypoxylon) – on Birch
Calloria neglecta – on Stinging Nettle
Cudoniella acicularis – under deciduous log (presumed Oak)
Dasyscyphella nivea (=Dasyscyphus) – on Oak
Diatrype stigma – on Hornbeam
Diatrypella quericina – on Oak
Eriopezia caesia – Hornbeam log
Hyaloscypha sp. tbd
Hypoxylon fragiforme – on Beech
Hypoxylon howeanum – on Beech		 Lachnum virgineum – on old fallen Oak petioles
Leptosphaeria acuta – dead Stinging Nettle stems
Melogramma campylosporum – on Hornbeam (photo below)
Micropodia pteridina – base of old Bracken rachis
Microthyrium ilicinum – on old fallen leaf of Sweet Chestnut
Mollisia sp.
Nectria cinnabarina – on Hornbeam
Rhopographus filicina – on old bracken rachis
Trochila ilicina – old fallen holly leaves
Xylaria carpophila – on beech mast
Xylaria hypoxylon

 

Pat