Fungi

Fungi are not plants, as was thought to be so in the past, but in a separate Kingdom of their own.  In most cases, the main body of the fungus is hidden from view.  It is a network of threads (hyphae) collectively called a 'mycelium', which permeate the substrate on which the fungus grows.  The hyphae absorb nutrients and water from the substrate.  The reproductive spore-producing structures, such as the familiar mushroom or bracket, are the visible parts of the fungus. 

The Fungus Kingdom is extremely diverse, and includes many microfungi that are rarely recorded.  Most of the larger species are in one of two major divisions or Phylum, based on the way the fungus reproduces.  Basidiomycota (sometimes called 'spore-droppers') include mushrooms and toadstools, brackets, corals, puffballs, jellies, rusts and smuts. The Ascomycota or 'spore-shooters' includes cups, morels, yeasts and many other smaller fungi.  

Taxonomy is very complicated and is liable to change as the true relationships between species are worked out.  In the sections below, we have grouped fungi into categories based on their structure and appearance rather than their place in the scientific taxonomic hierarchy.  There is more information under each section.

Recording fungi

Always note the substrate or host-plant on which the fungus is growing, and the habitat.  To identify many large species, it is helpful to get a good photograph of the cap (from the top), the gills or spore-producing structures (from underneath) and the stipe or stem (from the side) - three images from three angles, rather than images from much the same angle. 

Always note the texture of cap and stipe; the smell; and the presence of any staining or 'milk' produced when the cap, gills, stipe or body of the fungus is bruised. 

The colour of the spores can be very helpful.  It is best seen by taking a spore-print from a collected specimen - advice on doing this is in many of the resources below.  For some fungi, microscopic examination of the spores may be needed for identification.

Resources

The Leicestershire Fungi Study Group is a great place to start if you want to learn about fungi. They welcome new members. Their annual programme of study forays is led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable leaders. There are also indoor microscopy sessions held in Leicester. This is a really excellent way to broaden your knowledge, and make friends who share your interest in fungi.

There are many field guides, but none of them contain all the fungi you will find, or have all the photos or information you need, so it is a good idea to check several different books and websites. 

• Kibby, G. 2020-2022. Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe, Volumes 1 - 4. (privately published)
• Laessoe,T. & Petersen,J. (2019)  Fungi of Temperate Europe. Princeton University Press, Volumes 1 and 2
• O'Reilly, P. (2016). Fascinated by Fungi. First Nature
• Sterry, P. & Hughes, B.  (2009). Complete guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools.  Collins
• Wood, E & Dunkelman, J.  (2017).  Grassland Fungi: a Field Guide.  Monmouthshire Meadows Group

Useful websites include Pat O'Reilly's First Nature website,  the Buckinghamshire Fungus Group, the Hampshire Fungus Recording Group and Fungi Outer Hebrides. 

The British Mycological Society website is a good source of information, mostly aimed at the expert. 

If you know of other websites or books that you would recommend, do let us know: info@naturespot.org

White moulds and other plant pathogens

A large family of ascomycetes, including many plant pathogens regarded as horticultural or agricultural pests. Most are host specific, so the starting point for identification is to accurately identify the host species; this must be noted in your record.

It includes the White Moulds (Ramularia spp.) - a large group of parasitic fungi, some of which cause significant diseases of crops and garden plants. Affected leaves have spots on the upper surface.  These are 'anamorph' species and reproduction is asexual via 'conidia'.  The fungal hyphae are embedded in the host tissue.  The conidia are borne on 'conidiophores' grouped into dense white or greyish tufts called 'caespituli', which usuallay emerge on the underside of the leaf from stomata - you should check for these using hand lens or low power microscope.  This is very different to the web of mycelia caused by Erysiphaceae - the powdery mildews.   A few hosts have several White Moulds, and in these cases microscopic examination of conidia is needed.   According to Chater et al, 2021 (ref. below), the sexual 'teleomorph' stages are known as Mycosphaerella species; they reproduce by ascospores formed in asci .  The counterpart Mycosphaerella to a Ramularia species has only been conclusively proven in a few cases.

In the galleries below, an exclamation mark after the Red camera icon means that microscopic examination is needed to identify species.  

Further information is in

• Chater, A.O., Woods, R.G., Stringer, R.N., Evans, D.A. & Smith, P.A. (2021) White Moulds, Ramularia and Phacellium Anamorphs, in Wales and Britain: a Guide and Welsh Census Catalogue. A.O.Chater: Aberystwyth.  This is available for download from https://www.aber.ac.uk/waxcap/downloads/Chater21-RamulariaWalesCensus.pdf
• Ellis, B.M & Ellis, J.P (1997) Microfungi on Land Plants: an identification handbook  (revised edition) Richmond Publ. Co.  Sadly out-of-print, 2nd copies occasionally become available.
• Plant Parasites of Europe: leafminers, galls and fungi.  Website also known as 'Bladmineerders' - maintained by Dr Willem N Ellis.

Mycosphaerellaceae