Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Aberdeenshire

Farinose cartilage lichen has a bushy appearance and is easy to identify by its long, slender branches. The reproductive structures are often scattered on the fungi. The lichen thrives in warm moist, mixed forests, forming on second-growth trees and shrubs.

Cladonia portentosa forms compact interwoven mats up to 6 cm tall. It is richly branched, each branch usually dividing into three but with the penultimate sometimes dividing into two. The branching is at a larger angle than that of Cladonia rangiferina.

Pseudevernia furfuracea is associated with photobionts from the green algae genus Trebouxia. It reproduces asexually by isidia. The ontogeny of isidia development and its role in CO2 gas exchange in P. furfuracea has been investigated. The preferred growing surfaces for P. furfuracea are the so-called "nutrient poor" bark trees, including birch, pine and spruce. The species has two morphologically identical varieties that are distinguished by the secondary metabolites they produce: var. ceratea Zopf. produces olivetoric acid and other physodic acids, while var. furfuracea produces physodic but not olivetoric acid. Some authors (e.g., Hale 1968) have separated the chemotypes at the species level, designating the olivetoric acid-containing specimens as Pseudevernia olivetorina, but more recent literature separates them at the varietal level.

The map lichen is a crust lichen, the thallus lies close to the ground or grows through it. The species is bright yellow to olive green. It can cover large areas on stones. The lichen is divided into small angular fields, which are separated by a black border and pull through the lichen body. At the edge of the fields black edged fruiting bodies are sunk. The appearance of this structure is reminiscent of geographically separated areas on a map. Like many lichens, it has extremely slow growth. It grows depending on the location per year only 0.25-0.6 mm radially outward. It can reach an age of over 1,000 years and can be used to date the decline of glaciers. If the growth rate at a location is known, the last ice cover can be calculated from the largest specimens.

Witch's hat mushrooms appear after summer and autumn rains, popping up in groups across fields, grasslands, and roadsides, particularly in places where the soil quality is poor. Catch them quickly to see bright orange or red colors, as the caps quickly turn jet black. They remain standing for several weeks in that glossy, stately form. Witch's hat is reported to be poisonous.

Extremely popular in many cuisines, this edible wild mushroom grows around the world near the roots of forest trees. In some regions, king bolete mushrooms are collected in great enough volumes that their sale can support entire families during the harvest season. King boletes are reported to be high in fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and several antioxidants.

Pale-footed horsehair lichen stands out from other lichens due to its growth habit. Instead of forming tufts or having a bushy growth, it drapes down with fine, pale strands. Pale-footed horsehair lichen thrives in mixed forests in areas with high humidity but is classified as vulnerable in Iceland.

Tree lungwort is a green lichen that can be found in humid areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. It grows regularly on trees, rocks, and in urban areas rich with moss. It can be used as a dye. Animals may consume tree lungwort or use it as nesting material.

The blusher mushroom is so named because it “blushes” to a pinkish red color when cut or bruised. It is found in many countries around the world, although it may not be native to the southern hemisphere. It contains a hemolytic toxin that can cause anemia if eaten.