Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.
You don't have any saved articles.
Just metres from some of Britain’s busiest roads, micro-forests of fungi sprout from the undergrowth. Mycologist Dr Mark Spencer pinpoints some striking examples he spotted in central London and explains their vital ecological role.
Autumn is the best time to look for fungi, as it's when most produce their visible fruiting body. But more than 12,000 species live around the UK and plenty of them fruit in other seasons.
Important: Some fungi are extremely poisonous. If you are thinking about eating fungi, you need to be absolutely sure they are safe.
'Make sure you get expert advice,' advises Mark, 'and join a local group of forayers to build up your experience.'