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Further notes on Amanita in Hampshire and the Isle of wight
Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998
Further Notes on Amanita in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight GRAHAM MATTOCK 16 Gordon Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire 8023 OQQ
The first 'Amanita in Hampshire' paper (Mycologist 9: 15-17, 1995) generated substantial feedback, indicating a lively interest in the genus. Subsequently, publication of the Fungi of the New Forest (FNF) (Dickson & Leonard, 1996) with detailed site records and the formation of the Hampshire Fungus Group (HFG) in 1995 with new data arising from group forays and members' records, has led to further understanding. Species are arranged in subgenera following Bon (1987). More familiar names are retained and updated names used by Bon are included in brackets. Subgenus Amanita (Ring on stem, cap margin striate) The brief mention of the apparently unrecorded A. gemmata (Fr.) Gillet (A. junquillea Que!.), very rare according to Phillips (1981) brought several letters detailing its occurrence in Hampshire. I was fortunate to see this species during a late October 1995 HFG foray at Roydon Woods Nature Reserve in the New Forest. A photograph taken on this foray, appearing on the back cover of Mycologist 10 part 2, shows the distinctive yellow cap with scattered white veil fragments and striate margin, also the compact basal bulb. The subsequent publication of the FNF also gives one Roydon record and an additional New Forest site. I have also received details of a sighting from north Hants. All records were late in the year, always with conifers. The apparent increase in the appearance of this species reflects a trend found in other areas of Britain, many groups having recent records for A. gemmata in their foray reports. It has also been recorded from the urban environment of Southampton Common where, earlier in the year, the closely related species A. eliae Que!. occurs. Fig 1 shows A. eliae fruiting on the common under Quercus in late May 1997. The specimens show considerable variation in pileus colour ranging from clay
pink in young examples through gold to whitish at maturity. The current field guides give variable pileus colour descriptions of this species. Courtecuisse (1995), giving hazel beige with flesh tones, and Bon (1987) pale pinkish ochre, are accurate. The description in Jordan (1995) is accurate, but contains a photograph which is misleading, showing a cap which is whitishcream with a pink tinge. The volva sunk deep in the substrate is a consistent feature of this species, but the length of the stem, usually said to be elongated, would seem to be variable; the present specimens were fairly squat. Only one record for A. eliae is given in the FNF, an indication of its rarity in Hampshire. A. muscaria (L.) Hook. remains very common across the county. A. pantherina (DC.) Krombh. has many sites in the New Forest and also occurs late every year on St Catherine's Hill at Winchester. Subgenus Lepidella (Ring on stem, cap margin not striate) The 1995 report commented on the A. rubescens complex, with A. rubescens Pers. being recorded consistently across the county, the unrecorded status of var. annulosulphurea Gillet and the apparent rarity of A. aspera (Fr.) S. F. Gray (A. franchetii (Bourd.) Fayod) with a single isolated record from the Isle of Wight. The phenomenon of two sought-after species turning up on a single foray occurred during a visit to Lords Wood near Southampton in mid October 1995. Here A. rubescens var. annulosulphurea (Fig 2), with its conspicuous pendulous yellow ring, was found in large numbers under Betula. Under Quercus some magnificent specimens of A. aspera (Fig 3) were also recorded, the yellow pyramidal warts on the brown cap which identifies this species showing well in them. The FNF notes A. rubescens as one of the commonest agarics in the New Forest, present in almost all sites, only 6 records referring to annulosulphurea. A. aspera has two entries, both records being with Quercus.
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Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998
Fig 1 Amanita eliae showing variation in pileus colour. Southampton Common, May 1997.
The HFG foray at Efford near Lymington in early October 1995 also produced a record for A. aspera again under Quercus. I have also received several recent records from the Isle of Wight. A. spissa (Fr.) Kumm. continues to be recorded regularly though it is not as common as A. rubescens. Sites with basic soil are few in the New Forest, restricting the growth of chalk-loving fungi, the FNF giving only a single record for A. echinocephala (Vitt.) Quel. and none for A. strobiliiormis (Vitt.) Bertill. However these two white amanitas continue to be recorded from the large areas of chalkland across Hampshire. A. echinocephala is seen each year at suitable sites and A. strobiliformis (Fig 4) is the rarer species, appearing only spasmodically. Since its initial sighting in autumn 1989 A. ovoidea (Bull.) Link has continued to appear annually on St Boniface Down above Ventnor on the Isle Of Wight. This is the only known site in Britain for the regular appearance of this species, the only other authenticated record being from Wiltshire in 1973. It appears that a stand at Holm Oak, where the main concentration of A. ovoidea occurs, has been left as a conservation measure. A full account of the occurrence of A. ovoidea on the IOW is given by Reid & Pope (1993). Section Phalloideae, Subgenus Amanitina (With persistent volva and membranous ring) My assumption that the occurrence of A. virosa Lamk. in Hampshire was unlikely, based on its known more northern distribution, was incorrect.
Fig 2 Amanita rubescens var annulosulphurea. At Lords Wood, near Southampton, October 1995.
The subject generated numerous letters giving details of A. virosa sightings from the New Forest. The FNF confirms the occurrence of A. virosa from several sites, records are also slowly accumulating on the HFG database from both Hampshire vice-counties 11 and 12, the majority being from the New Forest. One specimen from Bignall Wood had the characteristic lopsided cap often seen in this species and subsequent chemical tests on the cap showed a yellow reaction with KOH, another diagnostic feature. The HFG member who supplied this record was familiar with A. virosa, having seen it several times before in the Forest. Surprisingly he had never come across the more common A. phalloides (Fr.) Link. A foray at the regular venue of Efford near Lymington provided the opportunity to see A. phalloides, in the oakwoods where it had also been recorded the previous year. Of the other Phalloideae, A. citrina (Sch.) Pers is common in Hampshire, the yellow pileus pigmentation being extremely variable. Pale forms are usually referred to as var. alba (Fig 5). Pure white forms
Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998
Fig 3 Amanita aspera showing the distinctive yellow granules on cap.
Fig 4 Amanita etrobiliformis showing the flat shaggy scales chara cteristic of this species.
Fig 5 Amanita citrina var alba.
Fig 6 Amanita virosa, a rare species in southern Britain.
are occasionally found with tall stems and no cap scales; these are easily mistaken for A . virosa except for the raw potato smell characteristic of A. citrina . The occurrence of A. porphyria Alb. & Schw in Hampshire is best described as occasional, it is always found with conifers. Fig 6 shows A. virosa, a single specimen found under Fagus at Long Beech Inclosure.
A. vaginata (Bull.) Vitt ., and the rarer species which are only recorded very occasionally. A. fulva is very abundant, A. vaginata much less so, its main sites being in the New Forest . This is an extremely variable species both in regard to colour and size , with many named variants . I once found some large specimens of A . vaginata fruiting under Quercus at Bembridge on the row. These had thick stocky stems covered in an orange gluten which had violet tints. Gordon Dickson gave me one September 1989 record where A. crocea (Quel.) Sing. was recorded under Quercus and Betula near Alton. He also gave details of a recent New Forest collection of A . livi-
Subgenus Amanitopsis (no ring on stem) The occurrence of the ringless amanitas in Hampshire can be divided into two groups, the commonly seen species A . fulva (Sch.) Seyt and
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Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998 dopallescens (Gilb.) Gilb & Kuhn. Two specimens had been found some distance apart, at Pig Bush in mid July 1997. This supplements the only known site originally given in the FNF. The remaining Amanitopsis spp A. battarae (Bourd.) Bon, A. strangulata (Fr.) Roze apud Karst. (A. ceciliae (Br. & Br.) Bas) and A. submembranacea (Bon) Greger are included in FNF and have also been found at other Hampshire sites, but records are limited. As yet no Hampshire records exist for the rare A. friabilis P. Karsten despite suitable alder sites being searched. This account gives a clearer picture, though by no means a definitive account, of the amanita group in Hampshire. The New Forest has been surveyed and the results published in the FNF. Other areas within the county are being covered
by the HFG , the data hopefully being usable for the generation of distribution maps at a later date. References Bon, M. (1987) Th e Mushr oom s and T oadsto ols of Britain and N orth- Western Europe . Hodder & Stoughton, London. Courtecuisse, R. & Duh em, B. (1995) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Brita in and Europe. HarperCollins. Dickson, G. & Leonard, A. (1996) Fungi of th e New Forest. BMS. Jordan, M. (1995) Th e Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe. David & Charles. Mattock, G. (1995) Some Notes on Amanita in Hampshire. Mycologist 9: 15-17. Phillips, R. (1981) Mushrooms and other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe. Pan Books. Reid, D.A. & Pope, C. (1993) The occurrence of Amanita ovoidea on the Isle of Wight. Proc. Isle of Wight nat. Hist. Archaeol. Soc. 11: 29-34.
International Symposium on Ecology of Fungi, Goa, India, 20 - 22 January 1998 entitled 1. Community Structure and Function. 2. Organic Matter Degradation and Physiology. 3. Fungus-Plant Associations. 4. Diversity. 5. Anthropogenic Effects and Epidemiology. Poster sessions covering similar topics were held in an adjoining room. Plenary lectures were given by John Webster on Ecology of Coprophilous Fungi and by C. V. Subramanian on The excitement of doing Mycology in the Tropics. R. S. Mehrotra as President of MSI gave his Presidential Address on Certain Aspects of Trichoderma; Taxonomy and Biocontrol. Over 150 delegates attended the symposium, including MEETINGS OF IMACA AND M~I ~ INTERNATiONAL SYMPOSIUM,;;92W many younger mycologists ECOL06Y OF FUN61(, from India and elsewhere in 20·22 JANUARY 1998 Asia. The organisers , GOA UNNERSITY. 6OA. " Professor D . J. Bhat and Professor S. Ragukumar, and the organising committee, ably chaired by Professor B . C. Lodha , are to be congratulated on a very successful conference the Proceedings of which will be published shortly. The British Mycological Society was represented at opening and closing ceremonies by John Webster who hosted, on behalf of BMS Council, a reception and dinner at the Fig 1 Invocation of the Indian Goddess of Education Saraswati at the opening ceremony of International Centre. The International Mycological Association's Regional Committee for Asia (IMACA) and the Mycological Society for India (MSI) held a joint symposium on Ecology of Fungi at The International Centre, University of Goa from 20 22 January 1998. After the opening ceremony at which the presence of Indian Goddess of Education Saraswati was invoked by the lighting of a traditional lamp (Fig 1), Professor C. V. Subramanian gave an Inaugural Lecture. The oral presentations were divided into five sessions
'Y
the Symposium on Ecology of Fungi at the University of Goa, 20 January 1998. Left to right: B. C. Lodha, D. J. Bhat, J. Webster, C. -Y. Chein.
John Webster
Further Notes on Amanita in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight GRAHAM MATTOCK 16 Gordon Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire 8023 OQQ
The first 'Amanita in Hampshire' paper (Mycologist 9: 15-17, 1995) generated substantial feedback, indicating a lively interest in the genus. Subsequently, publication of the Fungi of the New Forest (FNF) (Dickson & Leonard, 1996) with detailed site records and the formation of the Hampshire Fungus Group (HFG) in 1995 with new data arising from group forays and members' records, has led to further understanding. Species are arranged in subgenera following Bon (1987). More familiar names are retained and updated names used by Bon are included in brackets. Subgenus Amanita (Ring on stem, cap margin striate) The brief mention of the apparently unrecorded A. gemmata (Fr.) Gillet (A. junquillea Que!.), very rare according to Phillips (1981) brought several letters detailing its occurrence in Hampshire. I was fortunate to see this species during a late October 1995 HFG foray at Roydon Woods Nature Reserve in the New Forest. A photograph taken on this foray, appearing on the back cover of Mycologist 10 part 2, shows the distinctive yellow cap with scattered white veil fragments and striate margin, also the compact basal bulb. The subsequent publication of the FNF also gives one Roydon record and an additional New Forest site. I have also received details of a sighting from north Hants. All records were late in the year, always with conifers. The apparent increase in the appearance of this species reflects a trend found in other areas of Britain, many groups having recent records for A. gemmata in their foray reports. It has also been recorded from the urban environment of Southampton Common where, earlier in the year, the closely related species A. eliae Que!. occurs. Fig 1 shows A. eliae fruiting on the common under Quercus in late May 1997. The specimens show considerable variation in pileus colour ranging from clay
pink in young examples through gold to whitish at maturity. The current field guides give variable pileus colour descriptions of this species. Courtecuisse (1995), giving hazel beige with flesh tones, and Bon (1987) pale pinkish ochre, are accurate. The description in Jordan (1995) is accurate, but contains a photograph which is misleading, showing a cap which is whitishcream with a pink tinge. The volva sunk deep in the substrate is a consistent feature of this species, but the length of the stem, usually said to be elongated, would seem to be variable; the present specimens were fairly squat. Only one record for A. eliae is given in the FNF, an indication of its rarity in Hampshire. A. muscaria (L.) Hook. remains very common across the county. A. pantherina (DC.) Krombh. has many sites in the New Forest and also occurs late every year on St Catherine's Hill at Winchester. Subgenus Lepidella (Ring on stem, cap margin not striate) The 1995 report commented on the A. rubescens complex, with A. rubescens Pers. being recorded consistently across the county, the unrecorded status of var. annulosulphurea Gillet and the apparent rarity of A. aspera (Fr.) S. F. Gray (A. franchetii (Bourd.) Fayod) with a single isolated record from the Isle of Wight. The phenomenon of two sought-after species turning up on a single foray occurred during a visit to Lords Wood near Southampton in mid October 1995. Here A. rubescens var. annulosulphurea (Fig 2), with its conspicuous pendulous yellow ring, was found in large numbers under Betula. Under Quercus some magnificent specimens of A. aspera (Fig 3) were also recorded, the yellow pyramidal warts on the brown cap which identifies this species showing well in them. The FNF notes A. rubescens as one of the commonest agarics in the New Forest, present in almost all sites, only 6 records referring to annulosulphurea. A. aspera has two entries, both records being with Quercus.
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Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998
Fig 1 Amanita eliae showing variation in pileus colour. Southampton Common, May 1997.
The HFG foray at Efford near Lymington in early October 1995 also produced a record for A. aspera again under Quercus. I have also received several recent records from the Isle of Wight. A. spissa (Fr.) Kumm. continues to be recorded regularly though it is not as common as A. rubescens. Sites with basic soil are few in the New Forest, restricting the growth of chalk-loving fungi, the FNF giving only a single record for A. echinocephala (Vitt.) Quel. and none for A. strobiliiormis (Vitt.) Bertill. However these two white amanitas continue to be recorded from the large areas of chalkland across Hampshire. A. echinocephala is seen each year at suitable sites and A. strobiliformis (Fig 4) is the rarer species, appearing only spasmodically. Since its initial sighting in autumn 1989 A. ovoidea (Bull.) Link has continued to appear annually on St Boniface Down above Ventnor on the Isle Of Wight. This is the only known site in Britain for the regular appearance of this species, the only other authenticated record being from Wiltshire in 1973. It appears that a stand at Holm Oak, where the main concentration of A. ovoidea occurs, has been left as a conservation measure. A full account of the occurrence of A. ovoidea on the IOW is given by Reid & Pope (1993). Section Phalloideae, Subgenus Amanitina (With persistent volva and membranous ring) My assumption that the occurrence of A. virosa Lamk. in Hampshire was unlikely, based on its known more northern distribution, was incorrect.
Fig 2 Amanita rubescens var annulosulphurea. At Lords Wood, near Southampton, October 1995.
The subject generated numerous letters giving details of A. virosa sightings from the New Forest. The FNF confirms the occurrence of A. virosa from several sites, records are also slowly accumulating on the HFG database from both Hampshire vice-counties 11 and 12, the majority being from the New Forest. One specimen from Bignall Wood had the characteristic lopsided cap often seen in this species and subsequent chemical tests on the cap showed a yellow reaction with KOH, another diagnostic feature. The HFG member who supplied this record was familiar with A. virosa, having seen it several times before in the Forest. Surprisingly he had never come across the more common A. phalloides (Fr.) Link. A foray at the regular venue of Efford near Lymington provided the opportunity to see A. phalloides, in the oakwoods where it had also been recorded the previous year. Of the other Phalloideae, A. citrina (Sch.) Pers is common in Hampshire, the yellow pileus pigmentation being extremely variable. Pale forms are usually referred to as var. alba (Fig 5). Pure white forms
Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998
Fig 3 Amanita aspera showing the distinctive yellow granules on cap.
Fig 4 Amanita etrobiliformis showing the flat shaggy scales chara cteristic of this species.
Fig 5 Amanita citrina var alba.
Fig 6 Amanita virosa, a rare species in southern Britain.
are occasionally found with tall stems and no cap scales; these are easily mistaken for A . virosa except for the raw potato smell characteristic of A. citrina . The occurrence of A. porphyria Alb. & Schw in Hampshire is best described as occasional, it is always found with conifers. Fig 6 shows A. virosa, a single specimen found under Fagus at Long Beech Inclosure.
A. vaginata (Bull.) Vitt ., and the rarer species which are only recorded very occasionally. A. fulva is very abundant, A. vaginata much less so, its main sites being in the New Forest . This is an extremely variable species both in regard to colour and size , with many named variants . I once found some large specimens of A . vaginata fruiting under Quercus at Bembridge on the row. These had thick stocky stems covered in an orange gluten which had violet tints. Gordon Dickson gave me one September 1989 record where A. crocea (Quel.) Sing. was recorded under Quercus and Betula near Alton. He also gave details of a recent New Forest collection of A . livi-
Subgenus Amanitopsis (no ring on stem) The occurrence of the ringless amanitas in Hampshire can be divided into two groups, the commonly seen species A . fulva (Sch.) Seyt and
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•
Volume 12, Part 2, May 1998 dopallescens (Gilb.) Gilb & Kuhn. Two specimens had been found some distance apart, at Pig Bush in mid July 1997. This supplements the only known site originally given in the FNF. The remaining Amanitopsis spp A. battarae (Bourd.) Bon, A. strangulata (Fr.) Roze apud Karst. (A. ceciliae (Br. & Br.) Bas) and A. submembranacea (Bon) Greger are included in FNF and have also been found at other Hampshire sites, but records are limited. As yet no Hampshire records exist for the rare A. friabilis P. Karsten despite suitable alder sites being searched. This account gives a clearer picture, though by no means a definitive account, of the amanita group in Hampshire. The New Forest has been surveyed and the results published in the FNF. Other areas within the county are being covered
by the HFG , the data hopefully being usable for the generation of distribution maps at a later date. References Bon, M. (1987) Th e Mushr oom s and T oadsto ols of Britain and N orth- Western Europe . Hodder & Stoughton, London. Courtecuisse, R. & Duh em, B. (1995) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Brita in and Europe. HarperCollins. Dickson, G. & Leonard, A. (1996) Fungi of th e New Forest. BMS. Jordan, M. (1995) Th e Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe. David & Charles. Mattock, G. (1995) Some Notes on Amanita in Hampshire. Mycologist 9: 15-17. Phillips, R. (1981) Mushrooms and other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe. Pan Books. Reid, D.A. & Pope, C. (1993) The occurrence of Amanita ovoidea on the Isle of Wight. Proc. Isle of Wight nat. Hist. Archaeol. Soc. 11: 29-34.
International Symposium on Ecology of Fungi, Goa, India, 20 - 22 January 1998 entitled 1. Community Structure and Function. 2. Organic Matter Degradation and Physiology. 3. Fungus-Plant Associations. 4. Diversity. 5. Anthropogenic Effects and Epidemiology. Poster sessions covering similar topics were held in an adjoining room. Plenary lectures were given by John Webster on Ecology of Coprophilous Fungi and by C. V. Subramanian on The excitement of doing Mycology in the Tropics. R. S. Mehrotra as President of MSI gave his Presidential Address on Certain Aspects of Trichoderma; Taxonomy and Biocontrol. Over 150 delegates attended the symposium, including MEETINGS OF IMACA AND M~I ~ INTERNATiONAL SYMPOSIUM,;;92W many younger mycologists ECOL06Y OF FUN61(, from India and elsewhere in 20·22 JANUARY 1998 Asia. The organisers , GOA UNNERSITY. 6OA. " Professor D . J. Bhat and Professor S. Ragukumar, and the organising committee, ably chaired by Professor B . C. Lodha , are to be congratulated on a very successful conference the Proceedings of which will be published shortly. The British Mycological Society was represented at opening and closing ceremonies by John Webster who hosted, on behalf of BMS Council, a reception and dinner at the Fig 1 Invocation of the Indian Goddess of Education Saraswati at the opening ceremony of International Centre. The International Mycological Association's Regional Committee for Asia (IMACA) and the Mycological Society for India (MSI) held a joint symposium on Ecology of Fungi at The International Centre, University of Goa from 20 22 January 1998. After the opening ceremony at which the presence of Indian Goddess of Education Saraswati was invoked by the lighting of a traditional lamp (Fig 1), Professor C. V. Subramanian gave an Inaugural Lecture. The oral presentations were divided into five sessions
'Y
the Symposium on Ecology of Fungi at the University of Goa, 20 January 1998. Left to right: B. C. Lodha, D. J. Bhat, J. Webster, C. -Y. Chein.
John Webster