Last chance to forage: Mushroom season coming to an end

Time is running out for the UK and Ireland's mushroom season with many varieties into their last month as we hit the half-way mark of November.

Did you know there are over 15,000 species of wild mushroom growing in the UK and Ireland? Not all of them are edible but all are impacted by the weather.

Wet and humid conditions make a perfect combination for mushrooms, which is why many bloom at the start of autumn as wetter weather arrives, whilst the last summer warmth sticks around. But the season is close to ending, so if you want one last foraging trip then now is the time.

Some of the more common varieties seen in the UK and Ireland are the beefsteak fungus, giant puffball, hedgehog fungus, and oyster mushrooms which grow on tree stumps.

It should be mentioned that we also see a large variety of poisonous mushrooms at this time of year. Including the ominously named deadly webcap, death cap, and funeral bell.

Do not go wild mushroom picking without expert knowledge and never eat foraged mushrooms without seeking approval from a specialist.