I was with Nut when we found this - I err towards 'some sort of morel'.
I think I saw it the day before this photo was taken - it was certainly 'closer to the ground' and there was no sign of the 'egg' as I would expect with a young stinkhorn, and certainly no smell that either I or OH noticed, and I got down onto the ground to look at it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Not many fungi around at this time of year but morels are some of the few. St Georges mushroom should be around now, surprisingly enough given the date, but it doesn't look like this. The stinkhorn is a late summer fruiting fungus.
That was my other thought - the right time of year for morels so I'm ever hopeful of seeing some at this time of year. There are a couple of sites here in Norfolk - locations are a closely guarded secret.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Steephill is correct, but it is not worth eating in my opinion. Do take care as Gyromitra esculenta looks similar, but grows with conifers, and will kill you if eaten. Seems to favour damp clay soil. If you cut it in half you will see that the bottom of the cap is not attached to the stem, hence the name. Incidentally, I believe the correct name is Mitrophora semilibera.
I'm becoming more sure that this is it. Thanks Steephill and thanks for the correct name Leif, is this an updated name? I couldn't find the Morchella in my book or much on line. Thanks all for suggestions and that lovely website which I had forgotten about
I'm very pleased, one more species for an ever-growing list.
Species collecting again tonight, first moth trap of the year.
Posts
It is known as the mushroom stinkhorns, go on to Wikipedia for info
Half free morel -Morchella Semilibera Likes damp soil, edible but not as good as the common morel - Morchella Esculenta.
I was with Nut when we found this - I err towards 'some sort of morel'.
I think I saw it the day before this photo was taken - it was certainly 'closer to the ground' and there was no sign of the 'egg' as I would expect with a young stinkhorn, and certainly no smell that either I or OH noticed, and I got down onto the ground to look at it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Not many fungi around at this time of year but morels are some of the few. St Georges mushroom should be around now, surprisingly enough given the date, but it doesn't look like this. The stinkhorn is a late summer fruiting fungus.
That was my other thought - the right time of year for morels so I'm ever hopeful of seeing some at this time of year. There are a couple of sites here in Norfolk - locations are a closely guarded secret.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Pansyface
- don't know what Nut thinks, but I think that site confirms Steephill's ID
http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/semifree-morel
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Steephill is correct, but it is not worth eating in my opinion. Do take care as Gyromitra esculenta looks similar, but grows with conifers, and will kill you if eaten. Seems to favour damp clay soil. If you cut it in half you will see that the bottom of the cap is not attached to the stem, hence the name. Incidentally, I believe the correct name is Mitrophora semilibera.
I'm becoming more sure that this is it. Thanks Steephill and thanks for the correct name Leif, is this an updated name? I couldn't find the Morchella in my book or much on line. Thanks all for suggestions and that lovely website which I had forgotten about
I'm very pleased, one more species for an ever-growing list.
Species collecting again tonight, first moth trap of the year.
In the sticks near Peterborough
If you couldn't smell anything def not stinkhorn, had one of those along the hedgerow last year
Enjoy
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.