Nick Jardine reports on the 2009 Cabinet of Natural History Fungus Hunt, which was held on 26 October.
Thanks to Tamara and a minibus, a record number of HPSers explored the King's Forest in splendid weather. Our finds were excellent. Guided by mycophage Jiri Hudecek we found lots of Boletes of the genus Suillus, including the following delicious ones: the Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei), the Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), the Velvet Bolete (Suillus variegatus) and the Weeping Bolete (Suillus granulatus). In addition we saw a single specimen of the fairly rare Suillus viscidus and enormous numbers of the very rare Suillus collinitus: very similar to Suillus granulatus, but with pink underground rootlets. It is reputed to be indigestible, but was eaten with no ill effects by Jiri. Other edible ones included the uncommon sweet-scented Flowery Blewit (Lepista irina) and the Wood Mushroom (Agaricus silvicola). Another Agaricus, only once before definitely recorded in Britain, Agaricus depauperatus, was found by Romilly Jardine. This looks rather like the Horse Mushroom (Agaricus arvensis), but lacks the smell of aniseed and stains dull mauve where bruised.
