October Mushroom Hunting near Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Published: 28-Oct-2025 (07:33); Viewed: 73; Difficulty: 1 out of 10Rating: N/A
k
 |
Poisonous Mushrooms Identified
The walk revealed several dangerous fungi species. Among them:
• Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric) - the classic red mushroom with white dots. Iconic, beautiful, and extremely toxic.
• Amanita pantherina (Panther Cap) - brownish with pale warts on the cap, equally dangerous and hallucinogenic.
• Paxillus involutus (Brown Roll-Rim) - once considered edible but now known to cause fatal immune reactions that destroy the liver with repeated consumption.
Edible Mushrooms Collected
Amid the toxic varieties, several edible species were also found:
• Xerocomus and Suillus — soft brown boletes with a spongy underside, often found near pines and birch trees. These mushrooms turn slightly blue when damaged, a typical trait of edible boletes.
• Lactarius (Milk Caps) - considered edible after careful preparation. The “ugly milk cup” is particularly tasty once soaked and cooked for several days.
• Penny Bun (Boletus edulis) - a highly prized edible mushroom, though this time I only found close relatives with similar appearance and taste.
Calm Foraging Walk
The trip was not about filling a basket but about enjoying the forest itself - the smell of wet leaves, bird sounds, and occasional discoveries under the trees. While many mushrooms were already past their prime, the experience remained relaxing and deeply rewarding.
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle at the end of the walk added a sense of mystery to the day - ancient stones surrounded by autumn colours, a perfect closing for this October foraging story.
Conclusion
This mushroom hunting journey offered both education and enjoyment - seeing the difference between edible and poisonous species in real conditions.
If you enjoy calm nature walks, forest sounds, and real-life mushroom identification, this is a perfect autumn experience in the heart of the UK countryside.
For detailed species notes and updates, check the video description and other articles about foraging and wild food on this site.
step-by-step instructions
|
|
| Follow @HowToGD | 
|
|
|
||||
| navigation: | officials: | topics: |