Autumn fungi show their colours

Autumn is here, a season brightened for us by the sight of many weird and wonderful fungi. These pictures were taken this week at Orchid Meadows and show (clockwise from top left) Coprinus plicatilis, amethyst deceiver, fly agaric, beechwood sickener and an upside down slippery Jack. We also have lawyer's wig, charcoal burner and blusher at the fruiting body stage onsite at the moment. This is the part of the organism we see - the rest is a network of filaments underground.

Fungi are the often overlooked part of nature but the evocative names alone bear testimony to the interest and intrigue they have to offer. And they don't run or fly away like animals when you try to take a closer look.

Foragers for the table enjoy this time of year but please note two of the species pictured here are poisonous and some species will kill you for certain. Positive identification is an essential tool.