Cookstown Wildlife Trust
Founded: November 1960
Drum Manor
© R.Irvine2011
Amanita virosa Aptly named ‘Destroying Angel’ because of the pure white colour and extremely poisonous nature, Amanita virosa does not fruit every year in Drum,but in a suitable year can be plentiful.
Agaricus augustus A very handsome fungus and an excellent edible.Known as ‘The Prince’ , Agaricus agustus is not particularly common,but occurs most years in Drum. The species has a smell of bitter almonds,and an excellent mushroomy taste.
Amanita citrina Occurs usually under beeches and smells strongly of raw potatoes. This is the variety alba,whiter than the usual variety. Do not attempt to eat-the species is slightly poisonous.
Fly agaric Amanita muscaria,Fly Agaric is found under birches and is both poisonous and hallucinogenic. This classic children’s story toadstool was once used by Inuit Medicine men to give them a high! and at one time used in milk to kill flies-thus the name-Fly Agaric.
Boletus luridiformis A striking fungus with a brown cap and strongly orange red stipe .The species is found under birches near the gardens.The flesh and pores bruise dark blue to black.
Ramaria abietina An uncommon coral-like fungus found in needle litter under conifers, in small trooping groups. The tips of its many branched stems are tinged greenish.
Chantarelle. A prize edible with apricot coloured fruiting bodies.Frequently found under beeches in Drum-but I’m not telling you where!
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Cordyceps militaris(Scarlet Caterpillar Club) Grows from dead larvae and pupae of moths and butterflies buried in soil.The fungus absorbs nutrients from the insides of the insect. Not often noticed and only occasionally seen.
The lawns at Drum are perhaps 200 years old and unfertilised. As a result they have an excellent range of waxcaps and other grassland fungi. Hygrocybe reidii smells of honey when the stem is rubbed
Lepiota aspersa-Freckled Dapperling Found in one spot in Drum,underneath tall conifers.An uncommon species and quite a striking one.
Cantharellus tubiaeformis Sometimes known as ‘yellowlegs’,often in large groups.Widespread,unusual looking with interesting gills.Closely related to the species below.