Morel is known by the botanical name Morchella esculenta

Description of Morel

It grows in woodland clearings, pastures, sandy soil under broadleaf soil especially ash and elm between March – May Cap covered in deep honeycomb like pits, cap, stem form one continuous chamber. Cap variable globular in shape 3-6cm/1-2in deeply pitted. Colours light brown – dark brown. Brittle. Gills cap fused to stem No ring

Culinary Uses

Stews

Other Notes

Only appear for a few days often after warm rain

Horse mushroom is known by the botanical name Agaricus arvensis

Description of Horse Mushroom

It grows in pastures, and on lawns between July and November. They are large and can grow up to 15cm/6in with white caps that yellow with age smells of almonds. Cap up to 20cm/8in across when mature bruises yellow/brown on handling. Ring double

Culinary Uses

Stuffed, grilled

Caution

Avoid if they turn bright yellow or pink when sliced or if they have white gills

Oyster mushroom is known by the botanical Name Pleurotus ostreatus

Habitat

Dead ash and beech trees

Description

Fan shaped bracket growing on tree trunks or branches up to 20cm/8in across. Cap well shaped convex at first then flat grey or slate blue in colour. Gills white and deep Flesh white, soft, rubbery

Culinary Uses

Sauces, deep fried, stewed

image copyright john myers
 

Botanical Name

Langermannia gigantean

Description

Meadows, pastures, under hedges July – November. Large 10-30cm/4-12in across. Skin white smooth and leathery Little or no stalk

Culinary Uses

Fry, grill or bake

image copyright david lally

Jew’s ear is known by the botanical name Auricularia auricula-judae

Description of Jew’s Ear

It is common on elder. It is an ear shaped bracket fungus which grows to 2-7cm/1-3in Red/brown in clusters gelatinous and soft when young. Upper surface more velvety and brown underside pink

Culinary Uses

Stew for at least 45 minutes

image copyright david lally

Blewit wood mushrooms is known as the botanical name Lepista nuda

Description of Blewit Wood Mushroom

It is similar to field blewit. Its cap is 5-10cm/2-4in across turning reddish with age. It is sweet smelling. The gills are crowded. The stem is stout a little swollen at base. It does not have a ring

Culinary Uses

Do not use raw

Botanical Name

Phallus impudicus

Habitat

Rotten wood

Description

Phallic shaped with egg shaped cap

image copyright john fielding