Golf
accompaniment for sirloin steak later in the day.
The most notable feature of the 2011 season, however, was the discovery of two highly-prized species that I, for one, had never seen before on the course, although I would be very surprised if they have never, ever grown in some remote, undisturbed corner of our terrain.
The first of these was a fine specimen of Sulphur Polypore, commonly known as Chicken of the Woods, which was found in October by my fellow fungi enthusiast, Brian Tait, on a tree stump to the right of the second fairway at its junction with the first fairway. This fungi takes the form of a large
bracket, 10-40 cms across, which is often fan-shaped or semi-circular and produces thick layers of lemon-yellow or yellow- orange flesh, similar in texture to chicken. Very popular in Germany, and much sought-after in North America, it is excellent in soups, casseroles and pickles, and can also be grilled or used as cutlets. Brian also spotted the season’s first edible species, the
St.George’s Mushroom, just in front of the thirteenth tee, and later he found another specimen near the first tee. This mushroom, which
is white and has a characteristic floury smell, always appears at Wilmslow about a week after
St.George’s Day on 23rd April.
My personal highlight of the year was the discovery, for the first time, of a splendid cluster of Chanterelle in the semi-rough to the right of the second fairway. The Chanterelle is a delicious companion for scrambled eggs or an omelette, and is coveted by chefs the world over.
I have often found a species known as
False Chanterelle on the course, and although one of my reference books describes it as edible, it says it has been known to cause hallucinations in some cases! Another reference book is unequivocal; it’s poisonous and that's that!
Several species identified in the survey
are known to be poisonous, but the majority are categorised in the text books as inedible, meaning that they are about as appetising as a mouthful of grass clippings.
About ten of the species listed are edible, and half of those are very tasty indeed. I am happy to report that only once in the past twenty years have I found a ‘deadly poisonous’ mushroom at
Wilmslow - a Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) in the copse on the left bank of the fourteenth. The ‘deadly poisonous’ designation means precisely that; if you are foolish enough to confuse it with an edible species, you should call on your undertaker after receiving treatment at your A&E Department!
My survey has not been systematic or scientific, and the species listed below can be easily recognised in the field without the need for a microscope. I am confident that dozens more fungi could be identified if a serious mycologist, armed with a microscope, ventured into the dense woodland that runs through the centre of the course, and diligently studied all the LBTs that he or she would find amongst rotting wood and vegetation. LBTs, by the way, are Little Brown Things that fungi enthusiasts, like me, find it impossible to identify without a microscope.
Most of the fungi listed below were found on the course last year, and all have appeared on the course at least once in the past two years. Many fungi have popular or common names and, whenever possible, I have used these in preference to their scientific names, which are generally rather boring and
Wood Blewit
Chanterelle
St George’s Mushroom
Sulphur Polypore APRIL/MAY 2012 PC 25
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