Wild Wednesday – Plums and custard fungus
This week's Wild Wednesday takes us into the shady corners of West Sussex's woodlands to discover a truly eye-catching fungus, Plums and Custard, scientific name, Tricholomopsis rutilans.
With its vivid plum-red cap and custard-yellow gills, this mushroom looks like it belongs in a dessert bowl, but don't be fooled, it's strictly for admiring, not eating!
Plums and Custard is a saprobic fungus, meaning it feeds on decaying wood-particularly the stumps and fallen trunks of coniferous trees like pine and spruce.
It's most commonly found from July to October, thriving in moist, shaded woodland environments.
A few facts
- cap - three to fifteen centimetres wide, red-purple scales over a yellow base
- gills - bright yellow, fading with age
- stem - pale yellow with purple scales
- no distinctive smell
- despite its vibrant appearance, this mushroom is not edible-it is bitter and has been known to cause stomach upset in some people
Where to spot it
In the Arun district and wider West Sussex area, plums and custard fungi can be found in conifer plantations and mixed woodlands, especially where old pine stumps are left to decay. While not abundant in any one location, it's frequent in suitable habitats.
If you're exploring local nature reserves or woodland trails, keep an eye out for this colourful fungus nestled in mossy logs or peeking from the base of tree stumps. It may appear to grow from the ground, but it's usually attached to buried wood just beneath the surface. Spotting one is a reminder of the hidden wonders beneath our feet and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
It plays a vital role in woodland ecosystems by breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. Fungi like this are essential to forest health, as they help decompose organic matter, support biodiversity,
Explore locally
- Slindon Woods
- Angmering Park Estate
- South Downs National Park
Take a moment to look down-you might just find a splash of plum and custard among the leaf litter.
Read more here: Plums and Custard - Wild Food UK