QUODITCH EDUCATION DEVON

 This page contains details of the various ascomycetes that we have found at Quoditch.
Ascomycetes form the largest group of fungi and are so named because their fruiting body is known as an "Ascus"

LEOTIACEAE (JELLY DISCS) 

	This is the Green Wood Cup (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) which can be found all over the area. It only appears in this form, with its fruiting bodies showing as small "ears", in the Autumn . However it can be found easily all year round because it stains the wood green/cyan.
For the rest of the year the wood looks like this. At one time this stained wood was highly prized as a veneer. It was used in the manufacture of marquetry work known as "Tunbridge Ware". It is dotted around the whole site, but we have put several pieces on display in the woods in field six near the stream.

 

	This is Ascocoryne Sarcoides growing in October 1997 on a tree stump in Field Four. The colour is a bit deeper than the picture shows.

	This is Candle-snuff fungus ( Xylaria hypoxylon) which is quite widespread, growing on dead wood around the land. It is sometimes known as "Stag's Horn Fungus".

EARTH TONGUE FAMILY (GEOGLOSSACEAE)

Mitrula Paludosa (Commonly known as Swamp Candles or Bog Beacons) can be found in the ditch at the north end of the fourth field. This field is particularly rich in fungi. These were found in the early part of April 1998

LARGE CUP FUNGI (Pezizaceae)

Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcocypha sp.) This lives on the buried, decaying branches of the willows and likes the damp soil found in broadleaved woods. This is either Sarcocypha Coccinea or Sarcocypha austriaca. But, according to an article in British Wildlife (Feb 1999), it is impossible to tell the difference without a microscope.

REFERENCES

Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain and Europe, Roger Phillips   (Macmillan  Reference 1994)

British Wildlife (Feb 99)

Country Guides - Fungi of Britain and Northern Europe, Paul Sterry (Chancellor Press 1991)

A Magna Field Guide - Mushrooms, Mirko Svrcek (Magna Books 1994)

Encyclopaedia of Fungi - Gerrit J Keiser (Rebo Productions 1997)

Field Guide to the Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe - David Pegler (Kingfisher Books 1998)

PHOTOGRAPHS on this web site may be freely used for non-profitmaking educational purposes. For other uses please contact us.

Return to HOMEPAGE