species


 * BASIDIOMYCETES :** they let there spores fall into air currents, so their fruiting body has to be at least a short height off the ground. They form there spores on stalks of cells known as basida, of which there are four per cell.


 * ASCOMYCETES :** they form their spores in tubes called asci, which point upwards. When the spores are ripe, they are ejected for a few millimetres into the air. A change in humidity or air pressure is enough to trigger the release. As many asci discharge at the same time, the spores appear as a little puff of smoke.

Group Basidiomycetes

__ **BOLETACEAE**  __**- All Boleti grow on the ground. They have a typical toadstool shape, but under the cap are tubes instead of gills. The flesh is usually white/cream in the cap. Genera in this group include:**

**Boletus** **- has a dry cap and stem that may be covered with small dots of a fine net.**

**Suillus** **- has a cap that is slimy in wet weather and a smooth stem.**

**Leccinum** **- has a dry cap and scaly stem.**


 * Tylopilus - has pink pores and a dark net on the stem.**

__AGARICALES__ - These have a typical toadstool shape, but with gills under the cap. The spores are formed on the surface of the gills. Most are raised from the ground by a stem. Genera in this group include:

Amanita - Some of the most poisonous fungi are in this genus. It has a volva, either large, small, or as rings on the stem.

Lepotia - All are whitish with white spores, have a scaly cap, white gills free of the stem and a ring. The large edible ones are called Macrolepotia, small inedible one are called lepotia.

Collybia - These are responsible for the breakdown of wood and leaves in woodland. The white gills free of or lightly attached to the stem. There is no ring.

Clitocybe - Has white gills marked decurrent. The cap is usually funnel shaped and the stem fairly short. Mycena - Small white gilled fungi, adnate, usually with conical caps which may later open flat. The stems are long and slim.

Coprinus - Their method of spore dispersal is unusual. The gills and cap liquefy so the spores are washed away by rain. Either white or brown and tall.

Hygrophorus and Hygrocybe - They form the 'wax-caps'. The gills are thick, well spaced and waxy looking. The pale coloured species occurring in woodland are Hygrophorus, the grassland ones are the Hygrocybe. They form a rounded cone cap.

__RUSSULACEAE__ - The fungi in this group have crumbly flesh and are generally brighter colours. Typically the gills extend to the stem, and the cap is usually funnel shaped. Genera in this group include:

Russula - Hard, brittle fleshed with white to yellow gills, most run from the stem to the edge of the cap. The cap is fairly thick fleshed. The stems are medium to tall and usually white.

Lactarius - Known as the 'milk-caps'. If the cap or gills are broken, a milky juice oozes out. The colour of the milk may change after a few minutes. It is non-toxic but hot in taste.

__ GASTROMYCETES  __ - The members of this mixed group form their spores on a network of hyphae and basida which is initially contained in the fruitbody. These may be expelled through a central opening, as in puffballs, or released by the casing disintegrating. In Stinkhorns, a slime, containing spores is found on top of a stem.

__ HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES  __ -  This group is known as the 'Jelly fungi', due to its elastic nature. The spores are formed internally. All are parasitic or saprophytic on wood. The genus Tremella is characteristic of this group. Most can dry out into skin like structures, which rehydrate when wet.

__ APHYLLOPHORALES  __- These are fungi without gills. The genus Stereum, consists of horizontally disposed plates with the spore bearing surface on the underside.

__Group Ascomycetes__

DISCOMYCETES - Known as the 'Disc fungi' these are saucer shaped and of various sizes, less than a millimetre to several centimetres. The spore layer is on the upper surface. Some have a stem carrying a convoluted head. Genera in this group include:

Morchellaceae - Morels are among the best known mushrooms. They appear in spring. Morels occur where soil has been disturbed, and produce mass fruitings after forest fires.

Leotiaceae - These are tiny, mostly disc-shaped fungi, with spores in asci. Most are firm fleshed, almost rubbery. Some species grow in swarms on rotten wood while others are hidden among grass.

__ PYRENOMYCETES  __- Generally have a black, crusty appearance. They are known as 'Flask fungi'. They are so called because the spores develop within tiny flask shaped organs, and make their way to the air through an opening in the flask.