High Elms Fungi, December 2012

Panellus stipticus (Bitter Oysterling).  High Elms, 29 December 2012.

Here are some fungi from High Elms, seen on an Orpington Field Club walk at the end of December.   I have shown some of these species before, but that doesn't stop me liking these photos.

The Bitter Oysterling is indeed bitter to the taste, I have been assured by someone who has tried it.  It is also supposed to be able to stop the flow of blood from a cut, hence the name "stipticus" - but I don't know anyone who has tested that.  The scurfy appearance of the caps makes this one easy to spot.

Auricularia auricula-judae (Jelly Ear).  High Elms, 29 December 2012.

This one grows on dead Elder stems.  Elder grows fast and dies fast, so there are always plenty of these around.   It has a soft jelly texture and is supposedly edible.  I know one person who has tried it, and she does not recommend it.  But at least it is not actively poisonous.

Hypoxylon multiforme (Birch Woodwart).  High Elms, 29 December 2012.

There are several species of Woodwart, growing on different types of tree.  This one was not on a Birch, its normal home; I think this was a Chestnut.  But its appearance is typical, with those many small bumps with holes from which the spores escape.

Ascocoryne sarcoides (Purple Jellydisc).  High Elms, 29 December 2012.

This was on the same fallen tree.  It is supposed to resemble rotting meat, which it more or less does;  the appearance is at least quite unmistakeable.  

There seems to be another flush of fungi at the moment; not so much on the ground, but lots on dead wood.  The warm and exceptionally wet weather probably accounts for that.  The ground is too wet, but dead trees are just right.