beach, as was Frosted Oranche Atriplex laciniata. After crossing the new bridge over
the creek, we collected some of the short, curved-leaved very pruniose Fescue, which
was very abundant just above high tide level along the margins of the track by the houses
on stilts, and admired the extensive colonies of lichen on the grey dune inland of the
creek. To make sure we were believed in the future, Arthur Copping was consulted on
the Festuca and announced that it is currently assigned to Festuca rubra ssp. juncea
Hack.) K.Richt. In previous years we have searched the coastal segment from Walton
back to Frinton, and from Frinton to Holland. Next year we plan to survey another
segment of this fascinating coastline.
Crowsheath Wood Fungal Foray, 9 October 2005
Barbara Chapman 20 Linden Road, Runwell, Wickford, Essex SSH 7LR
For me, the most exciting thing about going on a fungal foray is that you can never be
certain of what you will find. Even in a wood that you know well, different weather
conditions and different visiting dates mean that surprises and also disappointments
may happen.
A good attendance of 15 people (5 from Essex Field Club, 10 from Wickford Wildlife
Society) meant that shaip-eyed searchers ranged through the wood, resulting in a basket
of over 40 specimens, 10 of which are new additions to the list for this reserve. The
species list is growing year by year. Last year's wetter weather gave rise to a grand array
of fungi, and when Mary Smith and I collected on October 21st 2004, 37 new species
were added, all thanks to Mary's expertise in identification. With the help of Tony
Boniface and Martin Gregory, the list continues to grow very nicely. I am much indebted
to those mentioned above, mindful of the hours spent at home identifying, long after the
fun of the foray.
Warmed by a beautifully sunny autumn morning, we set off up the main path, quickly
finding impressively large Shaggy Parasols Macrolepiota rhacodes, dozens of the
poisonous Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, and the pretty Lilac Bonnet Mycena pura.
A Webcap Cortinarius sp. was collected, but proved impossible to key out, this is a
notoriously difficult genus. The 'scent' of Stinkhorn Phallus impudicus was on the air as
usual, much better to smell were the lovely Aniseed Funnels Clitocybe odora, a delicate
blue/green colour when young. Also beautiful to look at were the Amethyst Deceiver
Laccaria amethystina, not so lovely were the Ugly Milkcaps Lactarius turpis. A new
Milkcap record, the Mild Milkcap L. subdulcis, was added, as were two Russulas,, the
Charcoal Burner R. cyanoxantha, and the Coral Brittlegill R. velenovskyi. Other new
additions were Grey Coral Clavulina cinerea, a common but strange looking species,
just like a piece of marine coral, but rubbery, and the Nitrous Bonnet Mycena
leptocephala, with a strong smell. Old specimens of Boletes were everywhere, coloured
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 49, January 2006 23