Identifying fungi is not always easy and is becoming harder as genera and species are constantly
being revised, split or amended and usually require a microscope. But to counterbalance this, is the
availability of modern taxonomic works and good illustrated guides to the species of Britain and
Europe. Never before have so many works of reference been available to the amateur and professional.
Anyone with enthusiasm, dedication and field experience can now tackle groups which would have
been almost impossible before without access to long out of print and difficult to obtain books.
In the coming year it is the author's intention to revise and amend the Boardman list of 1970; adding
in all the additional records, updating nomenclature and giving a commentary on various important
or puzzling records. All additional records, preferably with voucher specimens will be welcome.
References
Boardman, D. J. (1970) The fungi of Epping Forest. Part 1. Basidiomycetes. Essex Naturalist XXXII 277-29°.
Cooke. M. C. (1889) The Hymenomycetal Fungi of Epping Forest, with a catalogue of the species. Essex Naturalist III 248-271.
Graddon. W. D. (1946) Discomycetes Recorded in Essex. Essex Naturalist XXVII 19-29.
Kibby, G (1981) Mycology in Epping Forest - A Status Report. Bull. Essex Field Club 24 6-9.
Orton. P. D. and Watling, R. (1979) British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti. 2 Coprinaceae Part 1: Coprinus 1-147. HMSO/Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Pearson, A. A. (1938) List of the Fungi of Epping Forest (EFC)
Pearson, A. A. (1938) The Fungi of Epping Forest (Explanatory notes to the List). Essex Naturalist XXVI 123-129.
Plant, C. W. and Kibby G, (1984) The Fungi of Southern Epping Forest. The London Naturalist 63 34-52.
Ramsbottom, J. (1932, 1933. 1934) The History of Mycology in Essex. Essex Naturalist XXIV 167-178, 222-233, 268-296.
Ward, B. T. (1971) The Fungi of Epping Forest, Part 3. Myxomycetes, Essex Naturalist XXXII 337-340,
Watling, R. and Gregory, N. M. (1987) British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti, 5. Strophariaceae and Coprinaceae 1-121. Royal Botanic
Garden. Edinburgh.
Wilberforce. P. (1971) The Fungi of Epping Forest. Part 2. Ascomycetes. Essex Naturalist XXXII 331-336.
Woodlice and other Crustacea
Woodlice (Oniscoidea) are interesting in that they are the only group of Crustacea that have
successfully invaded the terrestrial environment. However, they still require a degree of humidity
and they are most likely to be found under logs or in moist leaf litter; on the margins of the Forest
discarded building rubble can be quite productive of species. The blind, white species Platyarthrus
hoffmannseggi is found only in ants nests. In the Forest, records have come from the nests of Lasius
niger and Lasius flavus (Connaught Club) and Myrmica ruginodis (North Long Hills). Woodlice feed
largely on decaying vegetable matter. Woodlice have been very little studied in the Forest; there are
fairly recent accounts in Frankel (1980) and Hanson (1983). The table below consists of literature
and other records made by myself, Mr. Brian Williamson, Mr. John Bratton and Mr. Peter Harvey.
The records were collected in the years 1976-1990.
In addition to these species, Armadillidum nasatum and Porcellio spinicornis were recorded in
August - September, 1985 from the Chingford area - the former in a greenhouse at Pimp Hall Park
(TQ 3893), the latter from a house at Connaught Avenue (TQ 3894) by John Bratton.
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