Mushrooms, fungi and waxcaps at Hardcastle Crags

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Wild mushroom fruiting bodies collected from Hardcastle Crags

The variety of habitats make Hardcastle Crags and the surrounding area an excellent site to find all types of Fungi.

Table of Contents

 

Mushroom species you can find in and around Hardcastle Crags:

Mushroom SpeciesDescriptionBest Time of Year
Oyster MushroomGrows in clusters on dead or dying trees, has a fan-shaped cap and white gills.Autumn
Chicken of the WoodsGrows on dead or dying hardwood trees, has a bright orange or yellow cap and wavy, lacy gills.Summer and autumn
Giant PuffballThe largest puffball in the world, can grow up to 2 feet in diameter.Summer and autumn
Penny Bun/PorciniGrows in groups on the ground in woodlands, has a brown cap and yellow pores.Summer and autumn
ChanterelleGrows in clusters on the ground in woodlands, has a bright orange or yellow cap and wavy, forked gills.Summer and autumn
Shaggy InkcapGrows on the ground in woodlands, has a brown cap with shaggy scales and white gills.Summer and autumn
Jelly EarGrows on dead or dying wood, has a gelatinous, ear-shaped body.Summer and autumn
Fly AgaricA poisonous mushroom, has a bright red cap with white spots and a white stem.Summer and autumn
Razor Strop FungusA brightly colored mushroom, has a red or orange cap with yellow gills.Summer and autumn
Field MushroomA common mushroom, has a white cap and gills and a brown stem.Summer and autumn
Fairy InkcapA small, inky mushroom, has a white cap and gills that turn black as the mushroom matures.Summer and autumn
Velvet ShankA small, brown mushroom, has a velvety cap and gills.Summer and autumn
Wood BlewitA small, blue mushroom, has a blue cap and gills.Summer and autumn
Saffron MilkcapA small, orange mushroom, has a bright orange cap and gills.Summer and autumn
Ink CapA small, inky mushroom, has a white cap and gills that turn black as the mushroom matures.Summer and autumn
Hedgehog FungusA large, spiky mushroom, has a brown cap and spines.Summer and autumn
MaitakeA large, fan-shaped mushroom, has a brown cap and white gills.Summer and autumn

Please note that this is just a small selection of the many mushroom species that can be found in woodland in the north of England. It is important to always consult a reputable field guide before foraging for mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous.

Waxcap mushroom species:

Hardcastle crags is or soon will be a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)for waxcaps.

Waxcap SpeciesDescriptionBest Time of Year
Hygrocybe puniceaA brightly colored waxcap, has a red cap with white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe conicaA small, waxcap, has a conical cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe quietaA small, waxcap, has a yellow cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe subcoccineaA small, waxcap, has a scarlet cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe sphaerosporaA small, waxcap, has a grayish-brown cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe flavescensA small, waxcap, has a yellow cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe laetaA small, waxcap, has a yellow cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe miniataA small, waxcap, has a bright orange cap and white gills.Summer and autumn
Hygrocybe cervicolorA small, waxcap, has a pale yellow cap and white gills.Summer and autumn

Please note that this is just a small selection of the many waxcap mushroom species that can be found in in the land around Hardcastle Crags.

It is important to always consult a reputable field guide before foraging for mushrooms, as some species can be poisonous.

Here are some additional tips for foraging for waxcaps:

  • Waxcaps are most abundant in late summer and autumn.
  • Look for waxcaps in moist, shady woodlands.
  • Waxcaps often grow in clusters.
  • Be sure to identify waxcaps correctly before eating them. Some species are poisonous.
  • If you are unsure about an identification, it is always best to leave the mushroom alone.