Gardening Magazine

When is a Mushroom a Toadstool?

By Mwillis
At this time of year I often go up to nearby Velmead Common to photograph fungi. On Sunday afternoon I spent a couple of hours strolling round the common with my camera poised.
I'm no expert on fungus-identification, but even I recognize this one. It's Amanita Muscaria, "Fly Agaric", isn't it? A mushroom, or a toadstool? The latter, I think. Definitely not edible.
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
The Common was much drier than it normally is at this time of year, and it was easier to get round. Sometimes it is very boggy. Nevertheless there are still a few pretty big puddles:
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
There are lots of patches of big Pine trees, under which there is little undergrowth.
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
Little undergrowth, maybe, but loads of fir-cones:
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
Many species of fungus seem to enjoy this as a habitat, and you will notice that many of my photos show fungi pushing up through the litter of pine twigs and cones.
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
But there are also areas with thick vegetation - young Pine trees, Birch saplings, heather, gorse and bracken.
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
The Heather is mostly "over":
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
But the Gorse flowers almost all year round:
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
There were lots of Blackberries - and I noticed several people picking them. No problem: there's enough for everyone!
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
The little herd of Highland cattle were looking very healthy, their coats long and shaggy:
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
But my interest was primarily in the fungi, so let me show you some of the photos I took. Don't ask me what type they are though. [Warning - there are lots of them!]
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
When is a mushroom a toadstool?
OK, get the message? There were lots of different fungi to be seen! One day I'll get round to fixing a proper "Fungus Foray" with a real expert, because I reckon there must be lots of edible types out there. If only I knew which was which...

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