Autumn fungi at Corrieshalloch Gorge NNR

Angel’s wings (Pleurocybella porrigens) is a distinctive white mushroom, common to Scotland and northern England but relatively scarce elsewhere in the UK. This small, oyster-like fungus grows in clusters on well-decayed conifer logs, with delicate funnel-shaped caps that spread out (like wings). Pleurocybella means ‘side by side’, and porrigens, ‘extending horizontally’, referring to how it grows.

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is the quintessential fairytale toadstool, widely recognised for its vivid red-and-white speckled cap. Common throughout the UK, fly agaric can be found growing in woodland areas. It is often seen close to birch, spruce and pine trees, where it transfers nutrients to their roots. Fly agaric is so named because it was used as an insecticide in the past. The cap would be broken up into a saucer of milk to both attract and kill flies.

This mushroom also has a strong connection with mythology and symbolism due to its links with traditional customs in some cultures. In Scandinavian and Arctic regions, shamans used fly agaric in their rituals and gifted each other the mushroom during the winter solstice. Reindeer, integral to the livelihood of these people, also developed a taste for the mushroom. Some have speculated that this shaman custom of sharing dried mushrooms, delivered by reindeer, may have inspired the Father Christmas custom. Certainly, the red and white colours of the mushroom are similar to his outfit. Closer to home, Victorian and Edwardian Christmas cards featured fly agaric illustrations as a symbol of good luck.

Sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) is a common sight in woodlands across the UK and can be found huddled together on decaying wood and tree stumps. The caps have a distinctive cream or sulphur-yellow colour (hence the name), which grow more orange towards the centre. The element fasciculare stems from the Latin word meaning ‘in bundles’ or ‘clustered’, due to its social growing habits.

Birch polypore (Fomitopsis betulina, previously Piptoporus betulinus) is a distinctive bracket fungus that only grows on birch trees. It can be seen year-round protruding from the bark of living or dead trees and is found widely across the UK. Initially round or hoof-shaped, the body flattens with age and has smooth, pale-brown flesh. Birch polypore is also known as ‘razor-strop fungus’ as its tough, leathery flesh was once used to sharpen knives.

Pleated inkcap (Parasola plicatilis) is a very delicate member of the inkcap family. Although common throughout the UK, it is a short-lived mushroom, appearing one evening after rainfall before disappearing the following day. Also known as ‘little Japanese umbrella’, it has a fragile, pale-grey cap, supported by a fine stem, and is reminiscent of a miniature cocktail umbrella. The word plicatilis means pleated, referring to the ribbed texture of the cap.

Named for its vivid tangerine flesh and contorted rosette appearance, orange peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia) is a distinctive but common sight throughout the UK. It grows in clusters in grass and soil, often in patches that have become worn or exposed, such as at the edges of a path. The word aurantia means ‘golden’, referring to the brilliant colour of the mushroom, which resembles orange peel strewn on the ground.