Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

A group of Fly Agaric fungi

The Fly Agaric is one of the most distinctive species of fungi. Common and widespread in the New Forest, its white stem and bright red, white flecked cap usually appears quite late in the autumn, usually under birch, with which it develops a mutually beneficial relationship - the tree absorbs nutrients via the fungus, whilst the fungus receives carbohydrates and water from the tree.

Broken up and soaked in milk, Fly Agarics are said to be effective fly deterrents – hence the name - and they were also used to combat bugs, which gave them the alternative name of Bug Agaric.

Use as a hallucinogen and intoxicant has been recorded, as has reputed curative properties for sunstroke, chilblains, chorea, bunions and cataracts. The effects of consumption are, however, notoriously unpredictable and have been known to result in death.

Consequently, it is best left well alone!

Warning: refer to a good, comprehensive fungus field guide to confirm identification, and only eat those species known without any doubt whatsoever to be edible - people have died after eating certain poisonous specimens.

References:
Mushrooms and other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe - Roger Phillips
The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-western Europe - Marcel Bon
Fungi of Britain and Europe - Stefan Buczacki and John Wilkinson
The MacDonald Encyclopedia of Mushrooms and Toadstools - Giovanni Pacioni
Fungi of the New Forest: A Mycota - Edited by Gordon Dickson and Ann Leonard
A Passion for Mushrooms - Antonio Carluccio