Submitted by AJ Cann on Tue, 01/10/2024 - 09:46

Giant Polypore Meripilus giganteus

The NatureSpot Photo of the Month for September is this image of a Giant Polypore, taken by NatureSpot contributor Jane Hollingworth. More...

The weather in September took a turn for the worse - unless you're a fungus! The cooler temperatures and rainfall was perfect for the production of fruiting bodies - mushrooms and toadstools if you prefer - the obvious bit of the fungus you can see. At present it looks like we may be in for a bumper year for fungi, so get out and get looking. Many fungi are difficult to identify, and if you're going to submit a record please make sure it includes the key ID features:

  • Always note the substrate or host-plant on which the fungus is growing, and the habitat. To identify many large species, it is helpful to get a good photograph of the cap (from the top), the gills or spore-producing structures (from underneath) and the stipe or stem (from the side) - three images from three angles, rather than images from much the same angle. 
  • Always note the texture of cap and stipe; the smell; and the presence of any staining or 'milk' produced when the cap, gills, stipe or body of the fungus is bruised. 
  • The colour of the spores can be very helpful.  It is best seen by taking a spore-print from a collected specimen - advice on doing this is in many of the resources below.  For some fungi, microscopic examination of the spores may be needed for identification.

You don't need a fancy camera to take good photos - the best camera is the one you have with you, but read our Photography Help page: https://www.naturespot.org/photography
If you'd like to be a future NatureSpot Photo of the Month winner, submit your records!