Francis Hickenbottom
@fhickenbottom.bsky.social
Retired physics teacher, interested in woodcarving, fungi, plants (especially alpines, cacti and succulents) and cosmology.
Members of the Mid-Yorks Fungus Group found a large patch of the aromatic resupinate fungus Mycoacia nothofagi on the vertical side of a beech stump. I initially picked up the smell of coconut but I later detected pineapple and other notes that I don't know how to describe.
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Members of the Mid-Yorks Fungus Group found a large patch of the aromatic resupinate fungus Mycoacia nothofagi on the vertical side of a beech stump. I initially picked up the smell of coconut but I later detected pineapple and other notes that I don't know how to describe.
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
Probably Hygrocybe mucronella, but two similar species: Hygrocybe alpina and Hygrocybe amara have been recently described and I'm not sure if either occur in Britain #FungiFriends www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wfbi...
November 10, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Probably Hygrocybe mucronella, but two similar species: Hygrocybe alpina and Hygrocybe amara have been recently described and I'm not sure if either occur in Britain #FungiFriends www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wfbi...
Didymium melanospermum with a pin for scale. The slime-mould was found on a beech log at the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.
November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Didymium melanospermum with a pin for scale. The slime-mould was found on a beech log at the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield.
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours earlier today perusing a fascinating old book: An History of the Fungusses Growing About Halifax, by John Bolton. It's fascinating to look at the names being used to see how ideas about classification were forming 200 years ago.
November 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours earlier today perusing a fascinating old book: An History of the Fungusses Growing About Halifax, by John Bolton. It's fascinating to look at the names being used to see how ideas about classification were forming 200 years ago.
Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus was a nice find in a chuchyard in North Yorkshire today. This id only the third site that I have found for this species.
November 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus was a nice find in a chuchyard in North Yorkshire today. This id only the third site that I have found for this species.
I was pleased to be able to add a Ramaria to my species list for the almshouses. A MYFG member spotted several clumps of Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral) yesterday.
November 2, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I was pleased to be able to add a Ramaria to my species list for the almshouses. A MYFG member spotted several clumps of Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral) yesterday.
Arrhenia acerosa (Moss Oysterling) was an interesting find on the croquet lawn of the Archbishop Holgate Hospital today during a foray with the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group.
November 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Arrhenia acerosa (Moss Oysterling) was an interesting find on the croquet lawn of the Archbishop Holgate Hospital today during a foray with the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group.
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
On this Halloween, a reminder that a sculptor included a Xenomorph gargoyle during the 1990s restoration of Paisley Abbey
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
On this Halloween, a reminder that a sculptor included a Xenomorph gargoyle during the 1990s restoration of Paisley Abbey
Identification of little brown jobs can sometimes be challenging but substrate can give an important clue. Here's Naucoria striatula (Striate Aldercap) growing amongst the exposed, tangled roots of Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder). #fungi
October 30, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Identification of little brown jobs can sometimes be challenging but substrate can give an important clue. Here's Naucoria striatula (Striate Aldercap) growing amongst the exposed, tangled roots of Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder). #fungi
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
S, M, L Macrolepiota procera - Parasol mushrooms in the Wyre Forest #FungiFriends #ukwildlife
October 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
S, M, L Macrolepiota procera - Parasol mushrooms in the Wyre Forest #FungiFriends #ukwildlife
Here are some miniatures seen during a foray that I led for Doncaster Nats today. The Physarum and the Didymium are slime moulds and the Mollisia and the Orbilia are ascomycete fungi.
October 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Here are some miniatures seen during a foray that I led for Doncaster Nats today. The Physarum and the Didymium are slime moulds and the Mollisia and the Orbilia are ascomycete fungi.
I found a patch beneath some birches on a reclaimed spoil heap that is rich in fungi. Amongst other species, there were many Amanita rubescens (Blushers) that were looking particularly good. #fungi
October 29, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I found a patch beneath some birches on a reclaimed spoil heap that is rich in fungi. Amongst other species, there were many Amanita rubescens (Blushers) that were looking particularly good. #fungi
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
It's waxcap time!
Hygrocybe coccinea, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe punicea and Gliophorus psittacinus
#mushroom #mushrooms #fungus #fungi #pilz #pilze #champignons #champignon #nature #natur #FungiFriends
Hygrocybe coccinea, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe punicea and Gliophorus psittacinus
#mushroom #mushrooms #fungus #fungi #pilz #pilze #champignons #champignon #nature #natur #FungiFriends
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
It's waxcap time!
Hygrocybe coccinea, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe punicea and Gliophorus psittacinus
#mushroom #mushrooms #fungus #fungi #pilz #pilze #champignons #champignon #nature #natur #FungiFriends
Hygrocybe coccinea, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe punicea and Gliophorus psittacinus
#mushroom #mushrooms #fungus #fungi #pilz #pilze #champignons #champignon #nature #natur #FungiFriends
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
A gorgeous Neoboletus luridiformis - Scarletina Bolete seen in the Wyre Forest today #FungiFriends #ukwildlife
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A gorgeous Neoboletus luridiformis - Scarletina Bolete seen in the Wyre Forest today #FungiFriends #ukwildlife
I've seen lots of Panaeolus semiovatus on the dung of ponies grazing on Heath Common, Wakefield but this is the largest specimen that I have encountered. #fungi
October 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I've seen lots of Panaeolus semiovatus on the dung of ponies grazing on Heath Common, Wakefield but this is the largest specimen that I have encountered. #fungi
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
Splendid Waxcaps, Hygrocybe splendidissima. For #WildFungiHour
October 26, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Splendid Waxcaps, Hygrocybe splendidissima. For #WildFungiHour
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
#speciesday no. is Yellow-foot Waxcap (Cuphophyllus flavipes). An uncommon waxcap with a drab blotchy greyish cap but the pale yellow stem base & decurrent gills are diagnostic. After twitching them at Henfield Churchyard, I've since
found my own at Ebernoe Cricket Pitch (this one) and High Beeches.
found my own at Ebernoe Cricket Pitch (this one) and High Beeches.
October 27, 2025 at 7:09 AM
#speciesday no. is Yellow-foot Waxcap (Cuphophyllus flavipes). An uncommon waxcap with a drab blotchy greyish cap but the pale yellow stem base & decurrent gills are diagnostic. After twitching them at Henfield Churchyard, I've since
found my own at Ebernoe Cricket Pitch (this one) and High Beeches.
found my own at Ebernoe Cricket Pitch (this one) and High Beeches.
One of the many good things about looking at fungi is that it's possible to visit a site for years and still turn up new species for the site list. Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) was one of several added to the Wintersett list during a public foray yesterday.
October 27, 2025 at 6:35 AM
One of the many good things about looking at fungi is that it's possible to visit a site for years and still turn up new species for the site list. Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) was one of several added to the Wintersett list during a public foray yesterday.
A foray at Wintersett turned up this interesting fungus on a Poplar twig. I've identified it as Schizophyllum amplum, which has the common name Poplar Bells.
October 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
A foray at Wintersett turned up this interesting fungus on a Poplar twig. I've identified it as Schizophyllum amplum, which has the common name Poplar Bells.
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
Always spectacular, the amazing Cobalt Crust fungus (Terana caerulea). In a South Wales woodland 23/10/25 #fungi #FungiFriends
October 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Always spectacular, the amazing Cobalt Crust fungus (Terana caerulea). In a South Wales woodland 23/10/25 #fungi #FungiFriends
Reposted by Francis Hickenbottom
A perfect Amanita fulva - Tawny Grisette. #FungiFriends
October 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A perfect Amanita fulva - Tawny Grisette. #FungiFriends
I will never tire of looking at the gills of waxcap fungi.
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 AM
I will never tire of looking at the gills of waxcap fungi.
Xerocomellus cisalpinus is now known as the Bluefoot Bolete and a cross-section is needed to check the identification. This species and X chrysenteron caused some confusion for me when I first encountered them. #fungi
October 22, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Xerocomellus cisalpinus is now known as the Bluefoot Bolete and a cross-section is needed to check the identification. This species and X chrysenteron caused some confusion for me when I first encountered them. #fungi