Blast from the past: Woodland fungi

Back in 1996, Lapwing magazine invited readers to explore the secret world of woodland fungi, from puffballs and toadstools to the underground networks linking trees together. Nearly thirty years on, these woodland wonders are still inspiring curiosity and conservation across our region.

Then: Woodland wonders take root

In Lapwing magazine’s Autumn/Winter 1996 issue, naturalist Peter Rodney Smith took readers on a journey through Lancashire’s woodlands to discover the hidden lives of fungi. Autumn, he wrote, was the season when “the better-known fungi appear in greater profusion” and with it, the forest floor came alive with strange and beautiful forms.

He described how the woods come alive with all shapes and sizes of fungi: from the smoky clouds of puffballs releasing their spores into the air, to the unmistakable scarlet caps of the Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) peeking from beneath the ferns. Even the more elusive micro-species, he noted, were there if you looked carefully enough among the moss and leaf litter.

Peter explained how fungi are intimately linked with the trees around them. Each woodland type, deciduous or coniferous, hosts its own cast of characters. In the deciduous woods, you might have found Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) clinging to stumps, or the earthy Penny bun also known as Porcini (Boletus edulis), prized by foragers. In the coniferous stands, species like the Sickener (Russula emetica), Larch bolete, and Rufous milk cap thrived among pine needles.

A group of puffball mushrooms growing amongst grass

Life beneath the trees

Peter went on to describe the remarkable underground partnerships that make all of this possible, long before the “wood wide web” became a familiar term. Fungi, he wrote, form mycorrhizal relationships with trees, wrapping their microscopic threads around roots to exchange nutrients. The fungus provides minerals and water, while the tree offers sugars in return. Without these quiet collaborations, much of our woodland life would struggle to survive.

He also highlighted another side to woodland fungi, those that live on decaying wood, recycling nutrients and returning them to the forest floor. These are known as saprophytes, he wrote, naming species like the Sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare), Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), and Shaggy pholiota (Pholiota squarrosa). Even fungi that parasitise trees, such as Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) or the Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), play their part in the grand cycle of decay and renewal.

These are but a sample of the many different species to be found in our woodlands… all equally interesting and worth closer observation.

Peter Rodney Smith

Now: A growing fascination

Cluster of turkey tail on wood covered in moss

Nearly thirty years later, that quiet call to curiosity still resonates through our woodlands.

Today, fungi are recognised not just as woodland curiosities, but as vital players in the health of entire ecosystems. Across Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, the same magic Peter described is still unfolding every autumn, though now with even greater appreciation for the role fungi play in woodland restoration.

During a recent visit to Mere Sands Wood, the forest floor was alive with variety. Clusters of Hare’s foot inkcaps (Coprinopsis lagopus) brushed against the leaf litter, their soft, furry caps catching the light, while shelves of Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) layered the fallen logs in waves of blue, brown and cream. Nearby, the subtle tones of Brown rollrim (Paxillus involutus) nestled beneath birch trees, blending perfectly with the damp autumn leaves.

Woodland stories come to life

Each of these species tells a story of how fungi sustain the woodland. Inkcaps appear briefly, breaking down organic matter before fading away, while bracket fungi like turkey tail work slowly, recycling the wood they grow upon. Even the modest rollrim plays its part, forming symbiotic relationships with trees that keep the whole ecosystem in balance.

Visitors to Mere Sands Wood and Brockholes often pause to admire these hidden marvels. Autumn brings curious families, photographers and long-time members eager to capture the variety of fungi that appear along woodland paths and mossy logs. There’s a special kind of joy in spotting your first toadstool beneath the autumn leaves, a moment of connection that echoes Peter’s words from 1996.

As we continue our work to restore and rewild our woodlands, fungi remain at the heart of the story, unseen but essential. Their presence is a quiet success story beneath our feet, reminding us that nature’s recovery begins with the smallest of threads.

Spot them this season

Discover some of the fungi you might spot on your next autumn walk at one of our reserves. From the striking fly agaric to the delicate puffball, each plays a vital role in keeping our woodlands healthy.