RECORDER'S REPORT FOR MYCOLOGY 2012 



Gordon Crutchfield 



When I received The Reading Naturalist in 2011, 1 was already aware that Malcolm Storey had given up 

 the post of Honorary Editor. As I turned immediately to the Mycology report, I commented that "I hope 

 he doesn't give up as Mycology recorder as well". A week later, Chris Bucke told me that Malcolm had 

 done so and Chris asked if I would take on the job. Whilst I accepted immediately, I made the point that 

 my knowledge is nothing like as extensive as Malcolm's. The world of fungi includes all those yeasts, 

 rusts, smuts, mildews, moulds and black spots about which Malcolm is knowledgeable. For most of us 

 fungi just means the large mushrooms and toadstools and unless I receive reports from other members, 

 my report will centre almost entirely on these species. On behalf of all fungus enthusiasts in the society, 

 I'd like to thank Malcolm for his efforts over the years. 



It seems that every recorder's report starts by blaming the unusual weather for some more species 

 appearing in previously unrecorded places, while the common species hardly show at all. 2012 started 

 with three dry months, when water shortages were already a threat. Then we had enormous volumes 

 of rain throughout the rest of the year. There was a 'flush' of fungi at the end of April and early May - 

 species that I normally associate with late summer and early autumn. However although the soil in our 

 woods was saturated throughout the summer, fungi were no more common than usual during this 

 period. It seems it's not just dampness that 'triggers' fungi to appear in September and October. With 

 wet weather and no significant frost until December, the season continued until the end of November. 



The following list is a summary of some of the less common species observed. 



BASIDIOMYCOTA 

 AGARICOMYCETES 



Boletales 

 Boletaceae 



Boletus edulis Cep or Penny Bun. 21 Oct 12, 

 California Country Park (GC). The species the 

 restaurants all want. 



Boletus badius Bay Boletus. 21 Oct 12, 

 California Country Park (GC). An equally good 

 edible. 



Boletus luridus Lurid Bolete. 11 Nov 12, 

 Wokefield Common (GC). One that we don't 

 often find. 



Boletales 

 Suillaceae 



Suillus bovinus Bovine Bolete. 21 Oct 12, 

 Califrnia Country Park (GC). 



Suillus granulatus Weeping Bolete. 21 Oct 12, 

 Califrnia Country Park (GC). 



Boletales 



Hygrophoropsidaceae 



Hygrophorus Aurantiaca False Chanterelle. 11 

 Nov 12. Wokefield Common (GC). Usually a 

 common species in conifer woodland, but 

 relatively rare in 2012. 



HOMOBASIDIOMYCETAE 

 Russulales 

 Russulaceae 



Russula rosea Rosy Brittlegill. 1 Oct 12 New 

 Copse, Gallowstree Common (TVFG), 7 Oct 12 

 Lambridge Wood, Bix (TVFG). 



Russula cyanoxantha Charcoal Burner 1 Oct 12 

 New Copse, Gallowstree Common (TVFG). 



Russula xerampelina Crab Brittlegill 12 Nov 12 

 Greenacres Helath centre, Greenham (TVFG). 



Russula sanguinaria Bloody Brittlegill 21 Oct 12 

 California Country Park (GC). 



Russula caerulea Humpback Brittlegill 21 Oct 12 

 California Country Park (GC). 



Russula betularum Birch Brittlegill 21 Oct 12 

 California Country Park (GC). 



AGARICOMYCETES 



Russulales 



Russulaceae 



Lactarius deterrimus False Saffron Milkcap 21 

 Oct 12 California Country Park (GC). 



Lactarius torminossus Wooly Milkcap 21 Oct 12 

 California Country Park (GC). 



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