A Hike up Haughmond Hill

The mixture of native woodlands, forestry plantations and heathland is an ideal mix for mushrooms. Walking on Haughmond in autumn you can't fail to be impressed by fungi. They're everywhere but you have to get off the beaten track if you want to find them.

Shaggy ink cap

Shaggy ink cap is common in the grassy places in early autumn. It is good to eat before it reaches this stage.

Penny Bun

Finding Penny Bun is a real prize. Some people think it is the most delicious mushroom of them all.

Porcelain fungus

Porcelain fungus grows on beech trees at Haughmond Hill. It has the translucent quality of porcelain but is slimy to the touch and not edible.

This Russula (Russula atropurpurea)

This Russula fungus is another that can be found in the woods on Haughmond Hill. It is a wonderful rich purple colour on top, but is not colourfast. The colour washes out in the rain.

Warning: Fungi can be hard to identify so do not eat them unless you absolutely sure that it is safe to do so.