WHEN
AND WHERE DO FUNGI GROW
Fungi
mainly appear in the autumn months, however a plentiful supply of species grow
beyond this period and may be seen all year round. Fungi in general need a good
level of moisture to assist them in the production of fruit bodies, and this
level needs to be sustained over a specific period dependant on the species
(approximately 2 – 10 days), rather than one deluge of rain. Once the first
fruit bodies appear growth is rather rapid with spores released almost upon the
opening of the pores or gills.
Dependant
on the weather conditions and environment some fruit bodies may last for weeks
but some may be here and gone within a very short period due to frost, slug or
animal attack or the species requirements. For example, birch polypores, a form
of bracket fungus can remain on the stem of a silver birch for many years
whereas members of the Russula family are almost instantly under slug attack
from the moment they appear making it almost impossible for the collector to
find a good specimen.
No matter
what form they take, fungi grow in a wide range of areas provided the species
requirements are present. Obviously woodland is the most prolific growing area
for fungi due to its variety of plant life and abundance of decaying matter.
Meadows and fields are good areas to search as well as coastal areas, roadside
verges and your own back garden. Basically wherever there is dead and decaying
matter as well as a wide range of plant life, fungi are likely to be found.
Each
species of fungi requires its own growth habitat in order to succeed, for
instance Jelly Babies (Leotia lubrica), Glistening Ink Cap (Coprinius
micaceus) and Oyster Mushroom (Pluerotus ostreatus) all
prefer deciduous woodland whereas Plums and Custard (Tricholomopsis rutilans),
False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) and Slippery Jack (Suillus
luteus) grow mainly in coniferous woodland and yet species such as
Blackening Russula (Russula nigricans), The Blusher (Amanita
rubescens) and Tawny Grisette (Amanita fulva) seemingly
have no preference at all.
Some
species are very strict on their growing conditions and specific requirements
must be met. The Ugly Milk Cap (Lactarius turpis) requires not
only a proliferation of birch trees under which to grow but also damp conditions
as well. Jews Ear has a liking for elder trees and the Larch Bolete (Suillus
grevillei) requires larch trees to be successful. So it is important to
remember to aid identification a note must be made of the habitat where the
fungi was found.