Wednesday 17th September
It's that time of the year again when summer is officially winding down and there is now a distinct condition change in the air with a damp and humid atmosphere beginning to taking shape. This brings a feast of fungi along with it and what better way to kick off the transition to autumn than with a red cracking bolete or two emerging in the garden today.
There are around 80 species of bolete in the UK - many of them edible, some that will change colour from cream to blue when cut and some that grow a gaudy crimson red or even to the size of a dinner plate. The red cracking bolete (Xerocomellus chrysenteron) gets its common name from the colour change in the cap as it breaks or is nibbled on by molluscs, revealing a thin layer of bright pink to red flesh. They are known for their mycorrhizal connections with beech trees so I am betting that the individuals forming in my garden are the result of a more than successful relationship with my hedgerow. It's a magical time of year and I've recently stumbled upon penny buns, pleated inkcaps, late crops of chicken of the woods, oysters on old maple trees and some perfectly formed fly agaric specimens.
I'm now waiting in full anticipation for my first waxcap sighting of 2025!
