At this time of the year many types of fungi can be seen on the links. There are good numbers on all areas of the golf courses. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours and should be on show until the first real frosts of the winter arrive. A selection that I have recently photographed around the two courses can be seen below.
Fly Agaric
The Fly Agaric is one of the most distinctive of all the mushrooms, with its red cap and white spots. It is quite toxic and also a hallucinogenic. This one, which was part of a small group, was photographed under the pine trees beside the 12th Broomfield hole.
Parasol
The Parasol mushroom can grow to quite a large size, about the size of a dinner plate. Quite a few have been seen this year, especially around the 7th and 8th on the Medal course.
Slippery Jack
Given its name due to the slimy nature of its cap, the Slippery Jack is normally found under pine trees. The group above were seen close to the greenkeepers sheds.
Puff Ball
Another distinctive mushroom is the Puff Ball, with large numbers found on the links this year. The white flesh which is edible when young, changes to black as the spores mature. These spores are released into the air where they are carried in the wind. This young one was seen growing to the right of the 2nd Medal fairway.
Golden Waxcap
Blackening Waxcap
Snowy Waxcap
There are over 40 varieties of Waxcaps found in Britain and come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Waxcaps prefer short grass and are intolerant of chemicals. Their presence indicates high quality unimproved grassland.
There are many more types of fungi to be seen, so if you are on the golf courses, keep a look out as you will never be far from one species or another.
Les Rae,
first Assistant,
Montrose Golf Links Limited.
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