The Silver Birch The Silver birch, Betula pendula, the ‘Lady of the Woods’, is a graceful looking deciduous tree which grows up to about 30m tall and flowers from around April to May, they are a short-lived species and rarely live beyond 100 years. Its scientific name, betula, comes from the ancient Gaulish word ‘betu’,Continue reading “The Lady of the Woods and the Witches Brooms”
Tag Archives: #Mycology
Mushroom Picking
It’s nearing the end of September and the start of mushroom season, more wet weather is forecast and in this part of the country, with our rainy prevailing winds, we have some of the best fields and woods for picking funghi you could hope to find anywhere. Mushroom picking is traditionally a social activity, it’sContinue reading “Mushroom Picking”
Temperate Rainforests
Rainforest, but not as we know it Lofty green trees clad in lianas and vines, broad waxy leaves dripping with rainwater, howling and screeching monkeys and birds, the whine of flying insects and unbearable humidity, for most people the images these words conjure up are of the archetypal tropical rainforests, those vast, mysterious jungles ofContinue reading “Temperate Rainforests”
Hair Ice
Hair ice, also known as Frost Beard or Ice Wool, is very rare and only forms in very specific conditions, for many centuries its formation had been a complete mystery to science. However researchers found in 2015 that it is formed by a fungus, Exidiopsis effusa, it only forms between 45° and 55° North inContinue reading “Hair Ice”
The Shaggy Inkcap
The Shaggy Inkcap is commonly found in the autumn months growing on roadside verges, in meadows and on garden lawns, its scientific name, Coprinus comatus, coprinus meaning ‘of dung’ and comatus meaning ‘shaggy’ or ‘hairy’, is fairly descriptive of its nature, it is also known as the ‘judges wig’. Its most common name, ‘Inkcap’ comesContinue reading “The Shaggy Inkcap”
Hazel Glove Fungus
The Hazel Glove fungus Hypocreopsis rhododendri, is a member of the ascomycete genus of funghi, which derives its name from the ancient Greek word ‘ascus’, which means sac. On this species the the openings of these sacs are visible as black dots on the surface of the funguses orange fingers. This fungus is found fruitingContinue reading “Hazel Glove Fungus”
The Edible, or King Boletus
The Edible boletus, or King boletus, Boletus edulis, edulis indicating that it is edible and boletus coming from ‘clod’, as the round fist-sized caps of some of the most highly prized specimens are earth-coloured, is considered to be amongst the best edible funghi to be found in the world and is widely collected across theContinue reading “The Edible, or King Boletus”
Northwest Nature and History 