23.
typical white capped species and are found
in both fields and woodlands. The reddening
species on the other hand are normally brown
and scaly. All are delicious and, if fresh,
should turn a clear pinkish-red to crimson
in a few minutes when cut. These are all
medium sized species of about 3-5" across
the cap. Non-colouring mushrooms are in the
minority but one speciality of Epping Forest,
a rare species called A. variegans, is
distinctive by its strong smell of fresh
rubber when cut in half. It looks like a
white mushroom with widely spaced chocolate
scales "ironed on" to the cap. It occurs in
the more shaded parts. Finally, some small
attractive species are found whose caps are
purple and stain yellow, often smelling
strongly of aniseed.
It would take too long to describe all
the species. If you want to see some, come
along to one of our forays and you should
see one or two. If you want to see more,
collect along the forest edges by roadsides.
Here you can find as many as five or six
different species in one afternoon. Only
last October I found a new species for the
County, pure white with red flesh, Agaricus
squamulifera, a very rare and beautiful
prize indeed. Perhaps you too can find it
or something even better, for there are
still nineteen species to go!
Geoffrey Kibby
---oOo---
For the second time in succession
somebody has left a pair of scissors behind
after the Dagenham Town Show. The rightful
owner may like to contact Ron Allen.