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

Boletes: fungi that have caps with pores

These fungi have spongy tissue made up of long narrow tubes ending in pores on the underside of the caps. Unlike some stemmed polypores (see Lentinus, etc.) the tubes can easily be detached from the flesh.  The spores are usually olive-green or brown, and drop out from the pores.  

• Photograph a fresh specimen from top down, in side view and underneath to show pores and full length of stem. 
• Don't try and identify one that is over-mature, or has been over-nibbled by slugs or is infested with maggots. 
• Substrate and plant associations are important; always note the tree species if it is found under trees
• Photograph or note the texture of cap (e.g. felted, slimy, sticky, scaly, cracking) and note or photograph any colour change below the outer cap surface (the subcuticular layer) - e.g. where is has been nibbled.
• Note the size and colour of the pores
• Photograph or note the detailed surface texture of the stipe, which may be smooth or covered in a fine net or reticulation (see cep) dots or scales (see orange birch bolete).  
• Photograph or note whether a stem ring is present (as in some Suillus species e.g. the Larch bolete)  
• Many species change colour when bruised (example: blue coloration on bruised pores of bay bolete). It is helpful to slice a specimen vertically through the cap and stipe to show the flesh colour and areas of staining.  Note colour of flesh and any flushed areas of a different colour; note any blue-green stains and whether this developes slowly or quickly; note which part of the specimen (e.g cap flesh, top or base of stipe) the colour change is seen. 

There is more information in Kibby, G. ( 2017) British Boletes, with keys to species (8th edn., privately publ.). Verification from photos can be difficult - colours and textures do not always transfer well - and we recommend that identification is checked from a specimen, preferably by following a key or with expert advice.   Taxonomy can be confusing; some species appear in various sources under a range of dfferent names.  In the gallery below, we have followed names on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) in January 2026, but have added synonyms to the species pages. 

Some related fungi have gills rather than pores - e.g. the Roll-rims, False Chanterelle and Spikes - so we have included these in the Gill Fungi section (see Paxillaceae, Hygrophoropsidaceae and Gomphidiaceae).

Boletaceae - Boletes

Suillaceae - Boletes