Fungi

Portugal Wildlife

Guide to the Fungi, Slime Moulds, Lichens and Algae of a Wildlife Reserve in Baixo Alentejo

Gallery of some of the fungi species found on the wildlife reserve. All the photographs are taken on the reserve.

Species	Photographs	Photographs	Photographs
	Fungi
Field Mushroom Agaricus campestris
Common Fieldcap Agrocybe pediades
Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria Rosalgar	An easily identified poisonous fungus.
Hygroscopic Earthstar Astraeus hygrometricus Estrela da terra
Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus Coprino cabeludo		This fungus is edible when young. But correct identification is critical !	The name "Inkcap" comes from the black droplets formed on the cap when the fruiting body 'self-dissolves' (autolyses).
Slender Parasol Lepiota mastoidea

Meadow Puffball Lycoperdon pratense
Parasol Fungus Macrolepiota procera Púcara ; Frade	This fungus is edible when young. But correct identification is critical as a smaller species of Macrolepiota is poisonous to some people !	The Parasol is a Saprobic fungus. This means it feeds on dead organic matter. The term Saprophyte used to be applied but this term is now out of fashion. Some plants also used to be called Saprohytes - but as they cannot break down organic matter this term is no longer correct. So the term Saprophyte is now obsolete as there are not any - no plants and no fungi !


Earthball Fungus Pisolithus arrhizus
Winter Russula Russula cremoricolor
Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum
Many-Rooted Earthball Scleroderma polyrhizum Esclerodermia de muitas raízes

Slime Moulds

Scrambled Egg Slime Mould

Fuliga septica

Scrambled Egg Slime Mould.

Slime Moulds such as this one are important organisms that contribute to the decomposition of dead vegetation such as fallen twigs from trees. So they are a key part of recycling of dead organic matter.