Fungi

Coprinus plicalitis

This small and delicate member of the ink-cap family resembles a pleated parasol. The name ink-cap comes from their aging process where a black inky fluid drips from under their cap. They are found from spring to autumn in pastures and lightly wooded areas of Gwynedd.

Coprinus plicalitis

Dryad’s Saddle

A large, solid-looking bracket fungus, covered in brown scales, which can grow up to 60cms across. It is parasitic and found fairly commonly in Gwynedd on deciduous trees, particularly ash and beech. The English name "Dryad's saddle" refers to tree nymphs in Greek mythology called Dryads who could fit and ride on this mushroom.

Dryad’s Saddle

Fly Agaric

This characteristic toadstool of fairy tale books is found throughout birch and conifer woodlands in Gwynedd, and is the most easily recognisable of our fungi. In Lapland, reindeer may get high on them and be seen to leap around, giving rise to the story of Santa's flying reindeer. As the name suggests it was once used as an insecticide, with pieces floated in milk, to kill flies attracted by its aroma. Fly Agaric contains toxins, which lead to hallucinogenic effects which have long been a part of ceremony and ritual. To minimise toxic side effects it would be processed in some way. The Celtic Druids for example would purify themselves by fasting and meditating for three days, drinking only water.

Fly Agaric

Giant Puffball

This fungus is a feature of rich pastures, along hedge bottoms and woodland margins in Gwynedd. You may find it in late summer at Eithinog Fields in Bangor. They are very variable in size and can grow as large as 1.5 metres in diameter! As they mature, they lose the firm white fleshy centre, and within the fungus develop millions of spores which are then released in clouds.

Giant Puffball

Scarlet Wax Cap

The brightly-coloured wax caps are found in grassland which has not been intensively improved for agriculture. There are 63 types of wax cap in Britain, all of which are shiny, and most have a conical cap. The scarlet wax cap often has a yellow base to the stem. They are commonly found in pastures, lawns and coastal grasslands throughout Gwynedd.

Scarlet Wax Cap