Wyre Forest Oct 2004

A Fungus Foray in Wyre Forest October 2004

All right, I know Wyre Forest isn't (a) in the Cotswolds or (b) very near the Malvern Hills but it is an area, near the Shropshire border and the town of Bewdley, that is great for walking. Hundreds of acres of deciduous woodland are interspersed with pines and other conifers, there are miles of well-marked paths and many more miles of pathways and tracks for those familiar with map-reading. What? Don't know how to use a map? Shame on you! After all my hard work on the subject, too. (Click here to go to the map-reading bit.)

Anyway, we went on a fungus foray there the other day and, despite the rain, had a very interesting walk. The group, led by an expert mycologist (fungus guru!) found what I thought was an incredible variety of fungi in all sizes, shapes and colours. It's amazing what lies by the side of the track if you just take time to look - this points up my philosophy that country walking isn't about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible but is rather about taking time out to look around you and enjoy what's there.

Anyway, I hope you like the photos - unfortunately I couldn't remember all the names as the rain made it impossible to write legibly, so if anyone out there can help me out I'd be grateful. Just one last thing - please don't eat any fungi you might pick unless you know absolutely what you're doing. They might not kill you but I've heard that having your stomach pumped out is not the most pleasant thing in the world!

The Amethyst Deceiver. I don't know why it has this name but it does sound good, doesn't it?

I was told that these tiny fungi, commonly called bachelor's buttons, are a canker - a not very nice name for what is a fascinating object

These are called Blewitts and are edible. Identifying them isn't easy, though

No mistaking this - the Fly Agaric and definitely NOT edible!

Fungi seem to like the cut ends of old logs

Different sorts on different wood - see, even fungi have their favourites!

Unknown types in the next photos - help please!