Amanita Muscaria

Amanita Muscaria, or common name of the 'Fly Agaric', usually grows and fruits around Silver Birch trees, which are recognisable by their sliver coloured bark of the mature tree boles and the serrated edges of their leaves, this tree is often referred to as, 'The Lady of the Forest'. This fungus also occurs in pine woods. The white scab like spots are fragments or remains of the universal veil that protects or covers the bulb type fruit body, as it rises and expands through the leaf mould, from the underlying mycelium; the fungus, rather like a white hairy bootlace or tangled spider's web. In this image the gills under the cap can be seen from which the spores are shed. The common name is from it's early use as a fly poison. Beware, the Amanita Muscaria is a poisonous fungus, do not eat it! Although many fungi are edible I have never harvested or eaten fungi from the woods, other than those purchased via shops. Throughout life I adopt a policy of never knowingly taking unnecessary risks!

Beware of the Pixies whilst photographing fungi; they get annoyed, if they think you are taking their shelters away!