NFG recorder's report for 2008

In 2007 after the addition of some late records we entered 1499 records representing 463 species of fungi. In 2008 1661 records were accepted representing 466 species. The higher recording rate produced just three more species than the previous year, but this is not unusual. We have been recording now for 12 years and the number of species noted annually is bound to flatten out regardless of recording rate for these reasons: species found in previous years are not always obliging enough to recur for us in the next year merely to swell our numbers; new species recorded for the NFG or county in any one year may therefore not make much difference to an annual total, though they will to a year on year accumulation; a higher recording rate is likely to result in more coverage of commoner species, but this is important too as it can provide evidence of decline or increase in the distribution or populations of species. Last year I wondered when we would get to 1000 species recorded since our start year of 1996. Well we did so in 2008 with 1023 species in all, excluding Myxomycetes.

I have read comments that 2008 was a poor year generally for fungi, but it seems to me that we have had a fruitful year with more records than before, with new records for our database and 31 new county records. The tables below will show some of these species. We had 10 official forays as well as the mini-forays carried out by individual members or groups of members on their own initiative. Then there are always records from non-members who submit them to us from time to time, or bring them to us for identification. Some forays also took the shape of formal site surveys for the bodies concerned as at Oak Tree Heath, Sherwood Heath and Retford Cemetery. So a busy season.

I have said before that children (accompanied by their parents) are always welcome on our forays. Their alert minds and sharp eyes are quick to find small species easily overlooked by their elders. This was the case this year too on those forays where they came along. I would say the forays are suitable for youngsters aged 7 upwards.

As in previous years I shall try to summarise each of our forays and pick out a few of the fungi that stand out or appeal in other ways.

Rufford CP (April) This was our spring foray. At this time of year many of the fungi found are on or with dead wood or standing trees. Thus we found the rather uncommon hyphomycete Corynespora olivacea on fallen lime twigs upon which it specialises; and Diatrypella quercina unusually on fallen birch twigs (it is usually on oak). Some rather fine specimens of the common grassland toadstool Panaeolus ater, Turf Mottlegill, were found on the lawns. In all 34 species.

Clumber Park Worksop (Sept) This foray was combined with a picnic and cooked fungi. A good total of 60 species was recorded (not all for the picnic!), among them the deadly Amanita phalloides, Death Cap, and the striking little reddish Cortinarius bolaris, Dappled Redcap. Other fungi of note were Cordyceps militaris, Scarlet Caterpillarclub, which as its name suggests grows from the buried larvae of moths; Fistulina hepatica, Beefsteak Fungus; and Pleurotus ostreatus, Oyster Fungus. Another good find was Oudemansiella mucida, Porcelain Fungus, which grows usually quite high up on beech trees. It is a beautiful white, translucent, glistening fungus and is nationally widespread and common. Yet we have recorded it only twice on our forays in Notts, both from Worksop sites.

Sherwood Pines/Clipstone Forest (Sept) This was a combined members’ and public foray and much interest was generated in the 46 species recorded in the morning. Chalciporus piperatus, Peppery Bolete; Boletus edulis, Penny Bun; the pine stump bracket Ischnoderma benzoinum; and the slime moulds Enteridium lycoperdon (white) on a trunk and Fuligo septica (bright yellow) in grass. A classroom session was held afterwards where collected specimens were displayed and discussed.

Attenborough NR (Sept) A total of 63 species of fungi were recorded at this combined members’ and public foray with a classroom session afterwards. Trametes suaveolens, a white aniseed-scented bracket was the rarest native species here and running it close the bright red Paurocotylis pila, a relatively recent New Zealand immigrant. (One of our members also found it a few years ago on his allotment). The dark brown Otidea bufonia, Toad’s Ear, was found under birch and oak and is not common either; while for the sharp-eyed there were the tiny orange discs of Hymenoscyphus calyculus on old blackberry stems.

Cuckney Hay Wood nr Warsop (Oct) There was a really good turn-out for this site previously unvisited by the NFG despite an appalling start in torrential cold rain, flooded road and car parking ankle-deep in mud. However, fortune favours the brave, and after half an hour or so the rain stopped and the foray ended in bright sunshine. The total of 86 species was the highest of all our forays this season. No rarities though, but an excellent range of fungal types were recorded: coralloid fungi like Clavulina cinerea, Grey Coral and C. coralloides, Crested Coral; the small white Lepiota seminuda, Bearded Dapperling, along the main path; a large Psathyrella sarcocephala, with polished white stem and smooth chocolate-brown cap; the uncommon bracket Bjerkandera fumosa, Big Smoky Bracket, on an old beech log; Lactarius blennius, Beech Milkcap, among the fallen beech leaves; in soil the attractive dark brown Macrocystidia cucumis, Cucumber Cap, smelling of codliver oil; Stereum sanguinolentem, Bleeding Conifer Crust, on pine stumps, bleeding red as the name says when cut; and Stereum subtomentosum, Yellowing Curtain Crust, whose cap bruises yellowish on being scratched. Fomes fomentarius, Hoof Fungus, almost always on birch was seen here on dead fallen and standing beech.

Blidworth Bottoms (Oct) A site we have visited previously was well attended and turned up a nice range of the commoner fungi. Boletus badius, Bay Bolete, in pine litter; the pretty Laccaria amethystina, Amethyst Deceiver, dark violet as the name suggests; the bracket Heterobasidion annosum, Root Fomes, unwelcome to foresters but with beautiful chestnut red crust and white margin; and the curiously formed White Saddle, Helvella crispa were among the more striking of the morning’s 31 finds.

Sherwood Forest NNR (Oct) This is always a popular venue and did not disappoint in its varied range of fungi nor in producing some uncommon specimens. 75 fungi were recorded in all. Among the most uncommon were Pseudolepiota asperula, recorded by us only once before in Notts; Melanophylla haematospermum, Red-spored Dapperling; Psilocybe cyanescens, Blueleg Brownie, which turns blue-green on handling; and the small brown discs of Ciboria batschiana on old acorns. Helvella elastica, the small grey-brown Elastic Saddle was also an interesting find in the oak litter. The photographers among us were kept busy. A bright clump of pure white fungi caused some discussion – were they Clitocybe phyllophila, Frosty Funnel, or Lyophyllum connatum, White Domecap? They can look very alike. Back at home the application of iron salts to cap and gills turned them lilac, showing this fungus to be the Lyophyllum. A classroom session took place at the end of this foray with books, specimens and microscopes.

Oak Tree Heath Mansfield (Oct) This foray-survey provided another previously unvisited site. Heathland is always likely to turn up surprises, sometimes disappointing ones. For instance there were only 3 species of waxcap seen, all very common. Even so, there were good finds among the 54 species recorded: Collybia cookei, the Split-pea Shanklet arising from its small yellow sclerotium deep in the soil; Crinipellis scabella, Hairy Parachute, on old wood or dead grass stems takes some spotting as it is very small; the black Elfin Saddle, Helvella lacunosa under oak, visually arresting though not uncommon on poor heath soils; Tricholoma cingulatum, Girdled Knight, a Tricholoma that grows with willows and, as its name suggests, bears a ring on the stem; Tricholoma scalpturatum, Yellowing Knight, a greyish Tricholoma turning yellowish in places; and Tricholoma imbricatum, Matt Knight, a reddish-brown fungus with pines.

Sherwood Heath NR Ollerton (Oct) A well-attended foray where we were joined by a number of rangers and site managers etc. In all 66 species of fungi were recorded here this year, including 5 waxcaps and a black earth tongue, Geoglossum fallax. The latter is not uncommon nationally but is a first record for Notts as was one of the waxcaps, Hygrophorus agathosmus, Almond Woodwax which is uncommon. The presence of these fungi in the short grass near paths suggest the Heath might provide more yet if the dense long grass of the open heath could be grazed or cut. Also present was Bjerkandera fumosa, Big Smoky Bracket, on a sycamore stump; Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis, Goblet, on a stump; and the ascomycete jelly Ascocoryne cylichnium on rotten wood. Another interesting jelly fungus was a very large growth of Leafy Brain, Tremella foliacea, on birch. Looking rather like a hardwood form of the Cauliflower Fungus it had to be taken back for microscopic confirmation.

Bunny Old Wood NR (Nov) This NWT Reserve has been forayed by us about 4 times but not since 2001. A deciduous wood on clays, it is good for many kinds of fungi that grow on or have associations with wood, both living and dead. Few species like Lactarius, Russula or Boletus have been recorded here but brackets and other wood-loving fungi are abundant. This year too saw some unusual finds: Calocera glossoides, an uncommon Stagshorn on old oak wood; Hohenbuehelia atrocaerulea, an uncommon jelly type bracket on dead hardwood and a first Notts record; Typhula spathulata, a small infrequent club on dead stacked wood and another Notts first; and a small orange disc fungus Hymenoscyphus scutula on dead bramble stems. 48 species were identified here.

Colwick CP Nottingham (Nov) A pleasant site visited by us before, giving a mix of woodland, grassland and water edges. We identified 47 species here. Among them were: a clump of Agaricus silvaticus, Blushing Wood Mushroom, a good edible mushroom and so called because it turns red quite rapidly on cutting; Entoloma lividoalbum in willow litter and another county first; Pleurotus dryinus, Veiled Oyster, in a tree cavity – a typical niche for it; Mutinus caninus, Dog’s Stinkhorn, smaller, more attractive, less smelly than the usual stinkhorn. There was a good range of Mycena recorded too including the tiny white Mycena adscendens, Frosty Bonnet, and Mycena stylobates, Bulbous Bonnet, both on wood.

Anyone who attended these forays can obtain full lists of species from the Secretary, Tony Kavanagh.

The Tables and Map that follow are self-explanatory and follow much the same pattern as in previous years.

Howard Williams, Recorder

TABLE 1   20 most commonly recorded Notts species in 2008
Species	Common name	Records
Xylaria hypoxylon	Candle Snuff	29
Stereum hirsutum	Common Curtain Crust	28
Trametes versicolor	Turkeytail	27
Hypholoma fasciculare	Sulphur Tuft	23
Auricularia auricula-judae	Jew's Ear	22
Bjerkandera adusta	Smoky Bracket	18
Laccaria laccata	Deceiver	18
Rhodocollybia butyracea	Buttercap	18
Piptoporus betulinus	Razor Strop Fungus	17
Amanita rubescens	Blusher	15
Dacrymyces stillatus	Common Jellyspot	15
Daedaleopsis confragosa	Blushing Bracket	15
Fomes fomentarius	Hoof Fungus	15
Nectria cinnabarina	Coral Spot	15
Exidia nucleata	Crystal Brain	14
Lycoperdon perlatum	Common Puffball	14
Armillaria mellea	Honey Fungus	13
Leccinum scabrum	Birch Bolete	13
Russula ochroleuca	Common Yellow Russula	13
Xylaria polymorpha	Dead Man's Fingers	13
TABLE 2   The 20 most widespread species in Notts
Taxon	Vernacular	10km Records
Auricularia auricula-judae	Jew's Ear	21
Stereum hirsutum	Hairy Curtain Crust	20
Pluteus cervinus	Deer Shield	20
Bjerkandera adusta	Smoky Bracket	20
Dacrymyces stillatus	Common Jellyspot	20
Coprinus micaceus	Glistening Inkcap	20
Trametes versicolor	Turkeytail	19
Daedaleopsis confragosa	Blushing Bracket	19
Mycena galericulata	Common Bonnet	19
Lepista nuda	Wood Blewit	19
Hypholoma fasciculare	Sulphur Tuft	19
Mycena arcangeliana	Angel's Bonnet	18
Armillaria mellea	Honey Fungus	18
Lycoperdon pyriforme	Stump Puffball	18
Macrolepiota rhacodes	Shaggy Parasol	18
Clitocybe nebularis	Clouded Agaric	18
Xylaria hypoxylon	Candlesnuff Fungus	18
Piptoporus betulinus	Razorstrop Fungus	18
Mycena aetites	Drab Bonnet	17
Nectria cinnabarina	Coralspot	17
Coprinus plicatilis	Pleated Inkcap	17
Gymnopus dryophilus	Russet Toughshank	17
Lycoperdon perlatum	Common Puffball	17
Tubaria furfuracea	Scurfy Twiglet	17
Rhodocollybia butyracea	Buttercap	17
Lepista flaccida	Tawny Funnel	17
TABLE 3   50 most uncommon Notts species 2008 (* = also County Firsts)
Taxon	Site Name	FRDBI
Inocybe pseudodestricta	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR	8
Geopora sepulta *	Bestwood CP Nottingham	10
Hemimycena crispata *	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood	15
Melanoleuca stridula	Barrow Hills NR; Rushcliffe Golf Course	18
Typhula spathulata*	Bunny Wood NR (NWT)	18
Paurocotylis pila	Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham	19
Lepiota pseudoasperula	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR	21
Inocybe obscurobadia *	Woodsetts(Owday) Pond N Notts	29
Entoloma lividoalbum *	Colwick CP Nottingham	44
Gymnosporangium sabinae (fuscum) *	Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham	45
Neottiella vivida	Mansfield Cemetery	45
Clitocybe agrestis	Carlton-in-Lindrick churchyard	47
Entoloma sordidulum	Woodsetts(Owday)Pond N Notts	48
Corynespora olivacea	Carlton-in-Lindrick churchyard; Rufford CP	49
Mycena mirata *	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood	52
Cystolepiota moelleri *	Retford Cemetery Notts	56
Russula cessans	near Scofton, Worksop	64
Hygrophorus agathosmus *	Sherwood Heath, Ollerton	69
Suillus collinitus	Bestwood CP Quarry; near Scofton Worksop	70
Arrhenia griseopallida *	Bestwood CP Quarry	75
Conocybe siennophylla *	Haywood Oaks	79
Pulvinula convexella	Bestwood CP Nottingham; Hucknall Wood Lane Nottingham	87
Geopora arenosa	Bestwood CP Quarry	90
Byssonectria fusispora	Bestwood CP Nottingham	94
Hyphodontia crustosa *	Woodsetts(Owday)Pond N Notts	96
Psathyrella tephrophylla	Carlton-in-Lindrick churchyard	104
Inocybe pusio *	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR	105
Tubeufia cerea *	Bestwood CP Nottingham	117
Crepidotus versutus	Haywood Oaks	118
Simocybe haustellaris	Langold C.P.; Haywood Oaks; 100 Acre Wood Worksop	118
Mycena purpureofusca *	Barrow Hills NR	123
Ceriporia purpurea *	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood	124
Psathyrella sarcocephala	Cuckney Hay Wood	126
Galerina sphagnorum *	Rainworth Heath NR (NWT)	128
Hohenbuehelia atrocaerulea *	Bunny Wood NR(NWT)	132
Pluteus cinereofuscus	Sharphill Wood West Bridgford	148
Guepinia helvelloides	Costhorpe N Notts	149
Daldinia fissa	Daneshill LNR	152
Lycoperdon umbrinum *	Bestwood CP Nottingham	164
Crepidotus caspari(lundellii) *	Haywood Oaks	172
Psilocybe cyanescens	Bunny Wood NR(NWT); Clumber Park; Wollaton Park	175
Marasmius curreyi (graminum)	Rufford Country Park	177
Lanzia echinophila	Clumber Park	185
Conocybe pubescens	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR	195
Ciboria batschiana	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR; Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham	200
Otidea bufonia	Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham	201
Lactarius controversus	Rushcliffe Golf Course	209
Arrhenia retiruga	Daneshill reserve south (NWT); Mansfield Cemetery	210
Psathyrella prona f. prona	Carlton-in-Lindrick churchyard; Mansfield Cemetery	212
TABLE 4   New species for NFG records in 2008
Species
Agrocybe cylindracea	Attenborough NR
Arrhenia acerosa	Mansfield Cemetery
Botryobasidium aureum	Bestwood Mill Lakes
Calloria neglecta	Carlton-in-Lindrick, Carlton Wood
Ceriporia purpurea	Carlton-in-Lindrick, Carlton Wood
Clavulinopsis laeticolor	Attenborough NR
Conocybe pubescens	Sherwood Forest NNR
Conocybe siennophylla	Haywood Oaks
Cortinarius bolaris	Clumber Park
Crepidotus caspari (lundellii)	Haywood Oaks
Cystolepiota moelleri	Retford Cemetery
Entoloma hebes	Langold CP
Entoloma lividoalbum	Colwick CP
Entoloma prunuloides	Wollaton Park
Galerina sphagnorum	Rainworth Heath NR
Geoglossum fallax	Sherwood Heath NR Ollerton
Geoglossum glutinosum	Mansfield Cemetery
Geopora sepulta	Bestwood CP
Gymnosporangium sabinae (fuscum)	Attenborough NR
Hemimycena tortuosa	Langold CP
Hohenbuehelia atrocaerulea	Bunny Wood NR
Hygrocybe glutinipes	Mansfield Cemetery
Hygrophorus agathosmus	Sherwood Heath NR Ollerton
Hymenoscyphus scutula	Bunny Wood NR (NWT); Attenborough NR
Hyphodontia crustosa	Woodsetts (Owday) Pond N. Notts
Inocybe obscurobadia	Woodsetts (Owday) Pond N. Notts
Kuehneola uredinis	Attenborough NR
Leccinum variicolor	Bestwood CP
Mycena crocata	Sharphill Wood West Bridgford
Mycena mirata	Carlton-in-Lindrick, Carlton Wood
Mycena purpureofusca	Barrow Hills Everton
Omphalina griseopallida	Bestwood CP
Otidea alutacea	Wollaton Park
Otidea onotica	Sharphill Wood West Bridgford
Phragmidium violaceum	Sherwood Pines
Pluteus cinereofuscus	Sharphill Wood West Bridgford
Pluteus podospileus	Ruddington CP
Pseudocraterellus undulatus (sinuosus)	Sherwood Forest NNR
Simocybe haustellaris	Haywood Oaks; 100 Acre Wood nr Worksop
Trochila ilicina	Rufford CP
Tubeufia cerea	Bestwood CP
Typhula spathulata	Bunny Wood NR (NWT)
Ustilago segetum var. avenae	Attenborough NR
TABLE 5   32 first county records for Notts 2008
Agrocybe cylindracea	Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham
Arrhenia acerosa	Mansfield Cemetery
Arrhenia griseopallida	Bestwood CP Quarry
Ceriporia purpurea	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood
Conocybe siennophylla	Haywood Oaks
Cortinarius bolaris	Clumber Park (central ref)
Crepidotus caspari(lundellii)	Haywood Oaks
Cystolepiota moelleri	Retford Cemetery Notts
Entoloma hebes	Langold C.P.
Entoloma lividoalbum	Colwick CP Nottingham
Entoloma prunuloides	Wollaton Park
Galerina sphagnorum	Rainworth Heath NR (NWT)
Geoglossum fallax	Sherwood Heath Ollerton
Geoglossum glutinosum	Mansfield Cemetery
Geopora sepulta	Bestwood CP Nottingham
Gymnosporangium sabinae (fuscum)	Attenborough NR (NWT) Nottingham
Hemimycena crispata	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood
Hemimycena tortuosa	Langold C.P.
Hohenbuehelia atrocaerulea	Bunny Wood NR (NWT)
Hygrocybe glutinipes	Mansfield Cemetery
Hygrophorus agathosmus	Sherwood Heath Ollerton
Hyphodontia crustosa	Woodsetts(Owday) Pond N Notts
Inocybe obscurobadia	Woodsetts(Owday) Pond N Notts
Inocybe pusio	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR
Leccinum variicolor	Bestwood CP Nottingham
Lycoperdon umbrinum	Bestwood CP Nottingham
Mycena mirata	Carlton-in-Lindrick - Carlton Wood
Mycena purpureofusca	Barrow Hills NR
Pluteus podospileus	Ruddington CP
Pseudocraterellus undulatus (sinuosus)	Sherwood Forest Country Park NNR
Tubeufia cerea	Bestwood CP Nottingham
Typhula spathulata	Bunny Wood NR (NWT)