Interesting fungus records for Autumn 2002
TONY BONIFACE
40 Pentland Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4AZ
The year was notable for the absence of the larger agarics due to the lack of rain. One of the few
large terrestrial toadstools was Lactarius glaucescens in the grounds of Writtle College. Waxcaps
were few and appeared late in November and December. Little Leighs churchyard produced nine
species including a small, solitary specimen of Hygrocybe calyptriformis.
However, many lignicolous species did occur on wood, apparently less affected by the dry conditions.
A magnificent fruiting body of Grifola frondosa appeared in Crowsheath Wood. Other lignicolous
species included Lentinellus cochleatus and the unusual Pholiota scamba at the same location.
Stropharia aurantiaca continued its spread across the wood chips of Essex, being found in
Hanningfield Nature Reserve. The easily overlooked species Hymenoscyphus fructigenus was
located on acorn cups in Norsey Wood. The earthstar Geastrum striatum was found in Galleywood
churchyard. Overall, this was a very disappointing season for fungi.
Essex gall report 2001 - 2002
JERRY BOWDREY
Colchester Museums, 14 Ryegate Road, Colchester CO1 1YG
This report covers the years 2001 and 2002. Whilst the recorder" has not been exactly inundated
with records, at least one member has been systematically recording galls in his area in the west of
the county and others have passed on records made in the pursuit of their general researches, such
as Mark Hanson's (MH) survey of Hylands Park. Three-gall inducing species thought to be new to
the Essex list were recorded in this period. All records are the author's unless otherwise specified.
Fungi
Galled fruits (sloes) of Blackthorn Prunus spinosa induced by the fungus Taphrina pruni continue
to be widespread, several being found at Friar's Grove, Colchester (TM0126) in June 2001.
Distortions caused by the fungus Puccinia smyrni on leaves of Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum
were common at Dovercourt (TM2631) on 16 May 2002. This species seems to be found wherever
the host plant grows in the county, especially on the coast. Similar distortions are found on Common
Nettle Urtica dioica, caused by the fungus Puccinia caricina. This species occurs where nettles
grow in damp conditions such as at Bull Meadow, Colchester (TM0025) on 24 May 2002.
Insects
Galls of the psyllid Psylla buxi on Box Buxus sempervirens and the curious dehiscent galls on
Lime Tilia sp. caused by the midge Didymomyia tiliacea (~ D. reaumuriana) at Hylands Park were
both new to TL60 (MH).
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)