Impress friends by adeptly recognising these mysterious plants and secure yourself a reputation as a really fun-guyMauve Splitting-Waxcap
When it is an old f un g i, it will not wear
purple. This Australasian specialty turns
pale yellowish as it ages.Plantpot Dapperling
This poisonous but lazy plant grows in
houseplants around the world – getting
in on the potting compost action.Golden Scruffy
Looks like a teen boy with a love of hair
gel. As confusing as a teen, too, its
genus causing debate among experts.Poison Fire Coral
A fungi without the fun – it’s caused the
deaths of several people in Japan.
Thankfully, it’s rather uncommon.Green Skinhead
An Aussie fungi, found among the roots of
gum trees. Sounds anti-establishment but
has featured on an Australian stamp.
The Hairy Tropical Goblet
An outer surface covered with hairs and a
goblet-like shape to catch rainwater. Also
wins the literal naming competition.Starfish fungus
Pretty but pungent. Known for producing an
evil-smelling slime, which attracts f lies but,
frankly, the rest of us could do without.Fragile Dapperling
Common but not coarse. With a cap
that’s often as thin and translucent as
tissue paper, it lives up to its name.Unicorn Pinkgill
This unicorn – presumably named for its
elongated point – definitely does exist,
across the Americas and in Eastern Asia.Images taken from The Book of Fungi: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World by
Peter Roberts and Shelley Evans (Ivy Press). Photography: Taylor Lockwood.- IDENTIFIER •
EXOTIC FUNGI