Fungi
There are thousands of varieties of Fungi to be found in the UK and our nature reserves are home to many strange and colourful varieties.
Click on a photo below to scroll through a gallery of a few spectacular varieties:
Chicken of the Woods is a parasitic organism that decays dead trees and causes brown heart rot in live trees. This makes it both a parasitic and saporic organism. Photo by Carrie Riches, June 2013.
This is an unusual form of the Coral Spot (Nectria coccinea).
Jew's Ear or Jelly Ear fungus is conspicuously ear shaped, ranging from purple to dark brown in colour with a rubbery texture, and most often found on dead elder trees but also on elm and beech trees. Photo by Carrie Riches, April 2014.
Alfred's Cakes or Cramp Balls is common in broadleaved woodland, and the fruiting bodies are small, hard, rounded balls which grow on dead trees. Supposedly bushcrafters use them as tinder. Photo by Carrie Riches, April 2014.
This is a picture of a Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon Pyriforme).
This is a picture of the Tawny Funnel (Lepista Flaccida).
Turkey Tail fungus can be found all through the year, but it is most obvious in the winter months when deciduous trees are bare. This very variable fungus grows mainly on dead hardwood, including stumps and standing dead trees as well as fallen branches. Photo by Jeremy Porter, March 2014.
The Dryad's Saddle is a type of bracket fungus to be found growing on old tree stumps. This species can get very large and they regulary exceed 30cm in diameter.
The Common Earthstar is a spectacular woodland fungus found in early to late autumn. It is a type of puff-ball with a protective outer covering that folds back to give this highly unusual star shape. The spores are released when raindrops hit the central ball.
The Parasol Mushroom can be found in autumn in both woodlands and their caps have been recorded over 25cm in diameter!
The Scarlet Elf Cup is another amazing fungus, often seen throughout the year growing on old, decaying branches. They even live up to their name as after rain they do indeed hold water.
The Scarlet Waxcaps are a particulary striking fungus with intense colours ranging from bright yellow, orange or red as seen here. They are usually found in rough grasslands or, if growing in woodland as in this picture, they are a good indicator that the wood was grassland not that long ago.
You can find out more about fungi on the great website run by the North Somerset and Bristol Fungus Group