Tony Hardware's Fungi Finds: Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

Monday, 15 October 2018

Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall - 14th October 2018

After stormy weather during the preceding few days a gap in the weather allowed me to visit this delightful site, one I have meant to make for years. The southerly pathway was closed due to falling trees but the whole area is excellent for observing from the pathways even if you cannot be seen diving into bushes or seen on lawns that are not for walking on. Not so much a tree speciality site which I prefer like other gardens in the area which are almost arboretums, but lots of smaller plants and woodlands to explore, small lakes and even a rare species animal farm. While traversing the early pathways I came across the bright and sunny Orange Peel Fungus or Aleuria aurantia, which is always good to see. The next species of interest was Brown Rollrim or Paxillus involutus. At first I thought this was the very large Russula species R. foetens, but on closer inspection and seeing the gills were darker than at first seen and slightly still rolling rim, hence name, then opted for the former. The following species I first thought were a more common type of Dapperling, L. cristata but after checking, this tuned out to be Skullcap Dapperling or Leucocoprinus brebissonii. Uncommon, probably missed by many as looking very similar to the previous mentioned species but the high white gills convinced me plus lack of smell. The other highlights was an excellent restaurant/cafe which had a Sunday Roast available, loads of specially made cakes and everything else that's bad for you so enjoyed my time there as well! And - not at rip off tourist prices either - a pleasant change from other locations.