The website of the U.K.s leading charity in mycological conservation. ABFG members are all amateur enthusiasts who want to broaden their interest in fungi and to help with the conservation of mushrooms and toadstools as they come under increased threat from depletion of woodlands and changes in agricultural practice.
Is it April the first or is this just a good idea? Well, it’s the 31st of July…… If some mindless people rely on this the way they do their sat.navs – that is, without engaging their brain, then I predict an increase in fatalities rather than the reduction that the technology is supposed to result in!
PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.
There is no difference between mushrooms and toadstools although, by common usage the latter term has gradually become applied to toxic types. They are all agarics (i.e. fungi with gills beneath the cap).1
Mushrooms found in gardens or on lawns are highly unlikely to be seriously toxic but may cause gastrointestinal upsets or be hallucinogenic.
Mycologist Paul Stamets lists 6 ways fungal mycelium can help save the world: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu…(absolutely fascinating and if the arguments are sound, utterly brilliant!):
The list includes the 67 species of UK fungi that are currently proposed for Biodiversity Action Plans. For full details and images, click on the name of the species.
It is very difficult to assign a case of fungal poisoning on the basis of symptoms alone. The symptoms are often non-specific or too variable and where dishes contain a mixture of fungi several symptoms may overlie each other. Further, the amount of toxin contained in the fungi may vary in relation to the age and condition of the fungi. Nevertheless, symptomatology based diagnosis of poisoning by fungi is useful particularly if no material of the toxic fungi is available.
John recently wrote the excellent beginners/intermediates guide to fungi that I would highly recommend.
Here you can find lots of information and resources on British Fungi, including links to facts and superstitions, news, events and photographs of fungi in the UK.
Includes:
The UK’s Biggest Fungi Foragers Club
If you have arrived at this site then you probably have a passion for fungi foraging or are looking to gain knowledge about the hugely diverse and fascinating world of wild mushrooms. On the links below you will find a number of sections which will hopefully be a guide to you in your research. This site contains many pages and they are not always easy to find – if you get stuck, please try using the search box. This site has been created to assist newcomers to wild mushrooms and also, hopefully provide some useful information for others who are similarly passionate about the subject. You can also meet other foragers as well as post your latest finds for myself and others to help identify for you.
The British Mycological Society (BMS) was founded in 1896 and has some 1400 members from many countries around the world, reflecting its international status. Its sole objective is to promote mycology in all its aspects.
The Society serves the wide range of interests of its members which include Biochemistry, Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Ecology, Evolution, Fungal Interactions with animals and plants, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Physiology and Systematics.
The Society is also active in the promotion of Conservation and Field Mycology and in education through schools, universities and with the general public.
North American site for North American fungi. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of information here and many of the fungi you are likely to come across can be found here. There keys are easy to use. Start with a mushroom you know well and try them.
Collected resources regarding Fungi.