Fabulous Fungi

If you look carefully into the undergrowth and on piles of rotting wood you may see the fruiting bodies of fungi appearing all over the park.

Fungi decompose organic matter such as rotting branches, fallen dead wood and leaf litter from trees to release nutrients back into the soil to increase fertility. These nutrients are then taken up by the roots of plants, trees and organisms within that ecosystem.

Fungi have associations with specific plant roots and will often appear in the same places every year. The interaction between fungi and plant roots can protect trees from diseases and transfer nutrients between trees with an excess of nutrients, to those with a shortage.

Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi, consisting of a network of underground threadlike structures called hyphae, playing a crucial role in nutrient absorption.

Some species of fungi can be detrimental to tree health and cause fungal decay, which may cause the tree to become brittle and unstable. The Birch Polypore is an example of this and will appear if a Birch tree develops a crack or weakness. It is also known as Razor Strop because in the past it was dried and used to sharpen barbers’ razors.

The images above show

• The colourful Fly Agaric is often found under Birch trees

• Turkeytail is a decomposer that grows on dead wood

• Birch Polypore or Bracket

• Young Puffballs look like pin cushions- this common fungi releases its spores in a brown cloud when it matures and is hit by rain or animals.

Please remember: while some fungi are edible, many are toxic and can cause serious illness if eaten. Unless you are an expert in identification and preparation, we strongly advise against picking or consuming any wild mushrooms.