Interesting fungus records in 2006
Tony Boniface 40 Pentland Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4AZ
Geastrum coronatum. This rarely reported earthstar was found for the second time in
the county in Birchanger Wood.
Geastrum triplex. Fruiting bodies of this common earthstar from last year were
found in Marks Hill Wood.
Gyroporus cyanescens is rarely reported. This very distinctive bolete which is yellow
and turns blue on cutting, was found in Parson's Spring Wood, which is a new record
for Essex.
Boletus luridus was sent to me by Del Smith from a site in South Ockendon. This is a
chalkland species with one modern record in Essex and one in Epping Forest from 1882!
It has a red net from top to bottom of its thick stem which when cut is red. The cap flesh
turns blue, and there is a red line above the tubes visible in a cut section. The lack of
suitable calcareous habitats for this bolete accounts for it's rarity in our county.
Boletus radicans is a common species of bolete, but there was a magnificent display
in a front garden in Shenfield completely covering the lawn which had a very large
oak tree in the corner. I would have loved to have had these growing in my lawn but
alas the owner only wanted to get rid of them!
Leccinum pseudoscabrum (= carpini) This bolete was recorded in Swan Wood near
Stock and in Hatfield Forest. It is an occasional species which grows under hornbeam.
our most typically Essex tree.
Boletus pulverulentus is another occasional bolete which turns rapidly dark blue
giving it its common name of Inkstain Bolete. It was found in South Weald Park.
Agaricus litoralis (=spissicaulis). This mushroom is rarely reported but is very
distinctive with a very bulbous stipe, which could be regarded as sufficient grounds to
regard it as a separate species. I found it in Hanningfield Reservoir nature reserve.
Agaricus moelleri. This mushroom is often wrongly called Agaricus placomyces
which is an American species. I found it growing on a verge in a suburban road near
my house.
Agaricus bohusii. A splendid, fasciculate clump was found by Marian Bagshaw at the
base of a fence along a suburban road in Springfield, Chelmsford. This is the third
record for Essex of this nationally rare mushroom.
Agaricus osecanus A further two records of this mushroom were made in South
Weald Park, and Hatfield Forest making a total of three in Essex.
Russula violeipes This beautiful brittlegill was found in South Weald Park and
Parson's Spring Wood. It is an occasional species.
Pluteus leoninus was found in Birchanger Wood. The identity of this species has been
confused with similar toadstools and it may be much more common than its rare Red
data book status suggests. It has a filamentous cuticle unlike its commoner look-alike
Pluteus chrysophaeus.
Entoloma sinuatum the Livid Pinkgill is not often recorded. It is a large, poisonous
toadstool found in Mark's Hill wood.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 52, January 2007
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