The fungi of Fryerning Churchyard, 2003 update
GRAHAM SMITH
48, The Meads, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 OAE
Having endured one of the poorest fungi seasons on record in 2002 few of us thought that 2003 would
be even worse. Alas, it was. Fine weather set in during March and it remained largely dry and sunny
until early November, temperatures reaching almost tropical levels in early August. There were no
spring fungi at all in the churchyard and only one species of waxcap appeared in the autumn, followed
by a second in January 2004! Most other large agarics had an equally poor season - no Russula or
Lactarius showed at all for instance. Indeed, only one day - November 25th produced a decent foray
and that was mainly of 'little brown jobs1. Thus, this year's update proved very easy to write. As in
2001 and 2002, the species are listed in alphabetical order for ease of access.
Agaricus campestris ssp. squamosus: one on 13th November.
Boletus calopus: a single large specimen on 25th November.
Clitocybe metachroa (= C. dicolor): several together under pine on 25th November. Clitocybe,
together with Collybia and Mycena, were among the few agarics to enjoy a good season this year.
Coprinus comatus Lawyer's Wig: the first record from the churchyard of this common grassland
species occurred on 13th November. They ended up in the frying pan!
Hemimycena lactea: a delicate white species with an icing-sugar cap. Abundant in grass under
pine and yew on 25lh November.
Heterobasidion annosum; found on a buried Scots Pine stump by Tony Boniface during an EFC
foray on 31st October.
Hymenocyphus scutula; common on rotting Centaura nigra stems on 26th October.
Leccinum variicolor: a single specimen was found growing under birch by Tony Boniface during
an EFC foray on 31st October. The best find of the year as this species has only been recorded from
three other sites outside Epping Forest.
Mycena epiterygia var. pelliculosa; found in mossy turf close to pines on 25th November.
Mycena olivaceomarginata: common in unimproved mossy grassland on 13th December.
Myxarium nucleatum: this jelly-like fungus was found growing on a log pile in the conservation
area on 31st December.
Pleurotus pulmonarius Pallid Oyster Fungus: discovered by Tony Boniface during an EFC foray
on 31st October.
Polyporus brumalis Winter Polypore: several growing on a log pile in the conservation area on
25lh November.
Psathyrella microhiza: a common member of a very difficult family. It is only in seasons like this
that you can devote the time to them! The large spores (relatively speaking), lageniform (bottle-
shaped) pleurocystidia, red-edged gills and distinct veil appear to be diagnostic of this species.
Several together beneath a boundary hedge on 25th November.
Stropharia cyanea; a single specimen on a recently tended grave on 25th November. The presence
of chrysocystidia on the surface of the fruit body and the lack of a white edge to the gills appear to
be characteristic of this species.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)